When the jet engine crashed, it created a wormhole and an alternate universe. The alternate universe is unstable and will collapse. Donnie is the central character in this alternate world, and it's where most of the movie takes place. He has to set things right and close the wormhole. This ultimately also results in his death. A lot of people in this alternate world inherently serve to make sure Donnie can move forward, which is why some of them act strangely or are drawn to him. He also has supernatural abilities in this universe - like super strength with the axe. The main plot point with Donnie as a person is that he feels alone and he's afraid to die that way. His journey in this universe gives him purpose and also shows him that he is loved, even with small things like Cherita's book. In the end, Donnie dies when the universe is fixed, but now he's able to die at peace. Everyone else does have a sense of Deja Vu where they sort of feel things from the other universe as if it were a dream. The Director's Cut of the movie actually shows the content of Roberta Sparrow's book and almost over-explains the plot.
i love that you know this much about the movie, a lot of people don’t know the theories or lore and that’s like the whole pointttt 😭 you explained it well for others who need it! i need to watch it again, such a good movie, my favorite
Donnie Darko is one of my all time favorite movies and I’m so jazzed yall chose to watch it on the channel! It’s a classic. Can’t wait to see your reactions.
Same! I watched it for the first time this past October and it's incredible! ...i mean, it messed with my head, but the way it was created and the story is awesome!
First New Years being single in 15 years, came down with a cold and laying in bed for New Years alone. This really helped me tonight guys. Keep it up 🙏🏼
I had a close friend named Hector, who died in 1991 at age 19, and this movie reminds me of him for a few reasons. One, he suffered from schizophrenia like Donnie Darko and had hallucinations and psychosis. Two, his favorite band was Tears For Fears and this movie has two of their songs in it, along with the movie having an 80's vibe to it and since I first met him when he was 16, the 80's was big for us. And three, we had a mutual friend, his name is Frank. Frank is the one who introduced me to Hector. Unfortunately, Hector was asphyxiated during a psychosis attack when in the hospital. Hector knew weeks before that he was going to die because he told me he had gone to a tarot card reader and that the death card kept coming up. I told him not to take that literally and that the death card can have other meanings like a new beginning, but he was terrified and felt he was going to die. Frank told me that the last time he saw Hector, he was acting weird and like a different person and that the last thing he said to him as he was walking out the door, was... "I don't want to die."
I absolutely love this film and it’s cool that the “bully” character is the lead singer of a band called Phantom Planet, they are known for The OC song California.
Drew Barrymore produced this film, and played a HUGE role in the casting. Her role is BEYOND essential in the story, if you don’t understand it- rewatch the film.
The basic idea is based on the scene in Back to the Future 2 where Doc Brown explains with a chalkboard that the timeline has "skewed off into this tangent, creating an alternate 1985". In Donnie Darko, the tangent universe is a type of natural disaster that will eventually "snap off" and destroy both universes if allowed to continue for 28 days. There's a sort of supernatural conspiracy to correct this problem when it happens, and the whole world is unconsciously conspiring to force Donnie to close off the tangent universe by completing a sort of ritual. People can't really die in the tangent universe, so Frank becomes an omniscient spirit who tries to guide Donnie towards his goal. The writer/director explained a lot of his ideas on his fan website back in the day, and released more pages of "The Philosophy of Time Travel" book. He's a really interesting, crazy guy.
One of my favorite films of all time! Watched it when I was 15 so it had a big impact on me as a weird kid. I've never watched a movie like this. Happy to see your reactions to it!
this is the first time watching it i realize that technically the last thing he said to his mother was calling her a bitch, when in the time loop he actually accepts death in order to save her (among others) 😢
Eeeeek one of my favs. What a way to start my 2025:) I also love how weird/offputting it is, Rob. You can read the director’s “Philosophy of Time Travel” book online. He wrote it for the audience to understand the world building. It’s short too.
OMG!!! 10:39 my absolute fav movie EVER mentioned! FANGIRL MOMENT 😅 I'm completely OBSESSED with The Outsiders (as you might just guess from my name) I would LOVE for you guys to react to the movie, but i always feel like people don't fully understand it without reading the book first.
I agree with the dude in the black hat…….if Donnie had to die and Frank spends the whole movie tryna get it so that he does die, then why does he lure him out of bed in the first place? Also, I’m like, why does Donnie dying close the wormhole? What the heck opened it? We still have the matter of a huge jet engine from the future………….like I feel like the only logical solution woulda been to somehow stop the plane from taking off.
The commentary tracks are the best source of info in my opinion, as it gives you a small amount of info & context, but doesn't give too much & leaves the mystery. Personally I think the mystery & somewhat leaving it to personal interpretation(even though I hate that in some other movies) is what makes the movie, along with the editing. It loses some of the appeal if you know too much of the directors intended meanings, such as from the (bad) directors cut. The commentary tracks are also just plain enjoyable.
Every time I watch this movie I uncover something new! You guys should check out Birdman (2014) if you liked this. Delusional superhero on a grand mission concept. Has great performances and dialogue.
Man, these patrons are awful at voting for things. Took years to vote for one of the bestand most unique movies, horrific soap opera slop shows for the last 6 months. Just terrible.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
When the jet engine crashed, it created a wormhole and an alternate universe. The alternate universe is unstable and will collapse. Donnie is the central character in this alternate world, and it's where most of the movie takes place. He has to set things right and close the wormhole. This ultimately also results in his death. A lot of people in this alternate world inherently serve to make sure Donnie can move forward, which is why some of them act strangely or are drawn to him. He also has supernatural abilities in this universe - like super strength with the axe. The main plot point with Donnie as a person is that he feels alone and he's afraid to die that way. His journey in this universe gives him purpose and also shows him that he is loved, even with small things like Cherita's book. In the end, Donnie dies when the universe is fixed, but now he's able to die at peace. Everyone else does have a sense of Deja Vu where they sort of feel things from the other universe as if it were a dream. The Director's Cut of the movie actually shows the content of Roberta Sparrow's book and almost over-explains the plot.
i love that you know this much about the movie, a lot of people don’t know the theories or lore and that’s like the whole pointttt 😭 you explained it well for others who need it! i need to watch it again, such a good movie, my favorite
The directors cut is a prime example of be careful how much you play around with a film! It isn’t a great version of it.
Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.
Lmao I just came here to say this too! Hilarious
Best quote of the entire movie
I made a cross-stitch of this for my office.
Donnie Darko is one of my all time favorite movies and I’m so jazzed yall chose to watch it on the channel! It’s a classic. Can’t wait to see your reactions.
Same! I watched it for the first time this past October and it's incredible! ...i mean, it messed with my head, but the way it was created and the story is awesome!
First New Years being single in 15 years, came down with a cold and laying in bed for New Years alone. This really helped me tonight guys. Keep it up 🙏🏼
I had a close friend named Hector, who died in 1991 at age 19, and this movie reminds me of him for a few reasons. One, he suffered from schizophrenia like Donnie Darko and had hallucinations and psychosis. Two, his favorite band was Tears For Fears and this movie has two of their songs in it, along with the movie having an 80's vibe to it and since I first met him when he was 16, the 80's was big for us. And three, we had a mutual friend, his name is Frank. Frank is the one who introduced me to Hector. Unfortunately, Hector was asphyxiated during a psychosis attack when in the hospital. Hector knew weeks before that he was going to die because he told me he had gone to a tarot card reader and that the death card kept coming up. I told him not to take that literally and that the death card can have other meanings like a new beginning, but he was terrified and felt he was going to die. Frank told me that the last time he saw Hector, he was acting weird and like a different person and that the last thing he said to him as he was walking out the door, was... "I don't want to die."
cannot believe it took me 2 weeks to see this I LOVE DONNIE DARKO!!
Zuff : “I feel like this is a fever dream”
Totally agree this movie does feel like a fever dream 😂 probably is haha
I absolutely love this film and it’s cool that the “bully” character is the lead singer of a band called Phantom Planet, they are known for The OC song California.
I have NEVER clicked so fast 😂
One of my favourite channels watching one of my favourite movies you guys deserve so many more views ❤️
Drew Barrymore produced this film, and played a HUGE role in the casting.
Her role is BEYOND essential in the story, if you don’t understand it- rewatch the film.
Have you ever watched the opening of The Social Network? Did you think Erica was in the wrong?
That bunny used to and still does scare tf out of me
36:15
Fun Fact : Donnie's costume is actually more famous Halloween costume than frank the bunny costume....
Outsiders for sure!!
The amount of times Mark Del Figgalo is mentioned on this channel is wild 🤣
Yall have been killing I with the uploads lately. Much appreciated
The quote about cellar door being the most beautiful phrase comes from Tolkien so you gotta say it with a British accent without the Rs lol
The basic idea is based on the scene in Back to the Future 2 where Doc Brown explains with a chalkboard that the timeline has "skewed off into this tangent, creating an alternate 1985". In Donnie Darko, the tangent universe is a type of natural disaster that will eventually "snap off" and destroy both universes if allowed to continue for 28 days. There's a sort of supernatural conspiracy to correct this problem when it happens, and the whole world is unconsciously conspiring to force Donnie to close off the tangent universe by completing a sort of ritual. People can't really die in the tangent universe, so Frank becomes an omniscient spirit who tries to guide Donnie towards his goal.
The writer/director explained a lot of his ideas on his fan website back in the day, and released more pages of "The Philosophy of Time Travel" book. He's a really interesting, crazy guy.
MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE MOVIE!!!! Holy sh*t!!!!!! So excited for this one omfgggggggg!!!!!!!
Lmao Bryce @ 29:37 😂🤧 my sweet summer child!
Lol.... the moment he said that I was so excited the watch their reaction to the reveal.....
This part made me laugh so hard I was looking for a comment LMAOO
Another great underrated Jake gyllenheal movie is Brothers with Toby McGuire and Natalie Portman
I second this. I love that movie. All of their performances were great.
Yes! Donnie Darko is one of my all time favorite movies. So good to see your channel react to it. Such a great movie.
The first time I watched this I was so lost and confused.
ahhh you guys finally watched it! this is such a good movie, i’m glad you all enjoyed it
I literally GASPED at seeing this while scrolling I’m so excited
One of my favorite films of all time! Watched it when I was 15 so it had a big impact on me as a weird kid. I've never watched a movie like this. Happy to see your reactions to it!
What a way to start the year with one of my favorite movies, it altered my brain chemistry tbh
"I wish he would talk a little more, he's got me all confused and wandering." 😂❤
Happy New Years, everyone! This movie has such a spectacular soundtrack 🎵
This is the kind of movie you have to watch 2x
I love this movie so much, such a cult classic!
absolutely loving the movie choices lately love u guys and im so excited to see what yall react to in 2035 !!!! happy new year
this is the first time watching it i realize that technically the last thing he said to his mother was calling her a bitch, when in the time loop he actually accepts death in order to save her (among others) 😢
6:19
"That is when the world will end."
"Why?"
"Maybe cuz Dukakis"
thank you guys for reacting to thisss❤❤
Eeeeek one of my favs. What a way to start my 2025:) I also love how weird/offputting it is, Rob. You can read the director’s “Philosophy of Time Travel” book online. He wrote it for the audience to understand the world building. It’s short too.
Drew Barrymore is a producer on the film, that explains her random character.
1:25 it was Heartstopper! Tao Xu’s costume :)
I have not been watching the shows you guys currently are, so I’m super stoked for this movie! Good pic Rob:)
"Dark. Donnie. Oh..." 😂
Fun fact - The bully with the mullet is the lead singer of the band Phantom Planet .
My heart is very happy
One of my absolute faves. ❤
watched this movie when i was in middle school and loved it immediately
Hope you guys watch Nightcrawler someday! Great performance from Jake in that one.
Great reaction! Thank you for sharing! 🙏🤘🤘
Another great movie choice and another great reaction. Thanks guys. Hey, when are you doing another blooper video? Loved the last one.
Ayy thats wasup this one of my fav movies ever
OMG!!! 10:39 my absolute fav movie EVER mentioned! FANGIRL MOMENT
😅 I'm completely OBSESSED with The Outsiders (as you might just guess from my name)
I would LOVE for you guys to react to the movie, but i always feel like people don't fully understand it without reading the book first.
Loved this reaction! By the way this is one of the first movies where Drew Barrymore was involved as a Producer, through her company Flower Films :)
Y’all should watch Saved. It’s with Jenna Malone (Joanna from the hunger games) and Macaulay Culkin!
I agree with the dude in the black hat…….if Donnie had to die and Frank spends the whole movie tryna get it so that he does die, then why does he lure him out of bed in the first place? Also, I’m like, why does Donnie dying close the wormhole? What the heck opened it? We still have the matter of a huge jet engine from the future………….like I feel like the only logical solution woulda been to somehow stop the plane from taking off.
Iconic
First movie I learned of the iconic Group ‘tears for fears’
I remember loving this movie growing up, such a classic. Don't bother with the sequel.
Easily one of my favorite movies.
The commentary tracks are the best source of info in my opinion, as it gives you a small amount of info & context, but doesn't give too much & leaves the mystery. Personally I think the mystery & somewhat leaving it to personal interpretation(even though I hate that in some other movies) is what makes the movie, along with the editing.
It loses some of the appeal if you know too much of the directors intended meanings, such as from the (bad) directors cut.
The commentary tracks are also just plain enjoyable.
Omg FINALLY
October Sky to see Jake even younger in an incredible film.
Omg yay. Love this movie. Jake Gyllenhaal is so hot in it. Amazing soundtrack too
Rob please choose The Outsiders for your next movie night! 🙏
Random but I would love to see you guys react to Wicked
Another great Gyllenhaal movie is Brothers. It also has Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire. Would make for a great reaction.
2 words: SPARKLE MOTION
I’m sat. My favorite movie 🍿 😊
Every time I watch this movie I uncover something new!
You guys should check out Birdman (2014) if you liked this. Delusional superhero on a grand mission concept. Has great performances and dialogue.
You all need to watch a movie, call ,"doin time." It's very funny. The movie was from 1985, I think.
Nightcrawler and Source Code are two other Jake movies worth a watch on the channel 👀
omg i just watched this for the first time last night
While Southland Tales wasn't as praised as Donnie Darko, I till thought it was an entertaining movie
You guys should do the Hunger Games movies at some point. Jena Malone was great in the last 3.
Happy New Year guys, can you please react to The Lodge? It is a few years old now, but not a bad film, and would like your take
7:43 ooohcheck out the movie In Time with Justin Timberlake
I still dont understand this movie at all...
Drew Barrymore was a producer
did you guys fall out of love with arcane? season 2 was amazing. waiting for you guys to react
the next reaction duty after schol very exciting!!!!
Talking over the suck a f*** scene was painful 😫
oh i’m SAT
jake gyllenhaal 😼😼😼😍😍😍
Can you react to The Ring?
Man, these patrons are awful at voting for things. Took years to vote for one of the bestand most unique movies, horrific soap opera slop shows for the last 6 months. Just terrible.
Can you guys react to The Others
The movie was made for $4 million
W
Please react to tell me lies or my mad fat diary
It's is "that deep" he can lose his job cause it's crosses a line teachers can't talk about
You also appreciate this movie so much for on the second watch after understanding everything
Forcing the guy on the left to watch and comment on this movie is cruel