Stream & Scream: A First Time Look at “Donnie Darko” For Its 25th Anniversary
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 2001 cult classic “Donnie Darko".” I wanted to include this for my Stream & Scream series for a couple reasons: A) it’s a good choice due to its eerie atmosphere and B) I have never seen it. So, since it’s available on Hulu (as of working on this review), I finally decided to check it out and while it’s intriguing and weird at times, it can also be on the confusing side.
In 1988, a teenager named Donnie Darko sleepwalks out of his house one night and sees a giant, demonic-looking rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days. When Donnie returns home, he finds that a jet engine has crashed into his bedroom.
Is Donnie living in a parallel universe, is he suffering from mental illness - or will the world really end?
Audiences have historically been deeply divided over “Donnie Darko,” turning the 2001 film from an initial box office failure into a definitive cult classic. Because of its surreal, complex narrative and open-ended conclusion, viewers generally fall into two distinct camps: those who view it as a profound masterpiece and those who find it really confusing. Now, while it’s an interesting watch at times, it’s also really confusing (and probably would need another viewing to understand it more) so I’m a nit in the middle of the two previously mentioned camps.
“Donnie Darko” delivers a unique blend of sci-fi mysticism, psychological depth and some 1980s nostalgia. Even though some of the film can be confusing, I was highly intrigued by its cryptic, surreal and eerie atmosphere. The complex, non-linear storyline weaves together time travel, parallel universes, wormholes and questions about destiny versus free will. Now that I’m thinking about it while I’m typing this review, a second viewing is definitely in the cards!
Jake Gyllenhaal definitely did a great job in his breakout performance. He perfectly captures a blend of dark teen angst, vulnerability, alienation, and confusion, without making the character feel cliched. The supporting cast, which includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore and Patrick Swayze, also have their own little stand out moments.
And quick side note: I had no idea that this film also marked the film debut of Seth Rogen!
The film boasts unforgettable visual elements - most notable Frank the Rabbit, the menacing, demonic-looking figure that guides Donnie. These surreal visual components, combined with stylized cinematography (like the physical liquid spears showing people’s future paths), gives the film a highly distinctive, dreamlike aesthetic. The music is also a major highlight, especially with the cover of “Mad World” during the film’s final moments.
The 2001 cult classic also delivers some iconic, stand out moments, such as the movie theater scene with Donnie, Frank and Gretchen, the moment Donnie starts seeing the “liquid spears” (or time vectors), the classroom debate over the lifeline exercise (Fear and Love) and the final moments of the film.
When the film premiered in 2001, both critics and audiences found it deeply confusing because it blended multiple complex genres without really giving clear, on-screen explanations for its rules. I’ve read online that the film’s Director’s Cut gives a clearer look at the confusing moments.
“Donnie Darko” had a brutal, slow commercial start at the box office, but it eventually grew into a beloved global cult classic praised for its eerie atmosphere, complex sci-fi mystery and Jake Gyllenhaal's breakout performance. The film found massive success later on home video/DVD, streaming and through late night screenings.
MPA: Rated R for language, some drug use and violence (running time 113 minutes)
Initial release date: October 26, 2001
Streaming: Hulu/Amazon Prime/YouTube/Tubi/Pluto TV/various PVOD services (as of working on this review)
At the wrap party for the film, Seth Rogen and Jake Gyllenhaal agreed that they had no idea what the movie was about.
The Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA - where the film's theater scenes were shot - has an annual tradition of playing Donnie Darko on Easter.
Jake Gyllenhaal uses the strategy of rarely blinking to enhance his psychotic creepiness (as he is driven by Frank).
On the set of Charlie's Angels (2000), Drew Barrymore and Richard Kelly agreed that her production company, Flower Films, would produce this film for $4.5 million (and that Barrymore would play Miss Pomeroy). Kelly says that if Barrymore hadn't stepped in, the movie would have either gone straight to video or cable television via Starz.
The original advertising material featured a crashing plane. Opening close to September 11 2001, naturally this was all pulled, resulting in the film tanking at the box office due to lack of advertising. It gained its audience when it was released on DVD, becoming a runaway hit and attracting cult attention.
Seth Rogen's feature film debut.
Newmarket Films, the movie's U.S. distributor, approached Richard Kelly about doing a Director's Cut. He accepted the offer, and did the re-edit with editor Sam Bauer in nine days.
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