Donnie Darko

Name: Donnie Darko
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery
Released: October 26, 2001
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell

2001

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 503 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 503 Ratings

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Donnie Darko

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Movie Details & Credits

Newmarket Films | Release Date: October 26, 2001 | R

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell

Summary: A genre-busting fable that blasts the American suburban drama into a wildly imaginative realm of time travel, alternative universes and the manipulation of one's fate. (IFC Films)

Director: Richard Kelly

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

Rating: R

Runtime: 113 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

New Times (L.A.) Jean Oppenheimer

Like gathering storm clouds, Donnie Darko creates an atmosphere of eerie calm and mounting menace -- stands as one of the most exceptional movies of 2001. Read full review

Joe Donnelly

It is funny, sad and beautiful. And it's right on time. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

David Lynch lite. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Most experienced filmmakers wouldn't even attempt a film that's so blackly funny, that so rapidly shifts genres and tone, and that layers late '80s cultural references so thickly, from "E.T." to Smurfs. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Has plenty of problems. But most stem from a young filmmaker overswinging on his first time up to the plate and hitting a deep fly out rather than a home run. Read full review

Loren King

The debut feature from 26-year-old director Richard Kelly shows plenty of promise, but it's somewhat self-involved and won't appeal to audiences who like a straightforward -- even if fantastical -- narrative.

Michael Wilmington

Just another self-absorbed teen chronicle, with the added twist of a little time travel and a surprise ending. Read full review

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User Reviews

MethosTR

Aug 21, 2014

Multiverse theory, time travel, and metaphysics? I'm sold!

As a physics major, these concepts are of great excitement to me, and this movie delivers on that. An incredibly intricate plot that excels at warping your mind and makes you consider the possibilities and implications of timeMultiverse theory, time travel, and metaphysics? I'm sold!

As a physics major, these concepts are of great excitement to me, and this movie delivers on that.

An incredibly intricate plot that excels at warping your mind and makes you consider the possibilities and implications of time travel.

I won't go into the details of what the movie presents, but I assure you that this movie will likely blow your mind.

The direction and production of this master-work are pretty much flawless. As are the performances of the ensemble cast.

Put simply, this movie is one of my personal favorites of all-time, and is in my opinion a true classic.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Zac03

Aug 8, 2021

All I can say is: I was mindf***ed. Great acting, creepy atmosphere, and incredible twists. It all culminates in such a terrific climax that my mind reeled. If you appreciate movies, see Donnie Darko.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jfrotylpe532

Dec 2, 2012

A mixture of horror, drama, psychological thriller, comedy,and brief action make this a must see movie especially with movie stars that are randomly famous appearing here and there.
A+

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

AlvaradoKTA

Jun 20, 2012

Donnie Darko Is not a straight forward film, it is very complex, which makes it hard to stay focused as it may get boring. It is a smart and interesting and not to mention trippy.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

HaithamB

Aug 26, 2014

Donnie Darko is an ambitious film, and it knows what it wants from the viewer, your attention to detail and a re - watch, because one viewing of the movie is not enough to understand it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JJ2FAS4U

Dec 29, 2021

----------------------------------6.8/10-----------------------------------

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MrRickstur

Jan 23, 2018

When you have a main character time traveling across parallel universes, and the film has a dead-serious mood, I just can't help but laugh lol. The director should just stick with what he actually understands, rather than pretend like he knows how wormholes and dimensions work. Also, if theWhen you have a main character time traveling across parallel universes, and the film has a dead-serious mood, I just can't help but laugh lol. The director should just stick with what he actually understands, rather than pretend like he knows how wormholes and dimensions work. Also, if the audience requires online discussions in order to understand just a portion of a movie's meaning, then that's a clear sign of an unsatisfactory movie with very poor writing and execution. This movie is one of the best examples of that. It should've been able to stand on its own without much outside research. Overall, the movie is edgy, pretentious, confusing, nonsensical, filled with pseudoscience, and struggles to give any sort of clarity in its messages. On top of that, it's really really boring..… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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91	#91 Best Movie of 2001
10	#10 Most Discussed Movie of 2001
20	#20 Most Shared Movie of 2001