Overview
A troubled teen grapples with reality and the supernatural in a haunting journey of self-discovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- eerie
- dreamy
- late night viewing
- halloween
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Richard Kelly's daring, intelligent science-fiction vision, eerie atmosphere, and Jake Gyllenhaal's breakthrough performance, while some found the plot incoherent and the ending unsatisfying.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Donnie's visions, hypnosis, supernatural encounters, and temporal disturbances support multiple readings of what is real.
The suburban school, family home, and Halloween setting are transformed by the falling engine and Frank's threatening rabbit apparition.
Donnie's actions are shaped by apparent time-loop forces while the story repeatedly questions whether he retains meaningful choice.
Donnie clashes with family, teachers, and classmates while his mental health struggles overlap with inexplicable supernatural experiences.
Films like Donnie Darko, and why
The Butterfly Effect
Shares nonlinear science fiction mystery, adolescent alienation, and unsettling questions about reality and destiny.
The Cell
Shares dreamlike psychological horror, suburban unease, fractured reality, and an emotionally intense young protagonist.
The Sixth Sense
Shares melancholic coming-of-age drama, supernatural ambiguity, and a troubled teenager confronting hidden forces.
Primer
Shares cerebral time-bending science fiction, metaphysical speculation, and a mystery structured around uncertain causality.
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Kelly
- Release Date
- 2001-01-19
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (13790)
Cast
- Jake Gyllenhaal
- Jena Malone
- James Duval
- Drew Barrymore
- Beth Grant
- Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Mary McDonnell
- Holmes Osborne
- Noah Wyle
- Katharine Ross
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Donnie Darko about?
- A troubled suburban teenager is drawn into a cryptic time-bending mystery involving a falling jet engine and a sinister rabbit apparition.
- What is Donnie Darko like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Donnie Darko as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Donnie Darko violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Donnie Darko as mild.
- What did critics think of Donnie Darko?
- Critics broadly praised Richard Kelly's daring, intelligent science-fiction vision, eerie atmosphere, and Jake Gyllenhaal's breakthrough performance, while some found the plot incoherent and the ending unsatisfying.
- Which films are like Donnie Darko?
- Films with a similar feel include The Butterfly Effect, The Cell, The Sixth Sense, and Primer.
- How long is Donnie Darko?
- Donnie Darko runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch Donnie Darko?
- In United States, Donnie Darko streams on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
