Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut
Newmarket Films | Release Date: July 23, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
88
METASCORE
Universal acclaim based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
15
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Village VoiceDennis 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
Christian Science MonitorDavid 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
100
Los Angeles TimesKevin 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
Dallas ObserverGregory Weinkauf
In this bolder, longer new cut, characters are allowed to finish scenes previously left as DVD extras, effects are creepier, and the theories of "the Tangent Universe" are explored in greater depth. Friends and neighbors, this is a Great American Movie. Read full review
90
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Contains about 10 additional minutes and is as fabulous and enjoyable as ever. To be honest, I didn't even notice the new material, having not seen the original film since its 2001 release. I just saw a film that works beautifully and has held together well. Read full review
90
Washington PostAnn Hornaday
If Kelly felt it necessary to add the new material, that's all to the good. It just means there's more to love. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
With 20 additional minutes of screen time, the director's cut of Richard Kelly's genre-splicing "Donnie Darko" offers new viewers a second chance to discover his mind-bending masterwork. Read full review
88
Boston GlobeLeighton 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
88
Charlotte ObserverLawrence 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
80
Chicago ReaderLisa 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
80
EmpireDan Jolin
If you're returning for more Donnie, you'll still have tears in your eyes come the sublime Mad World conclusion. If it's your first viewing, you should still be wowed by an astounding masterpiece. But this is undoubtedly the lesser of the two cuts, and since you have the choice, you should stick with version one. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
The director's cut adds footage that enriches and extends the material but doesn't alter its tone. It adds footnotes that count down to a deadline, but without explaining the nature of the deadline or the usefulness of the countdown. Read full review
75
Portland OregonianM. E. Russell
Longer cut's slapdash additions make a cool, ambiguous film more literal; original 2001 version is far better. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleWalter Addiego
To members of the Darko cult, this may not be an improvement, but it could help this compelling and extremely moving film find the audience it deserves. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsElizabeth 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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