Q. How do I understand this movie?
A quick guide on how to understand Donnie Darko:
1. Watch the movie, ideally as many times as possible because once you go to Step 2 you can never go back
2. Go to DonnieDarko.com and try and complete the web site. The web site gives a huge amount of additional information, and is arguably essential viewing to completely understand the film. The web site was written in conjunction with the film by the Writer/Director, Richard Kelly. Note the web site is fairly cryptic and full of puzzles. If you get very stuck visit Ruined Eye's excellent guide.
3. If you don't get very far in the web site, or you're lazy, you can take a shortcut to RuinedEye.com and read "The Philosophy of Time Travel" which explains a lot about the movie (note that parts of The Philosophy of Time Travel have been added to the Director's Cut, which was Richard Kelly's original intention with the film). The Philosophy of Time Travel is one of the pieces of information contained within the DonnieDarko.com web site, and has subsequently also been added to some of the DVD releases within the special features.
If you're still stuck then obviously continue reading the FAQ. If the FAQ doesn't help then visit the IMDB forum or the various dedicated Yahoo groups, have a read there first, and if your question has not been asked before then post it. Equally drop me an e-mail and I'll add any good questions to the FAQ, or clarify answers as required.
Ultimately Richard Kelly intended for this movie to have multiple interpretations, and he has never (and most likely will never) given a complete explanation as to the main plot.
Also, there are many levels to this movie. Part of the FAQ is explaining the main plot thread which is fairly "cold" science fiction, but of course there is much more and many more levels to the movie than this, and I'm certainly not saying that this is all there is!
Another great companion to the film is the Donnie Darko book which includes a long interview with Richard Kelly, the shooting script, photos from the film, and more.
So if you still aren't sure, and don't want to follow the above, read on...
Q. What is Donnie doing in this movie, in a nutshell?
It depends how you interpret the movie. I repeat that ultimately Richard Kelly intended for this movie to have multiple interpretations, and he has never (and most likely will never) given a complete explanation as to the main plot. But you can draw conclusions from the evidence provided and come up with some cohesive plot threads. So...
In a nutshell, my favoured explanation is that the Universe has become corrupt and is ending. Donnie (and others) are manipulated by Frank the "rabbit" (and whoever manipulates Frank) to save the Universe.
Q. Why is the Universe ending?
It is inferred from the Philosophy of Time Travel that the universe is ending because time has become corrupted. The seemingly logical conclusion is that time has become corrupted by the appearance of the jet engine in the Tangent Universe. The Tangent Universe is an offshoot from the Primary Universe due to the different events that occur in it.
The key here is that the engine was in the future, and then through a corruption (*not* a wormhole) it appeared 28 days in the past. It was in the future, then in the past, with no logical/physical reason for its appearance.
Q. What does Donnie do to save the Universe, in detail?
This depends on your interpretation of the film as it has many levels.
In my favoured interpretation the evidence e.g. the Philosophy of Time Travel (which can also be found within the puzzles at DonnieDarko.com, and on some of the DVD versions), points to the fact that the Universe has become corrupted, forming a Tangent Universe. As mentioned above, the logical conclusion is that the event that causes this is the arrival of the jet engine.
Therefore Donnie's objective, through manipulation by Frank (the man in the rabbit costume who appears mostly in his dreams), is to give a valid reason for the engine's appearance i.e. either opening or creating a wormhole back to the past. It is also assumed that he does this with telekinesis and his power to create water (the fourth dimensional construct) as it is stated these are some of the powers of the Living Receiver.
So in short, corruption = bad, wormhole = good, hence Universe saved.
Relevant quotes from the Philosophy of Time Travel that support this:
"Artifacts returned to the Primary Universe are often linked to religious iconography; as their appearance on Earth seems to defy logical explanation."
"The Fourth Dimension of Time is a stable construct, though it is not impenetrable. ....Incidents when the fabric of the fourth dimension becomes corrupted are incredibly rare. ....If a Tangent Universe occurs, it will be highly unstable, sustaining itself for no longer than several weeks."
"....The Manipulated Dead will often set an Ensurance Trap for the Living Receiver to ensure that the Artifact is returned safely to the Primary Universe."
"If the Ensurance Trap is successful, the Living Receiver is left with no choice but to use his Fourth Dimensional Power to send the Artifact back in time into the Primary Universe before the Black Hole collapses upon itself."
"The Living Receiver is often (blessed) with a Fourth Dimensional Power(s). These include increased strength, telekinesis, mind control, and the ability to conjure fire and water."
"The Fourth Dimensional Construct is made of Water."
Q. Is it possible that Frank waking Donnie changed time, and therefore corrupted the Universe?
It's possible as an alternate interpretation perhaps, but the Philosophy of Time Travel, and a number of other plot elements don't make sense based on this.
Q. Did Donnie travel in time?
It would seem not, but again it depends on your interpretation of the film.
Based on the above evidence, he didn't travel in time himself in that he didn't actually enter a wormhole. Donnie didn't need to travel in time as he changed the past by affecting the destination of the jet engine, and ending the time corruption. The only object that traveled in time was the jet engine.
Q. Did Donnie's mother and/or sister have to be on the plane?
No. His mother needed to be away from the house so they could have the party, and so the subsequent events could occur. Refer to the end of the FAQ for a timeline of important events.
Q. Why is Donnie laughing at the end and/or why doesn't he get out of bed?
Richard Kelly states this in the DVD commentary (with Jake Gyllenhal):
1. That he felt the whole experience had been a dream, and was therefore laughing with relief that he had woken up from this, hence doesn't get out of bed.
2. That the journey through the Tangent Universe had solved Donnie's problem of dying alone through achieving enlightenment, and subsequently he knew he was going to "something better" (from his letter to Roberta Sparrow). He was therefore laughing through sheer joy and anticipation, and didn't want to get out of bed.
Q. Did Donnie need to die at the end, hence not get out of bed?
It isn't entirely clear. Richard Kelly states a couple of things in the DVD commentary (with Jake Gyllenhal) that Frank was honking his car horn warning Donnie to get up and:
1. he didn't listen;
2. or didn't hear.
So this implies that he didn't need to die. See the question above also, and the explanations of the main plot thread above.
There does seem to be a fated aspect for Donnie's death, in that all Living Receiver's die. Something that is covered in The Philosophy of Time Travel.
Note that Frank does honk his horn in the first sequence as well, but he doesn't drive away the second time around.
Q. Who is Frank and/or the rabbit?
Frank is actually Donnie's sister's (Elizabeth Darko) boyfriend. The Frank we see through most of the film should technically be referred to as Manipulated Dead Frank (to understand the Manipulated Dead and Manipulated Living read the Philosophy of Time Travel referred to above). Manipulated Dead Frank (MD Frank) is appearing from another dimension, and essentially the future of the Tangent Universe, to help Donnie achieve the goal of changing the fate and saving the universe. The Frank we see at the very end of the film, in the scenes were Gretchen is run over and the "Dreams" sequence, is the "real" alive Frank, that is the Frank who exists in our universe prior to being shot by Donnie (in the Tangent Universe at least).
There are also some links to the living Frank throughout the film, for example:
1. He drops off Elizabeth after a date (just before the jet engine hits the house)
2. He drives past Donnie in his red Trans Am when Donnie is cycling home near the beginning of the film
3. He is on a beer run at Elizabeth's party (the notice on the fridge. Note the similarity with the "They Made Me Do It" handwriting around the school mascot)
Q. Why do Karen Pomeroy and Kenneth Monnitoff have the conversation "Donnie Darko"... "I know"?
Richard Kelly states in the DVD commentary that they are being manipulated, and they are aware of Donnie and that something is going on with him.
Q. Why does Kenneth Monnitoff say he can't continue the conversation with Donnie about time travel?
As it was a church linked school a conversation about God and time travel was taboo for the teacher.
Q. When Donnie's parents are talking about Frankie Feedler are they referring to Frank's father? Based on Frank saying that his father and grandfather were called Frank also.
It's possible, although it seems a bit unlikely that Frank's father died at this young age, hence Frank must have been conceived at or before this time. Of course no-one other than Richard Kelly knows for sure, and this detail has never been covered.
Q. Why does Dr. Thurman react the way she does to Donnie's comment about the sky opening up?
Her reaction is somewhat strange and out of character, so we can only assume that she is behaving as a Manipulated Living and trying to reassure Donnie.
Q. Why are the bullies (Seth Devlin and Ricky) in Grandma Death's (Roberta Sparrow's) house?
Earlier in the film Rose Darko refers to Roberta Sparrow having a gem collection, so we assume that this is a reason for them being there. Of course they needed to be there as part of the ensurance trap for Donnie, so we can assume they are also acting as the Manipulated Living.
Q. Why when the characters are in bed at the end of the movie, in the "Mad World montage", do they seem to recollect what happened in the Tangent Universe?
As background: at the end of the movie after we go back to the point where the jet engine hits the house we see Dr. Thurman wake up abruptly and look troubled, Karen Pomeroy is asleep in bed with Kenneth Monnitoff who is awake and looks concerned, Jim Cunningham is sitting upright in bed sobbing, Kitty Farmer is deep in thought, Cherita is smiling, and Frank is sitting on the floor touching his eye.
Essentially the characters remember what happened from the future, but now closed, Tangent Universe. The Dreams chapter in The Philosophy of Time Travel confirms this:
"When the Manipulated awakens from their Journey into the Tangent Universe, they are often haunted by the experience in their dreams. Many of them will not remember. ....Those who do remember the Journey are often overcome with profound remorse for the regretful actions buried within their Dreams, the only physical evidence buried within the Artifact itself, all that remains from the lost world."
Also Gretchen and Rose Darko (Donnie's Mum) seem to remember each other, based on them waving at each other at the end of the film.
Q. What does Donnie mumble when he has the knife held to his throat?
"Deus ex Machina", followed by "Our Saviour".
Q. What does "Deus Ex Machina" mean?
This is latin.
Deus = God
Ex = from the
Machina = Machine
Therefore, God from the Machine.
1. In Greek and Roman drama, a god lowered by stage machinery to resolve a plot or extricate the protagonist from a difficult situation.
2. An unexpected, artificial, or improbable character, device, or event introduced suddenly in a work of fiction or drama to resolve a situation or untangle a plot.
3. A person or event that provides a sudden and unexpected solution to a difficulty.
Reference: American Heritage Dictionary
Note that Deus Ex Machina is also mentioned in one of the deleted scenes related to the classroom discussion about Watership Down.
Q. Who is the jogger in the red tracksuit?
The web site reveals that this is a member of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following Donnie, and see some pictures below as proof. The FAA are very concerned as to how an exact duplicate of the engine exists hence are following Donnie as a potential lead on why this is (and how he avoided being killed by the engine). Curiously the actor playing the member of the FAA is named Tom Tangen.
Q. In reference to Cellar Door being the most beautiful phrase, which "famous linguist" is Karen Pomeroy talking about?
JRR Tolkien (author of Lord of the Rings and other books, and he also worked on the Oxford English Dictionary, hence is famous and a linguist).
Q. What part does Cherita Chen play in the film?
It's possible to interpret Cherita's role in various ways. Richard Kelly has simply stated in interviews that Cherita is the innocent (she does nothing wrong and has good motivation), and is victimised for this (for both racial and size bias).
Personally I don't feel that Cherita plays any other role.
Q. Why does Donnie put on Cherita's ear muffs?
Again this is open to interpretation. Personally I feel that Donnie was sympathising with her character, so to sympathise with her he steps into her world by wearing the ear muffs.
Cherita presumably wears ear muffs to block out the nasty comments from other children.
Q. Why does Donnie say to Cherita "I promise that one day everything’s going to be better for you."
Again this is open to interpretation. Perhaps Donnie (with his future insight) has some ability to know what happens to Cherita in the future. Personally I feel that he has more of an insight into the way the world works, and he knows that Cherita will grow up into a well adjusted person based on her obviously well adjusted character.
Q. Gretchen appears in the notes of The Philosophy of Time Travel as a Manipulated Dead, why?
I feel this is because both Frank and Gretchen die in the Tangent Universe. Frank obviously appears to Donnie in his Manipulated Dead form, projected from the future, but I see no evidence as to Gretchen appearing to Donnie this way. It would have both confused Donnie and confused the audience also.
Q. What is the song played during the cinema sequence, and at the beginning of the credits?
"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Written by Steve Baker and Carmen Daye
Courtesy of Associated Production Music LLC
This track is available as a royalty free track from Associated Production Music on one of their collections titled Voicing the Classic 2. More importantly it can also be bought now on the 2CD Donnie Darko soundtrack, currently only available in the UK.
I used to provide this track for download on MP3 but as it can be bought from both these sources (particularly the new soundtrack) I have removed the download.
Note that this track is often confused with Ave Maria, but this is definitely not Ave Maria.
Q. Why is there no soundtrack with the original 80's tracks?
It was not possible based on the initial limited release of the film and the expensive requirements for licensing to release a soundtrack with these songs. But...
... A 2 CD soundtrack has appeared for sale in the UK (with a release date of 4th October 2004) which contains both the original soundtrack CD and a large number of tracks (but not all) from both the original and Director's Cut. Follow the previous link for a complete track listing.
Note of course that there is still the original soundtrack for sale with the original tracks by Michael Andrews, and the rearrangement of Mad World sung by Gary Jules.
Q. What tracks were not on the original soundtrack?
"The Killing Moon"
Written by Will Sergeant, Ian McCulloch, Les Pattinson and Pete De Freitas
Performed by Echo & The Bunnymen
Courtesy of Sire Records/Warner Music U.K. Ltd.
By arrangement with Warner Special Products
(Plays during the sequence when Donnie cycles home at the beginning of the original movie. Note this is changed in the Director's Cut to Never Tear Us Apart, by INXS. In the Director's Cut The Killing Moon replaces Under the Milkyway during the party sequence)
"Lucid Memory"
Written and Performed by Sam Bauer and Ged Bauer
(Used during the "Cunning Visions" video)
"Head over Heels"
Written by Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal
Performed by Tears For Fears
Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
(Plays during the sequence where Donnie gets off the school bus, and we are "introduced" to various characters in the film)
"Lucid Assembly"
Written and Performed by Ged Bauer and Mike Bauer
(Used during the "Cunning Visions" video)
"Ave Maria"
Written by Giulio Caccino and Paul Pritchard
Courtesy of Associated Production Music LLC
(Played in the background when Rose, Donnie's Mum, is talking to her friend)
"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Written by Steve Baker and Carmen Daye
Courtesy of Associated Production Music LLC
(Plays during the sequence where Donnie is in the cinema with Frank and Gretchen, and also plays over the end titles)
"Show Me"
Written by Quito Colayco and Tony Hertz
Courtesy of Associated Production Music LLC
(Plays during Cherita's "Autumn Angel" sequence)
"Notorious"
Written by Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor
Performed by Duran Duran
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets
(Sparkle Motion's dance track. Originally it was intended that West End Girls would be used, but the licensing cost was too expensive)
"Proud To Be Loud"
Written by Marc Ferrari
Performed by The Dead Green Mummies
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari / Master Source
(Plays at Elizabeth's party. Some sources tell me this is a version by Pantera)
"Love Will Tear Us Apart"
Written and Performed by Joy Division
Courtesy of Warner Music U.K. Ltd.
By arrangement with Warner Special Products
(Plays at Elizabeth's party, prior to Donnie going upstairs with Gretchen)
"Under the Milky Way"
Written by Steven Kilbey and Karin Jansson
Performed by The Church
Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.
Courtesy of Festival Mushroom Records Pty Ltd.
(Plays at Elizabeth's party, when Donnie and Gretchen come downstairs, but only in the original version)
Note that two tracks (as mentioned above) used in the rough cut of the film shown at the Sundance Film Festival were West End Girls, by the Pet Shop Boys (replaced by Notorious in the original and Director's Cut) and Never Tear Us Apart, by INXS (replaced by The Killing Moon in the original cut, and reinstated in the Director's Cut).
Q. Will there be a Director's Cut?
Yes, the Director's Cut was released at the Seattle International Film Festival on the 29th May 2004. It has spread to other cities in the USA, and other countries as well (including the UK and Australia) and is likely to finish its cinematic run soon.
The UK distributor provided some money for the Director's Cut, and it is being shown on a limited theatrical run in the UK. More info on where it's playing from this link.
For up-to-date information on release schedules for the cinema visit Richard-Kelly.net and Newmarket Films.
The Director's Cut has also come to DVD. Again for the UK the release date is 4th October 2004 (link to Play.com). It is confirmed that the DVD will be released in the USA in February 2005, and Australia in December 2004.
If you have up-to-date information about where the DVD is being released in your country then let me know and I will include it here.
Q. What does the Director's Cut contain?
Deleted scenes from the original DVD, new unseen footage, new special effects, and some changes to the soundtrack.
For a complete detailed list of the changes follow this list to DVD Times.
Q. What is the font used for the titles?
This is a slight variation on the Harem TrueType Font. The Harem font is available for download from here (57kb), and linked from the downloads section of the main page.
Q. Is the Philosophy of Time Travel a real book?
No.
Richard Kelly wrote it during the editing stages of the film, and was intending to incorporate it into the original version but time and budget constraints prevented this. The Director's Cut restores the original vision of the pages that Richard Kelly wanted.
Q. Are there more pages to the Philosophy of Time Travel?
Although the book Dr. Monnitoff gives to Donnie seems to have many pages, only those which are on the web site and DVD have been shown. It is assumed these were the only pages created, for the web site.
Q. What are the key points of the movie?
This is a quick run through of the key points in the movie and those incidents which form the ensurance trap for Donnie:
2 OCTOBER 1988
1. Manipulated Dead (MD) Frank coerces Donnie to sleepwalk to the golf course (preventing him being killed).
2. The jet engine strikes the house.
5 OCTOBER 1988
3. Donnie is coerced by MD Frank to sleepwalk to the school and break the water main. Because of this the school is flooded and Donnie walks home with Gretchen, resulting in her "going" with him.
6 OCTOBER 1988
4. Donnie and his friends see Grandma Death walking to the mail box, and Ronald suggests that someone should "write that bitch". Perhaps manipulating Donnie to write to her, so that she is reading the letter when Frank's car swerves to miss her.
10 OCTOBER 1988
5. Donnie discusses the time travel theories with Dr. Monnitoff, and is given the Philosophy of Time Travel.
18 OCTOBER 1988
6. Gretchen tells Donnie "And what if you could go back in time and take all those hours of pain and darkness and replace them with something better?" perhaps manipulating him to complete his task later on.
22 OCTOBER 1988
7. Donnie discusses more time travel with Dr. Monnitoff.
23 OCTOBER 1988
8. Donnie finds Jim Cunningham's wallet outside his house. With the address he knows which house to burn down later. By burning down the house Kitty has to appear at his arraignment, meaning that Rose (Donnie's Mum) has to go to the Talent Contest, meaning the party takes place and Donnie is with Gretchen "cementing" their relationship.
9. Donnie sets fire to Jim Cunningham's house that evening.
25 OCTOBER 1988
10. Kitty Farmer asks Rose to chaperone Sparkle Motion as she is appearing at Jim Cunningham's arraignment. The party can happen.
26 OCTOBER 1988
11. Karen Pomeroy tells Donnie about the phrase "Cellar Door", thus dropping the clue that Donnie picks up on later when entering Roberta Sparrow's house via the cellar.
29 OCTOBER 1988
12. Elizabeth gets her letter for getting in to Harvard. They decide to throw the party.
13. Gretchen's mother has vanished, she comes to the party to find Donnie and stay in a "safe place".
30 OCTOBER 1988
14. They enter Roberta Sparrow's house by the cellar door.
15. Gretchen is run over by Frank, who swerves to avoid Roberta Sparrow reading Donnie's letter.
16. Donnie shoots Frank, allowing him to come back and help him as the Manipulated Dead.
17. Donnie perhaps removes the artifact (jet engine) from the plane, and changes its destination to the Primary Universe.
The End!
![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
