--- title: Donnie Darko (Film) slug: donnie-darko-film-da0c4 url: /detay/donnie-darko-film-da0c4 type: article language: English entity: primary: Donnie Darko (Film) type: article disambiguation: Donnie Darko: Cult classic sci-fi thriller. Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this mind-bending time travel drama. categories: - name: Psychology slug: psikoloji url: /kategori/psikoloji tags: - Cult Classic - Psychological thriller - Time Travel - Richard Kelly - Donnie Darko author: Nida Üstün created_at: 2025-05-25T23:07:53.880720+03:00 updated_at: 2025-06-26T13:53:08.834925+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/25/TEf7jKe8IchJKA71CjU7kYRoUfyibQfl.jpeg --- # Donnie Darko (Film) ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Donnie Darko ![Unknown.jpeg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/25/JcEGbJF2SC6uiPwgbaJVkUDIfMsANDd6.jpeg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Producer(s) | Sean McKittrick | | Language(s) | English | | IMDb Rating(Text) | 8.0 | | Cast(s) | Jake Gyllenhaal Jena Malone Drew Barrymore James Duval Maggie Gyllenhaal | | Director(s) | Richard Kelly | | Genre | Sean McKittrick Nancy Juvonen Adam Fields | | Duration | 113 minutes | | Release Date(s)(Text) | October 26,2001 | ## Article Content ***Donnie Darko**** *is a 2001 film written and directed by Richard Kelly, combining the genres of science fiction, psychological thriller, and drama. Set in 1980s America, the film focuses on the experiences of a young high school student named Donnie, revolving around mental disorder, [time travel](/en/detay/back-to-the-future-movie-1985/llms.txt), and perception of reality. Despite being made on a low budget, the film gained a cult following and attracted attention with Jake Gyllenhaal’s lead performance. ### **Plot** [Donnie Darko](/en/detay/karanlik-yolculuk-film-a00c0/llms.txt) is a smart but mentally troubled high school student living with his family in a suburban town in Virginia. The film begins when Donnie leaves his house one night; during this time, a jet engine crashes into his home, but Donnie miraculously survives. After the incident, Donnie starts communicating with an imaginary figure named Frank, who wears a rabbit costume. Frank tells Donnie that the world will end in 28 days. Influenced by this prophecy, Donnie begins to question concepts of time and causality, becoming central to a series of supernatural events. ### **Thematic Structure** The film is built around philosophical and psychological themes such as time travel, determinism, free will, and mental illness. The schizophrenic symptoms experienced by the main character blur the lines between reality and imagination as the narrative intertwines with science fiction elements. Additionally, alienation from the superficial order of American suburban life, as well as questioning of the education system and religion-based moral values, are explored throughout the film via various characters. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzLn8sYeM9o) *Donnie Darko Trailer (YouTube)* ### **Production and Release Information** Donnie Darko is an American production written and directed by Richard Kelly. The producers are Sean McKittrick, Nancy Juvonen, and Adam Fields. Cinematography was done by Steven Poster, and the music composed by Michael Andrews. The production was completed in 2000, but the film was released shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, which limited its initial audience. The 113-minute film was shot in English and premiered in the U.S. on October 26, 2001. ### **Cast** **Jake Gyllenhaal **– Donnie Darko **Jena Malone **– Gretchen Ross **Maggie Gyllenhaal **– Elizabeth Darko **Mary McDonnell **– Rose Darko **Holmes Osborne** – Eddie Darko **Drew Barrymore** – Karen Pomeroy (teacher) **Patrick Swayze **– Jim Cunningham **Beth Grant** – Kitty Farmer **James Duval **– Frank ### **Release and International Impact** Donnie Darko premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Although it initially achieved limited box office success, over time it reached a wide audience through DVD and online streaming, becoming a cult classic. The film is frequently analyzed in academic circles for its themes of youth, time travel, existential inquiries, and psychological disorders. The director’s cut released in 2004 added new scenes and explanatory texts, clarifying the narrative further. ### **Awards and Nominations** **Awards Won** Sitges – Catalonia International Film Festival (2001): Best Screenplay – Richard Kelly San Diego Film Critics Society (2001): Best Original Screenplay – Richard Kelly Sweden Fantastic Film Festival (2001): Audience Award – Best Film Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival (2002): Silver Scream Award Gérardmer Film Festival (2002): Première Award Cinénygma – Luxembourg International Film Festival (2002): Audience Award Toronto Film Critics Association (2002): Special Recognition Chlotrudis Awards (2003): Best Actor – Jake Gyllenhaal, Best Original Screenplay – Richard Kelly Australian Film Critics Association (2003): Best Foreign Film (English) **Nominations** Sundance Film Festival (2001): Grand Jury Prize – Best Drama Independent Spirit Awards (2002): Best First Feature – Richard Kelly, Best First Screenplay – Richard Kelly, Best Male Lead – Jake Gyllenhaal Chlotrudis Awards (2003): Best Film, Best Director – Richard Kelly London Critics Circle Film Awards (2003): Film of the Year Online Film Critics Society (2002): Best Breakthrough Director – Richard Kelly ## Academic Sources and References 1. Beyazperde. “Donnie Darko – Film Information.” Accessed May 7, 2025.https://www.beyazperde.com/filmler/film-34193/IMDb. “Donnie Darko (2001) – Full Cast & Crew.” Accessed May 7, 2025. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246578/MUBI. Deus Ex Machina: The Philosophy of Donnie Darko. Accessed June 25, 2025. https://mubi.com/tr/tr/films/deus-ex-machina-the-philosophy-of-donnie-darko.YouTube. “Donnie Darko Official Trailer (2001).” Accessed May 7, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZyBaFYFySk ## Related Articles - [Citizen Kane (Film)](//detay/citizen-kane-film-0cb6e/llms.txt)