Donnie Darko (2001) by Richard Kelly - a review

Donnie Darko (2001) by Richard Kelly

Hello to everyone and anyone that is reading this !! I hope you all have a wonderful October as of right now !! I have been meaning to watch this film for a while, partly because of the still above, haha!! 

First and foremost I’d like to inform that this review will be filled with spoilers so if you wish to not be spoiled, please feel free to click off, watch the film first and return back !! or not, up to you :)

Donnie Darko is one of those films that just sticks with you, it lingers in your mind after the credits rolls. It’s strange, moody, and kind of beautiful in this quiet, unsettling way. The visuals are incredible - every frame feels like it’s saying something, even when no one’s talking. The editing style is super cool too, really sharp and rhythmic, which makes all the weirdness feel intentional instead of messy. And all those little pop culture references sprinkled throughout? Love. It makes the story feel grounded in the real world, which makes the surreal parts hit even harder.

The writing is seriously something else. There’s so much foreshadowing and symbolism that even after finishing it, I felt like I was still piecing things together. At first, Donnie thinks everything happening to him is because of his mental health. But as the film goes on, it’s clear there’s more to it - it’s like he’s caught in some bigger plan, a prophecy that he didn’t ask for but has to fulfill anyway. Supposedly, Grandma Death saw it too, in her own weird way.

The voices in his head feel like a mix of paranoia and destiny. They’re not just noise; they’re reminders, almost like the universe whispering, “You have a job to do.” And Frank… oh man, Frank. He’s such a haunting figure. I kept going back and forth on what he really represents - the future, Donnie’s subconscious, or maybe the inevitable consequences if Donnie doesn’t act. Through Frank, we see the worst outcomes: his girlfriend dying, his mom and sister gone. Frank isn’t just a creepy rabbit - he’s a sign of what’s waiting if Donnie doesn’t make the sacrifice.

What really got me is how everything comes full circle. When the loop resets, everyone seems to feel something - a nightmare they can’t fully remember. His mom, his sister, Gretchen, Frank - they all wake up with this weird heaviness, like a bad dream that’s too real to shake off. It’s subtle, but it makes the ending hit harder. A collective de javu! 

And honestly, that’s what I love about this movie. It never gives you neat answers. It blurs the line between fate, mental illness, time travel, and sacrifice, and just lets you sit with it. “Why Donnie?” - maybe there’s no real answer. Maybe it just had to be him.

And honestly, I get Donnie Darko. The confusion, the weight of knowing too much, the feeling that the world’s ending but nobody else sees it - it’s weirdly relatable. It’s tragic, but also kind of beautiful.

Let me know what you guys thought of the movie down in the comments !! I'd like to know all of your two scents in the film :) your own theory, analysis, etc !!