Donnie Darko Themes

Donnie Darko, written and directed by Richard Kelly in 2001, boasts an utterly complex plot that challenges the concept of science fiction movies, as well as the underlying themes of a classic adolescent coming of age film. Using familiar themes of alienation and rebellion and first-love, Kelly employs humor, time travel, and a six-foot-tall bunny rabbit who alone sets the creepy tone that is present throughout Donnie Darko. The cast is star-studded with Jake Gyllenhaal playing the lead as Donnie Darko, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Donnie’s sister, Mary McDonnell as Donnie’s mother, as well as Drew Barrymore and the late Patrick Swayze cast as smaller roles. Categorized as a teen coming of age slash science fiction slash horror flick, Donnie Darko is a film both intellectually stimulating as well

Almost every sci-fi movie attempts to explore some strain of the human experience, typically capitalizing on the human story to unfold extraordinary events; however, Donnie Darko has what most of these films lack: actual human emotion. The emotion comes alive in Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance as Donnie Darko. Capturing the full spectrum of typical teenage feelings, Gyllenhaal also develops the character’s highly disturbed nature. The true chemistry in the film is between Donnie and his female interest Gretchen, played by Jena Malone. The scene where they first meet accurately portrays the awkwardness of an adolescent relationship. Humor is another factor director Richard Kelly uses to his advantage to break through the science fiction genre. The comedy doesn’t come from usual break-the-suspense humor and laughs occur sporadically throughout the film. Sufficiently employing the theme of first-love and humor in the film, Kelly successfully fulfills the persona of a coming of age film most science fiction movies regretfully leave