Description: With its gothic tale of a troubled teen haunted by visions of a figure in a Halloween rabbit suit, Donnie Darko was among the first cult movie phenomena of the twenty-first century, making debut director Richard Kelly Hollywood hot property before he reached his thirtieth birthday. This study narrates the film's journey from box-office bemusement through word of mouth success to the recent director's cut of the film, and also discusses fans' reactions to the film's enigmatic conclusion, explaining how Donnie Darko gripped the imagination of Generation X teenagers across the world.
Brief description: Geoff King is professor of film and television studies at Brunel University and the author of American Independent Cinema (IB Taurus 2005); Indiewood, U.S.A.: Where Hollywood Meets Independent Cinema (IB Taurus 2009); and Art Cinema: Positioning Films and the Contruction of Cultural Value (IB Taurus 2018).
Review Quotes: King's book displays an awareness and sensitivity to the many complex issues at play in any reading of Donnie Darko. As such, the book is an ideal starting point for anyone attempting to write about the film.-- "Science Fiction Film and Television"