Donnie Darko
Richard Kelly’s debut feature focuses on Donald “Donnie” Darko, an emotionally troubled teen who narrowly escapes death in a freak accident, and starts seeing a man in a large rabbit suit called Frank who tells him that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. The films’ psychological time-warping storyline, paired with a superbly awkward performance from Jake Gyllenhaal and a killer Eighties soundtrack, generated an underground cult following after its DVD release, eventually propelling it into the mainstream, boosting the career trajectories of Jake and his on- and off-screen sister Maggie. Featuring superb support roles from Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Drew Barrymore, and especially the late Patrick Swayze playing very much against type.