A haunting, atmospheric blend of sci-fi, teen angst, and metaphysical mystery. It feels like a waking dream where suburban normality dissolves into a blue-tinted nightmare of time travel, sacrificial love, and inevitable destiny.
Donnie Darko
"28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds... that is when the world will end."
Director:
Richard Kelly
Cast:
Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, James Duval, Drew Barrymore, Beth Grant
Drama
Fantasy
Mystery
Budget:
$4,500,000
Box Office:
$7,500,000
Donnie Darko - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details
Easter Eggs
Frank's face in the mirror
Throughout the film, brief flashes of Frank's rabbit mask can be seen reflected in mirrors and surfaces before he fully reveals himself.
The Marquee: The Last Temptation of Christ
The movie theater marquee shows The Last Temptation of Christ playing. This parallels Donnie's journey as a messianic figure who is tempted to turn away from his sacrificial destiny.
Man on Mars
A boy in the classroom scene reads a poem about a 'boy on Mars'. This foreshadows the isolation and otherworldly nature of Donnie's experience.
Carpathian Ridge
The name of the high school is likely a reference to the region in Europe associated with Dracula and supernatural folklore, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.