You can never go too far.|Oct. 26, 2001|USA|114 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Fantasy;Mystery
Description: After narrowly avoiding a strange accident, a troubled teenager begins to experience disturbing visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him into committing a series of crimes.
Donnie Darko, portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, is a troubled teen living in suburban Maryland. Struggling with schizophrenia and a history of violence, he has recently stopped taking his medication, leading to episodes of sleepwalking. His parents, Rose and Eddie, along with his sisters, Elizabeth and Samantha, are deeply concerned for his well-being. During a heated family dinner, Elizabeth reveals that Donnie has ceased taking his medication, prompting Rose to confront him. Feeling guilty, Donnie resumes his medication. However, on the night of October 2nd, he sleepwalks and encounters Frank, a mysterious figure in a menacing bunny costume. Frank informs Donnie that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. That same night, a jet engine crashes into the Darko family’s home, destroying Donnie’s bedroom. Had he not been sleepwalking, he would have been killed.
On the way to his therapist, Dr. Thurman, Donnie and his father nearly hit Roberta Sparrow, known as “Grandma Death,” an elderly woman who wanders the streets. She whispers to Donnie that all living beings ultimately die alone, leaving him troubled and questioning the meaning of life.
Later, Frank appears to Donnie in a hallucination and convinces him to flood his high school by breaking open the water main with an ax. Donnie also vandalizes the school’s bronze mascot statue and spray-paints “They made me do it” on the sidewalk. School is canceled, and on his way home, Donnie meets Gretchen, a new student. She shares her troubled past, including her abusive stepfather, while Donnie opens up about his own struggles and intelligence. Despite finding him unusual, Gretchen is drawn to his uniqueness.
Cast director: Richard Kelly
Cast actor: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, James Duval, Beth Grant, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, Katharine Ross, Patrick Swayze
Original name: Donnie Darko