Donnie Darko

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1:35

Donnie Darko

R

In Theaters Oct 2

1h 53m

Drama

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

125 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take Time's Arrow for a ride. After surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to explore what it means to be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny.

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In Theaters Oct 2

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Critics Consensus

Richard Kelly's debut feature Donnie Darko is a daring, original vision, packed with jarring ideas and intelligence and featuring a remarkable performance from Jake Gyllenhaal as the troubled title character.

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Richard Kelly

Director

Jake Gyllenhaal

Donnie Darko

Jena Malone

Gretchen Ross

Drew Barrymore

Ms. Karen Pomeroy

James Duval

Frank

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Elizabeth Darko

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Justin Chang

Los Angeles Times

03/31/2017

The movie feels perfectly timed to coincide with our nation's latest flirtation with the apocalypse.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

01/10/2017

5/5

Donnie Darko rightly made a star of Gyllenhaal.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

12/29/2016

The script makes variable sense, but so does life.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 22

3.5/4

Like Being John Malkovich and 2001: A Space Odyssey and too few others, this is one of those mind-melting cinematic achievements.

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Paul Kanieski

KSQD Community Radio

07/21/2023

Jake Gyllenhaal, with an impish grin that exudes boyish charm, gives a breakout performance as Donnie Darko.

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Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

03/29/2023

One of the best homages to Back to the Future. [Full review in Spanish]

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Logan Bushaw

03/27/2025

MORE RE-RELEASES PLEASE

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rylee

03/23/2025

i love this movie so much. 🤍

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K G

@KatyG-S Jul 28

One of a kind to be on the thriller movie list. It might feel too underrated, but something is not really underrated when I saw Jake Gyllenhaal, the world of thrillers is home to him after I saw him in "The Day After Tomorrow". And he will always be that one: That one is the protagonist, who is feeling something wrong & must do something before it is too late. In this case, a random fantastical thing he keeps imagining; a man in a scary rabbit costume... This flash implies something to him, a warning to him, that in time, the world will end (the date is October 31st). That is where we get the origin story of why he became malicious. Did anyone see Seth Rogen & Jerry Trainor in there? Highlight to seeing "The Evil Dead" in it. I should watch "Primer" next

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Cristopher luis R

@RT71373402 Jul 28

Una joya que no fue valorada en su tiempo por el atentado del las torres gemelas

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David H

@rivrocks Jul 26

What a weird little movie. Some good performances, but it's just a little too random. Mr. Kelly's undoubtedly profound deep thoughts got lost in the conceptual quagmire.

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Alex G

@RT15582241 Jul 19

So I will get hate for this but Donnie Darko isn't that good. It's fun to see how many of today's stars are in it. The script is mid. The acting is pretty solid. I am not sure what people love about it, but it was fine.

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Synopsis

In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take Time's Arrow for a ride. After surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to explore what it means to be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny.

Director: Richard Kelly
Producer: Sean McKittrick, Nancy Juvonen
Screenwriter: Richard Kelly
Distributor: Newmarket Film Group
Production Co: Adam Fields Productions, Flower Films, Pandora Cinema, Gaylord Films
Rating: R (Some Drug Use|Language|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 26, 2001, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 25, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $205.8K
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby SR, Surround, Dolby Stereo, Dolby A
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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