Donnie Darko is a science fiction psychological thriller film directed by Richard Kelly. The movie follows the titular character, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal), a troubled teenager who lives in suburban Virginia in 1988. Donnie is undergoing therapy for his erratic behavior and is heavily medicated.
One night, Donnie sleepwalks and meets a large bunny rabbit, who calls himself Frank (James Duval), that tells him that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. Shortly after, Donnie narrowly escapes a bizarre accident: a plane engine crashes into his bedroom, but he had been sleepwalking in the forest at the time.
Frank continues to appear to Donnie, manipulating him to commit a series of crimes, including flooding his school and burning down the house of a local motivational speaker. Donnie also develops a relationship with Gretchen (Jena Malone), a new girl in school who helps him deal with his visions.
Throughout the movie, Donnie grapples with the nature of time and reality, and wrestles with the idea that his own actions may be causing the end of the world. He also investigates a strange book given to him by his English teacher (Drew Barrymore), which explores the concept of time travel.
The film features a stellar cast, including Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle, Mary McDonnell, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, and is known for its haunting soundtrack, which includes songs by Tears for Fears, Joy Division, and INXS.
Released in 2001, Donnie Darko was initially a box office disappointment but has since become a cult classic, praised for its unconventional storytelling, compelling performances, and thought-provoking themes. The film was also followed up with a sequel, S. Darko, in 2009, but it was not well-received.
