Movies, Quotes, Sci-Fi

Cellar Door: 16 Powerful Donnie Darko Quotes

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About Donnie Darko (2001)

What makes a movie great? Is it the subtle but repetitive use of symbolism, elements not fully explained until later, a cast of known actors, and/or all of those, and a story that isn’t a cookie-cutter plot? When I think of Donnie Darko, it manages to grab all of that and then a bag of chips…because I need snacks for movies. Jokes aside, a movie like this only comes around so often, if you haven’t seen it I’d suggest at least one watch-through.

Donnie Darko was written and directed by Richard Kelly and stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Patrick Swayze, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. This is also Seth Rogan’s first feature film.

Donnie survives an accident and afterward, the world becomes both influential and dark. How can Donnie and his family keep it together as his existence becomes stranger and stranger?

If you’re looking for a think-piece, look no further. Get comfortable and get ready to let your brain do some evaluation. If you need a few lines of dialogue to get you involved here are our best Donnie Darko quotes!

Donnie Darko Quotes

Donnie Darko: So, why did you move here?
Gretchen Ross: My mom had to get a restraining order against my stepdad. He has emotional problems.
Donnie Darko: Oh, I have those too! What kind of emotional problems does your dad have?
Gretchen Ross: He stabbed my mom four times in the chest.

“Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.” – Ms. Farmer

Donnie: Maybe you should be the one in therapy, then Mom and Dad can pay someone $200 an hour to listen to your thoughts, so we don’t have to.
Elizabeth: Okay, you want to tell Mom and Dad why you stopped taking your medication?
Donnie: You’re such a fuckass!
Elizabeth: What? Did you just call me a fuckass? You can go suck a fuck!
Donnie: Oh please, tell me Elizabeth, how exactly does one suck a fuck?
Elizabeth: You want me to tell you?
Donnie: Please, tell me.
Mrs. Darko: We will not have THIS at the dinner table. Stop!
Sarah: …What’s a fuckass?

“I promise that one day everything’s going to be better for you.” – Donnie Darko

Donnie: I made a new friend.
Psychiatrist: Real, or imaginary?
Donnie: Imaginary.

Principal: So, let’s go over this again. What exactly did you say to Ms. Farmer?
Ms. Farmer: I’ll tell you what he said. He asked me to forcibly insert the Life Line Exercise Card into my anus!

Donnie Darko: We’re moving through time.
Gretchen: …What?

“Well, I mean, didn’t your Dad, like, stab your mom?” – Ricky Danforth (Seth Rogan)

Gretchen Ross: Donnie Darko, what the hell kind of name is that? It’s like, some sort of superhero of something.
Donnie: What makes you think I’m not?

Mrs. Darko: Do you honestly think Michael Dukakis will provide for this county until you’re ready to squeeze one out?
Elizabeth Darko: Yeah, I do.
Sarah Darko: When can I squeeze one out?
Donnie Darko: Not, until 8th grade.

Frank The Bunny Quotes

“Twenty-eight days, six hours, forty-two minutes, twelve seconds. That is when the world will end.” – Frank The Bunny

Donnie: Where did you come from?
Frank The Bunny: Do you believe in time travel?

“Have you ever seen a portal?” – Frank The Bunny

Donnie: Why do you wear that stupid bunny suit?
Frank The Bunny: Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?

“I can do anything I want, and so can you.” – Frank The Bunny

Donnie Confronting Jim Cunningham

Donnie Darko: How much are they paying you to be here?
Jim Cunningham: Um, excuse me? What is your name, son?
Donnie Darko: Gerald.
Jim Cunningham: Well, Gerald, I think you’re afraid.
Donnie Darko: Are you telling us this stuff because so we can buy your book? Because, I gotta tell you, if you are that was some of the worst advice I’ve ever heard.
Jim Cunningham: You see how sad this is?
Donnie Darko: You want your sister to lose weight? Tell her to get off the couch, stop eating Twinkies, and maybe go after field hockey. You know what? Noone knows what they want to be when they grow up. You know, it takes a little while to find that out. Right, Jim? And you…yeah, you…you sick of some jerk shoving your head down the toilet? Well, you know what? Maybe you should lift some weights or take a karate lesson, and the next time he tries to do it you kick him in the balls.
Jim Cunningham: Son, do you see this? This is an anger prisoner, textbook example. Do you see the fear, people? This boy is scared to death of the truth. Son, it breaks my heart to say this, but I believe you are a very troubled and confused young man. I believe you are searching for answers in all the wrong places.
Donnie Darko: You’re right, actually, I’m pretty troubled and I’m pretty confused, and I’m afraid, really really afraid, but I think you’re the fucking antichrist.