Donnie Darko film review

 Donnie Darko is a 2001 american cult classic that is a mix of the genres of sci fi mystery surrealism and psychological thriller that tells the story of a troubled teen that narrowly escapes death and the weeks after that event, exploring themes of time travel, philosophy, love and rebellion. 

The films narrative pacing of a mystery is unconventional as a majority of the questions thay are set up the viewers may question aren't answered and is up to the viewer to figure out and interpret and may not be understand the majority of the premace in the first viewing as it presents multiple ideas and themes that work on its own but doesn't tie into the main narrative that is to say it isn't not enjoyable in the first viewing as the well shot scenes, jokes and the sense of comfort of following Donnie's life can capture the viewer from start to finish. The aspect of the sci fi genre films isn't immediate as it only starts to show once the book philosophy of time travel is introduced adding a layer of complexity to the mystery that gradually grows throughout the duration of the film where the ending is completely enigmatic and will leave viewers with a multitude of questions as a version of mad world made for the film plays over close up shots of the cast woken up from sleep letting the viewer reflect and question what they just watched until donnie at the end laughing hysterically as the jet engine crashes into his room, what would have happened if frank didn't save him.

The film on its initial release was received poorly by it's publishers as it nearly went straight to dvd as it was scarecely advertised and almost not being screened in theatres thankfully it was midnight screened at select theatres slowly gaining popularity until being considered a cult classic and being positively received by critiques. The film had a budget of 4.5 million usd and grossed 7.5 million box office worldwide.