Donnie Darko Returns to Theaters with 4K Restoration

Donnie Darko Returns to Theaters with 4K Restoration


What comes before Life? If you’re Jake Gyllenhaal, 68 award nominations, 21 wins, a relationship with Taylor Swift, and the title role in an indie sci-fi cult classic called Donnie Darko. Released in 2001, Donnie Darko saw Gyllenhaal having one of the most memorable imaginary friends in cinema, a six-foot-tall rabbit named Frank. Haven’t seen the film or in need of a refresher? You’re in luck, because Donnie Darko is returning to theaters today. On the occasion of the film’s 15th anniversary, Arrow Films, with the blessing of director Richard Kelly and cinematographer Steven Post, produced a brand-new 4K restoration from the original-cut camera negatives. It appeared in theaters in the UK in 2016, and now cinemas across the US are getting their turn. You can check out the trailer below.

A head-scratcher of a film, Donnie Darko is set in the lead-up to the 1998 presidential election and features Gyllenhaal as a troubled teen who takes up with a six-foot-tall rabbit who tells him the world is going to end in 28 days 06 hours 42 minutes and 12 seconds. The film serves up a killer soundtrack, and also has quite the cast. In addition to Gyllenhaal, featured players include Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, Mary McDonnell, Katherine Ross, Jena Malone and Noah Wyle.

When Donnie Darko was originally released in theaters in October of 2001, it suffered from a case of really bad timing. It was just a month after the events of September 11, and Donnie Darko’s gloomy tone and opening plane crash sequence were sadly not bringing people into theaters. It was only later when it was released on DVD that it found an audience. It subsequently received a director’s cut and re-release in 2011.

In New York, Donnie Darko is now playing at Metrograph, and will screen two evenings at the Cinépolis Chelsea (April 7-8). Those in Los Angeles can catch the film now at Cinefamily (with Richard Kelly in person!), Laemmle Playhouse 7, and Frida Cinema. For a complete list of all theaters, go here.

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Donnie Darko 2017 theaters

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