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SummaryThis Director's Cut from writer/director Richard Kelly features 20 minutes of never-before-seen footage.

Directed By:Richard Kelly

Written By:Richard Kelly

Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut

Metascore
must-see
88
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.6
My Score
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Metascore
88
100% Positive
15 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
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  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Dallas Observer
In this bolder, longer new cut, characters are allowed to finish scenes previously left as DVD extras, effects are creepier, and the theories of "the Tangent Universe" are explored in greater depth. Friends and neighbors, this is a Great American Movie.
100
Christian Science Monitor
The director's cut of this 2001 cult fantasy is a deliriously subtle exploration of storytelling possibilities, and a deliciously wry teen-pic to boot. Brilliant.
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.6
93% Positive
348 Ratings
5% Mixed
19 Ratings
2% Negative
8 Ratings
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Nov 15, 2025
10
chriss17eu
One of those you have to watch twice. 'Donnie Darko' is one of those films that require more than one viewing, not only to fully understand its complex premise but also to catch the number of details that Richard Kelly hides throughout the entire runtime. Kelly writes and directs with remarkable mastery a story that can be difficult to grasp, yet everything becomes perfectly comprehensible. At its core, the narrative contains a powerful reflection on fear and love, conveyed with elegance. The mise-en-scène is brilliant: although the visual effects are not the best, they serve their purpose—giving the narrative strength and intensity, which is precisely one of the film’s strongest points. The dialogue is no less impressive: crafted with precision, leaving no loose ends or unanswered questions. Coherence is one of its virtues. The editing, especially in the director’s cut, is exquisite. A masterful handling of framing, composition, pacing, and music demonstrates a profound understanding of cinematic language. It is not common to find such a balanced and expressive editing job. The performances are what elevate this film to a masterpiece. Jake Gyllenhaal delivers, in my opinion, the best performance of his career to date, portraying a complex and fascinating protagonist, which is fully commendable. The film constantly plays with the viewer’s perception and symbolism, adding layers of deep meaning that verge on the abstract. This is one of its greatest achievements: what it tells and how it tells it. Donnie Darko can be described as a stunning work, a film that should be seen at least once in a lifetime. A singular and brilliant piece of science fiction. It skillfully combines love, fear, spatial, psychological, and ideological elements—something that seems impossible given the contrast of its themes. Difficult to forget and, in my case, impossible not to admire. Spanish: De esas que tienes que ver dos veces. 'Donnie Darko' es de esas pelis que exigen más de un visionado, no solo para comprender con plenitud su compleja propuesta, sino para captar la cantidad de detalles que Richard Kelly oculta en todo el metraje. Kelly escribe y dirige con una maestría sorprendente una historia que puede ser difícil asimilar, pero que todo se comprende perfectamente. En su narrativa existe una poderosa reflexión sobre el miedo y el amor, reflejada de manera elegante. La puesta en escena es brillante: aunque los efectos visuales no sean los mejores, cumplen con su función: dotar la narrativa de fuerza e intensidad, que es justamente uno de los puntos fuertes de la película. Los diálogos tampoco se quedan atrás: elaborados con precisión, sin dejar cabos sueltos ni preguntas sin respuesta. La coherencia es una de sus virtudes. El montaje, especialmente en la versión del director, es exquisito. Un manejo de encuadres, composiciones, ritmo y música con una comprensión profunda del lenguaje cinematográfico. No es común encontrar un trabajo de edición tan equilibrado y expresivo. Las interpretaciones son lo que hacen de esta película una obra maestra. Jake Gyllenhaal ofrece, en mi opinión, la mejor actuación de su carrera hasta la fecha, encarnando a un protagonista complejo y fascinante, lo que da pleno mérito. La película juega constantemente con la percepción del espectador y un simbolismo que añade capas de significado profundo, rozando lo abstracto. Eso es uno de sus mayores aciertos: lo que cuenta y cómo lo cuenta. 'Donnie Darko' se califica como una obra brutal, obligatoria de ver al menos, una vez en la vida. Singular y brillante pieza de la ciencia ficción. Combinar amor, miedo, elementos espaciales, psicológicos e ideológicos, con sumo acierto, lo que parece imposible dada el contraste de sus temas. Difícil de olvidar y para mi caso, de no admirar.
Jul 7, 2025
10
yurilover123123
i love yuri!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
90
Washington Post
Contains about 10 additional minutes and is as fabulous and enjoyable as ever. To be honest, I didn't even notice the new material, having not seen the original film since its 2001 release. I just saw a film that works beautifully and has held together well.
88
Charlotte Observer
The longer film makes Donnie's intentions clearer, explains the time-travel theme better and also leaves us in no doubt as to Frank's identity.
80
Empire
If you're returning for more Donnie, you'll still have tears in your eyes come the sublime Mad World conclusion. If it's your first viewing, you should still be wowed by an astounding masterpiece. But this is undoubtedly the lesser of the two cuts, and since you have the choice, you should stick with version one.
75
Portland Oregonian
Longer cut's slapdash additions make a cool, ambiguous film more literal; original 2001 version is far better.
63
New York Daily News
Immensely moving and strikingly original, Kelly's story of a brilliant, disturbed teen (Jake Gyllenhaal) drowning in the cultural morass of the 1980s now feels bloated.
See All 15 Critic Reviews
Sep 10, 2023
10
starwarsgrim
Incredible...................................................................
Feb 9, 2018
6
drone41
I'm not a fan of science fiction, but it's a very interesting movie. Nothing spectacular, just interesting.
Jul 22, 2014
6
juliankennedy23
Donnie Darko: 6 out of 10: Some movies just pass me right by. I found Amelie by the end more irritating than cute, I didn't laugh once at Rushmore, and only a hostage situation could coerce me to watch The Piano again. Donnie Darko has a large legion of fans and I certainly understand its appeal. The acting by both Jake Gyllenhaal and Drew Barrymore is some of their best work. The rest of the cast also shines with a special kudos to Holmes Osborne as the father in what is almost always a throw away role. The school and kids remind me of my high school from the eighties (Though this being Hollywood the music is much better than what the radio actually played in those years.) and the filmmakers certainly know how to frame a shot. I was even able to look past the Holden Caulfield and Harvey flashbacks the movie caused me to suffer. So what went wrong… the plot. Oh up until the payoff it's fine enough, in fact it is better than fine. One wonders how the filmmakers are going to pull it off. The answer is simple. They don't. If anything the end of the movie reminded me of that atrocious horror film from a few years back Soul Survivors. Like Soul Survivors the movie holds your interest with more and more implausible plot twists and coincidences then cheats at the end like a bad junior high school English essay. Now Donnie Darko is otherwise superior to Soul Survivors and other films where the ending is a groaner (cough The Village cough), but after all that goodness the magic is gone and they couldn't pull a rabbit out of their hat. Even a six foot demonic one.
Sep 4, 2018
3
psyquick
I was eventually put off by so many tired, worn cliches - the Neurotic teacher, the Nasty school bully, the Fat Chinese chick, sleazy Mr. Motivator, the Mr & Mrs Average parents, the eccentric old lady. And then the time travel and the convoluted, confused plot trying to lend some scientific credibility to this sorry concoction.
Feb 27, 2013
2
joey-clemenza
trite, mundane, pretentious, hackneyed, sloppy, arrogant and dull......i never did understand the cult following this film has garnered. if ever the movie said anything to me, it said that writer richard kelly is way too in love with his own material (southland tales and the box being proof of this). there is nothing wrong with wanting to endeavor into your project like a child, nurturing it and loving it just as such. however, once a director reaches the state of "i don't care if it does make sense", you have then left your audience in the ditch and are now lost. there is an obvious disdain and further disconnect with kelly's audience, as the movie is only experienced in stylized sequences, complete with "plot twists" askew. oh, the plot twist. ever was there a more cheap though effective technique in fiction writing. this brings me to my next point. the story is so convoluted, there have been countless websites developed for the simple function of either identifying or deciphering the movies message, plot, theme and "code" like a child who recently discovered the usesfullness of a Marvel styled decoder ring. only whence identifying these modes (or theorizing them, as there really is all you can do with this film), the former just seems so wishy washy in the end, you'd just as soon begin thinking of this film as a classic because if it doesn't make sense, it must be cool, right? Kelly has no business directing, as there is only a subtle hint of character in every one of these one or two layered protagonists. Richard Kelly really is the Omar Rodriguez of film and i see no other reason to praise him, save for the fact that he knows the Gyllenhaals? i assure you, rich.....your farts smell the same way as mine, and as your movie. **1 out of 5 stars**
See All 375 User Reviews
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  • Pandora Cinema
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Jul 23, 2004
1 h 53 m
R
Life is one long insane trip. Some people just have better directions.
Chlotrudis Awards
• 2 Wins & 4 Nominations
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 3 Nominations
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
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