Donnie Darko (2001)

Donnie Darko (2001)

A teen’s troubled mind reflects a troubled world.

Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars

Plot: Donnie, a disturbed high school boy, sees a demonic bunny that tells him the world will end in 28 days. It soon becomes unclear what is real and what is hallucination.

Analysis: Donnie is troubled. Is it because he’s too smart for his own good? Because he’s losing his mind? The medication he’s taking?

This movie was super weird. It feels like you’re watching things unfold in a haze, likely meant to reflect the haze inside Donnie’s mind, whether that’s due to medication, delusion, or something else.

There’s an interesting exploration of free-will, destiny, God, and loneliness. Donnie contemplates whether our paths are predetermined, if time travel is possible, and if we are truly alone.

I should mention that I watched the original theatrical cut, not the director’s cut, which apparently contains more explanation and lore. This is an angsty teen movie with some interesting themes, but I wouldn’t specifically recommend it.