Donnie Darko

In Donnie Darko, a 2001 American science fiction psychological drama film written and directed by Richard Kelly, a troubled adolescent receives a disturbing vision that the world will end in 28 days. With the help of various characters, including a 6 foot rabbit called Frank, he slowly discovers the mysterious physical and metaphysical laws that govern his life and that will lead up to the destruction of the universe.  Inverting and warping themes present in classics such as “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and “Alice in Wonderland”, Kelley’s dark movie offers meaning in destiny and death , rather than choice and life.  Donnie Darko stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Noah Wyle, and Jena Malone.  Budgeted with $4.5 million, and filmed over the course of 28 days (the actual span of the movie) the film missed breaking even at the box office, grossing just over $4.1 million worldwide.  Since then, the film has received favorable reviews from critics and has developed a large cult following.

Theme: Love, Fear, and Destiny

In Chapter 12, “Grandma Death’s Book,” we find Donnie Darko, a possible teenage schizophrenic, in a counseling session with his psychiatrist.  Donnie is recounting his run-in with Roberta Sparrow, “Grandma Death”, a 101-yr-old recluse who wrote a mysterious book on time travel, which Donnie is now reading.  After almost hitting her on the road, Donnie helps Ms. Sparrow to her mailbox, where Sparrow whispers to Donnie, “Every living creature on Earth dies alone”.  Recounting this story to his psychiatrist, we see Donnie’s biggest fear; the search for God is absurd, if everyone dies alone.  When asked if this thought scares him, Donnie tearfully replies, “I don’t want to be alone.”  As believers, we know that we are never alone, for our God is our fortress, especially in times of need.

Psalm 91:1-2, 14-15

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

I will protect him, because he knows my name.

When he calls to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.

In Chapter 16, “Space and Time,” Donne stays after class to ask more questions about the science of time travel.  In a previous scene, Donnie was able to see the future paths of his family as they moved about the house, like spears coming from their chests.  Donnie comes to a remarkable conclusion: “If God decides time, then all time is pre-decided.  Every living thing follows along a set path.  If you could see your path or channel, you could see into the future”.  A glimmer of hope is exposed in Donnie, as if his argument is true, and God really does control his “channel”, then he wouldn’t die alone.  As Christians, we are thankful for a God who is intimately aware and involved in our world, for our peace is derived from our faith in the wisdom and love of an all-powerful and all knowing God who is sovereign over His creation.

Ephesians 1:7-11

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Acts 17:26-27

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find Him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us

In Chapter 23, “Open Sky”, Donnie is again in his psychiatrist office, this time under hypnosis.  We find that Donnie is experiencing a great deal of regret for his destructive actions.  Donnie seems hopeless in service to Frank, the demonic bunny, who Donnie credits with saving his life, but who continues to push Donnie to evil.  Donnie is afraid that if he doesn’t obey Frank, whom Donnie has latched on to for meaning, he will be alone.  His doctor explains to him that when he dies, all he will have to credit his life will be his works on Earth.  We see the despair of a boy who has latched on to the wrong god for service and purpose.  His quest for meaning has resulted in more pain and fear then ever before.  A move outside of “God’s channel” causes a slow, painful death, as the gods we choose to worship betray us and leave us dying for a true savior.

Romans 6:16

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

In Chapter 27, “A Storm is Coming”, we find Donnie at the bottom of the barrel: his girlfriend is dead, he’s killed an innocent man, and his mom and sister are about to die on an airplane, on which they would not have been if Donnie hadn’t burned down Cunningham’s house, all the result of serving the demonic bunny.  Donnie’s world is ending, just as he was foretold. In the midst of this utter darkness, Donnie receives a very challenging but ultimately glorious revelation: his path within “God’s channel” was for him to have died when the jet engine crashed into his house.  We then find Donnie back in his room 28 days before.  Was it all a prophetic dream, a mad delusion, or did Donnie really travel back in time?  We find Donnie happy and giggling for the first time in the whole movie, knowing that he was about to die, but, that since God does exist, he was not dying alone.  Believers in Christ similarly should have no fear of death, but peace in a loving God who directs our paths.

Romans 8:28-30, 35-39

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.