Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut

Name: Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: July 23, 2004
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 88
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell

2004

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 371 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 371 Ratings

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Donnie Darko

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Movie Details & Credits

Newmarket Films | Release Date: July 23, 2004 | R

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell

Summary: This Director's Cut from writer/director Richard Kelly features 20 minutes of never-before-seen footage.

Director: Richard Kelly

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Dennis Lim

Obsessives will be familiar with the "new" material (almost all available on the original DVD), which elaborates on the time-travel metaphysics and tightens the emotional screws. Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) shares one additional tender exchange with each family member Read full review

100

Kevin Thomas

“Donnie Darko" was one of the best pictures released in 2001. Now that it has returned in a 20-minute longer--and richer -- director's cut, it seems sure to be ranked as one of the key American films of the decade. Read full review

100

David Sterritt

The director's cut of this 2001 cult fantasy is a deliriously subtle exploration of storytelling possibilities, and a deliciously wry teen-pic to boot. Brilliant. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

The longer film makes Donnie's intentions clearer, explains the time-travel theme better and also leaves us in no doubt as to Frank's identity. Read full review

Leighton Klein

The director's cut has been getting a much warmer critical reception than the original release, but not necessarily because it's significantly better. Read full review

Lisa Alspector

This surreal, subversive teen drama tanked at the box office but has since become a cult favorite, prompting this new release with 20 minutes of additional footage. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Immensely moving and strikingly original, Kelly's story of a brilliant, disturbed teen (Jake Gyllenhaal) drowning in the cultural morass of the 1980s now feels bloated. Read full review

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User Reviews

FrankS.

Jan 20, 2007

My favorite movie of all time. I saw it for the first time when I was 20 and it changed my life. I had never identified with a film character like this before, and doubt that I ever will. I think you owe it to yourself to experience this movie. Uniquely American and flawlessly executed.

6 of 6 users found this helpful

Gamer147

Oct 5, 2013

Amazingly well done. A bit too subtle (would've been a ten) but still an amazing journey and experience. Actors out-performed it, the actor that played Donnie played him just perfect. Music was pretty good too.
This is NOT light watching, if you miss anything the movie really gets ruined;Amazingly well done. A bit too subtle (would've been a ten) but still an amazing journey and experience. Actors out-performed it, the actor that played Donnie played him just perfect. Music was pretty good too.
This is NOT light watching, if you miss anything the movie really gets ruined; watch it in full, enjoy the complications.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ConnorB.

Oct 21, 2006

This isn

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Smally

Feb 4, 2006

liked it alot both its inner perspective and outer spective views on reality and life, also the wake up part clearly was reference to the kundalini awakening, donnie suffers trauma then his kundalini wakes up, he also predicts his own death as a result of this sudden out pour of energy liked it alot both its inner perspective and outer spective views on reality and life, also the wake up part clearly was reference to the kundalini awakening, donnie suffers trauma then his kundalini wakes up, he also predicts his own death as a result of this sudden out pour of energy within the body.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

mbeckford

Oct 27, 2020

A complete mind-bender of a movie that put Jake Gyllenhall on the map, introduced the creepiest rabbit custom of all time, and may make you surprisingly tear up to a remake of Tears for Fears "Mad World."

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Bshop

Aug 16, 2014

Now a cult classic. I watch this movie every year at least once, sometimes within a few months of each other. Remains current throughout the years.
Memorable and sticks with me every time I watch it. So many experiences are relatable - the awkwardness in high school, the girlfriends, theNow a cult classic. I watch this movie every year at least once, sometimes within a few months of each other. Remains current throughout the years.
Memorable and sticks with me every time I watch it. So many experiences are relatable - the awkwardness in high school, the girlfriends, the bullies, and time travel....well maybe not the last one, but everything else.
In summary, I would rent it or borrow it first to make sure you "get it", after you should buy it because like I said, it's worth a watch every year or more. I bought it a few years ago - buy the Director's Cut if you like the extra features, but not really necessary for the effect.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jesus_Saves

Jan 17, 2023

I could not even get through the halfway point of this movie on two separate watching occasions. All the characters are unlikable and obnoxious.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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