This film is currently unavailable
Donnie Darko
Richard Kelly's astounding debut feature is a mix of stylish eighties veneer and existential horror starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the troubled teen who is haunted by a giant rabbit prophesying the apocalypse.
Director: Richard Kelly
Overview
Blessed with the energy and style of a first time director given the opportunity to put his vision to screen, Richard Kelly has never bettered his stylish and enrapturing debut feature. In his breakout role as the titular character, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a teenager plagued by visions of a giant rabbit called Frank who forewarns him of the coming apocalypse. As Donnie seems to descend into madness, he meets Gretchen (Jena Malone), a timid girl who may hold the key to his redemption.
A dreamy phantasmagoria that blends coming-of-age fantasy, 80's pop culture, mind-bending sci-fi and existential horror, Donnie Darko is a cult classic that's worth regularly revisiting. Following a muted response to its initial US release, the film first acquired a devoted audience in the UK, bewitching those who discovered it with its mix of rich visuals, an indelible soundtrack and perplexing ambiguities. Anchored by an elusive yet magnetic performance from a young Jake Gyllenhaal and featuring a talented cast including Drew Barrymore and Patrick Swayze, Donnie Darko addresses timeless themes of alienation, growing up and how to deal when your best friend is a giant rabbit named Frank.
strong language, horror
Related
Long Day's Journey Into Night Long Day's Journey Into Night
Drama 2018 138 mins Director: Bi Gan
Bi Gan's βdestroyed film noir' is a dazzling dive into an immersive dreamscape.
Vermiglio Vermiglio
Drama 2024 120 mins Director: Maura Delpero
Unfolding against the stunning backdrop of a remote Italian mountain village, Maura Delperoβs film is a hauntingly beautiful period tale of family life gradually torn apart.
On Falling On Falling
Drama 2025 101 mins Director: Laura Carreira
The importance of human connection lies at the heart of this powerful, nuanced portrait of a young Portuguese warehouse employee in Scotland.
Memories of Murder Memories of Murder
Detective drama 2003 131 mins Director: Bong Joon-ho
A pair of detectives clash trying to solve the brutal murder of two women, in Bong Joon-hoβs masterful blend of true crime and dark social satire.
The Noose The Noose
Drama 1958 98 mins Director: Wojciech Jerzy Has
Wojciech Hasβ dazzling feature debut, a bleak, mordantly funny, all too human portrait of an alcoholic.
The Doll The Doll
Drama 1968 153 mins Director: Wojciech Jerzy Has
Widescreen adaptation of BolesΕaw Prusβs 1870s-set novel about a man who cannot escape his class straitjacket.
Electricity Electricity
Drama 2014 96 mins Director: Bryn Higgins
Agyness Deyn stars in a powerful story seen through the eyes of a young woman whose epilepsy brings extraordinary hallucinations.
My Brother the Devil My Brother the Devil
Drama 2012 107 mins Director: Sally El Hosaini
Sally El Hosaini's feature debut tells of the love and disenchantment of two British-Egyptian brothers as gangs, drugs and sexuality come between them.
Bullet Boy Bullet Boy
Drama 2005 86 mins Director: Saul Dibb
Ashley Walters impresses in the hard-hitting Hackney drama thatβs still one of the best of Britainβs black urban crime films.
Shell Shell
Drama 2013 87 mins Director: Scott Graham
In a remote part of Scotland, teenager Shell develops an intense relationship with her reclusive father.
Me without You Me without You
Drama 2001 103 mins Director: Sandra Goldbacher
Anna Friel and Michelle Williams star as two troubled girls whose tumultuous friendship takes many twists and turns.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man Tetsuo: The Iron Man
Fantasy 1988 67 mins Director: Shinya Tsukamoto
Shinya Tsukamoto's wild cyberpunk tale of a businessman's agonising transformation into a walking scrap heap is a jaggedly dehumanised vision of the future.
Enemy Enemy
Drama 2013 91 mins Director: Denis Villeneuve
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as doppelgΓ€ngers in this dark, pulsating thriller from Denis Villeneuve.
Long Day's Journey Into Night Long Day's Journey Into Night
Drama 2018 138 mins Director: Bi Gan
Bi Gan's βdestroyed film noir' is a dazzling dive into an immersive dreamscape.
Vermiglio Vermiglio
Drama 2024 120 mins Director: Maura Delpero
Unfolding against the stunning backdrop of a remote Italian mountain village, Maura Delperoβs film is a hauntingly beautiful period tale of family life gradually torn apart.
On Falling On Falling
Drama 2025 101 mins Director: Laura Carreira
The importance of human connection lies at the heart of this powerful, nuanced portrait of a young Portuguese warehouse employee in Scotland.
The Balconettes The Balconettes
Comedy 2024 104 mins Director: NoΓ©mie Merlant
Co-written with CΓ©line Sciamma, NoΓ©mie Merlantβs bright and bold film follows three friends as they try to dispose of the body of an abuser theyβve accidentally killed.
Barking Dogs Never Bite Barking Dogs Never Bite
Comedy 2000 111 mins Director: Bong Joon-ho
A professor takes drastic action to silence a barking dog in this superb debut feature from Bong Joon-ho, the Oscar-winning director of Parasite.
Memories of Murder Memories of Murder
Detective drama 2003 131 mins Director: Bong Joon-ho
A pair of detectives clash trying to solve the brutal murder of two women, in Bong Joon-hoβs masterful blend of true crime and dark social satire.