2001 Rewind: Donnie Darko


It's hard to believe, but 2001 was 25 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2001 that are turning 25 in 2026. Today, it's a unique independent drama.

Donnie: I hope that when the world comes to an end, I can breathe a sigh of relief, because there will be so much to look forward to.

Donnie Darko
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Holmes Osborne, Mary Malone, and Maggie Gyllenhaal
Director: Richard Kelly
About: This is a strange and unique cinematic journey. Gyllenhaal--both of them--is great here. I enjoy this wild and creatively dark science fiction tale from Kelly. I remember seeing this during my time in college and being taken with the use of music and the storytelling. Now 25 years later, that's still the case. This is an off-beat choice that isn't the most popular film on the list, but it's one of the most memorable from that year to me. If you like strange tales and haven't seen it, this is worth seeking out.

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