The Cult of Donnie Darko's Enduring Allure In the American film canon, few movies have captured the zeitgeist like Richard Kelly's 2001 magnum opus, Donnie Darko.
This cult classic has been a staple of midnight screenings and home viewing parties for nearly three decades, its influence seeping into popular culture in subtle and overt ways.
On its initial release, Donnie Darko was met with confusion and disdain by some viewers, who found its apocalyptic tone at odds with the post 9/11 mood.