Donnie Darko
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
Donnie Darko

"28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds... that is when the world will end."

19 January 2001 United States of America 114 min ⭐ 7.8 (13,095)
Director: Richard Kelly
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, James Duval, Drew Barrymore, Beth Grant
Drama Fantasy Mystery
Determinism vs. Free Will Destruction as Creation Fear vs. Love Isolation and Alienation
Budget: $4,500,000
Box Office: $7,500,000

Donnie Darko - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds. That is when the world will end.

— Frank

Context:

Spoken by Frank when Donnie first meets him on the golf course at night.

Meaning:

The precise deadline for the collapse of the Tangent Universe. It sets the ticking clock for the entire film.

Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?

— Frank

Context:

During a vision in the movie theater while watching The Evil Dead.

Meaning:

A reversal of Donnie's question ("Why are you wearing that stupid bunny suit?"). It suggests that human existence is just a costume or a temporary state compared to the spiritual/time-travel reality Frank inhabits.

Every living creature on earth dies alone.

— Roberta Sparrow (Grandma Death)

Context:

Donnie whispers this into Roberta Sparrow's ear, and she later says it to him.

Meaning:

This whisper haunts Donnie, fueling his central fear. Overcoming this fear is key to his final sacrifice.

I hope that when the world comes to an end, I can breathe a sigh of relief, because there will be so much to look forward to.

— Donnie Darko

Context:

Part of Donnie's letter to Roberta Sparrow at the end of the film.

Meaning:

Donnie's acceptance of his fate. He realizes that death is not the end, but a transition or a necessary act for a greater good.

Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion!

— Kitty Farmer

Context:

Kitty Farmer yells this at Donnie's mother during an argument about the dance troupe.

Meaning:

A line that epitomizes the absurdity of the suburban adults' misplaced priorities. It has become one of the film's most quoted comedic lines.