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Donnie Darko
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Winningly edgy teen-angst sci-fi tragicomedy.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Donnie Darko
Parents need to know that much swearing (from all ages) and sex talk represents the generally anti-establishment viewpoint of the hero here: an angry, possibly mentally ill teen. Classroom vandalism (apparently committed by the hero under some sort of spell) and profane disrespect of teachers and authority-figure adults is part of the plot, and not exactly frowned upon. There is teen sex (non-explicit), references to pornography, and violent death at the end.
Read our full review by Charles Cassady Jr.
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what in the twisty plot is "real" or not, and whether the "philosophy of time travel" holds up. Could this whole story all be the result of delusional Donnie not taking his medication, as his family complains at the start? Did Donnie ever have control over the events that unfold?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in FloridaI rate this title iffy for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
I love this no matter what. It Is a really good movie for sure. I mean yes it does have a fair bit of language and violence but either way, this is a good movie well worth it!
- I rate this title on for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
Donnie Darko is definitely psychotic. The bunny Frank is disturbing and Donnie has serious mental issues. However, he does show a positive message in sacrificing oneself for the ones that he loves. There is explicit cussing and brief sexuality.
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Deeply thought provoking intellectual mind trip- not for under 12!!
Best I've seen since danny boyle's 28 days later!! At 14, I just saw Donnie Darko, on recomendation from my teacher. It's one crazy trip of a movie; intellectual, and exposing of the problems in our world... Not to get a big head, but some kids my age might not get the message quite right. So, I rate it iffy for 14, cause of the smoking & cocaine use (and of Donnie's serious character flaw.) It's a movie for *you* parents to see first, before you let guys my age see it.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Amazing Film
This is one of the best movies you will ever see in your life, I promise you. The story line messes with your mind It's like no other film I know of. I think you need to be carful about your kids watching this if they think too deeply about things or don't like big freaky rabbits don't let them watch but other than that, a top quality film! :)
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Director's Cut Review
I only saw the Director's cut, but it was still a great movie! Sex: Some Disscussion, but not much Language: Lots of f-words, some other Alchol/Drug Use: Donnie and his friends drink and smoke. Negative Role Models: Donnie and friends are really negative, especially Donnie himself.
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
DO NOT LET LITTLE KIDS WATCH THIS MOVIE!
Language: VERY strong language...it's not just the F-Word or B-word it's everything! In every scene there's strong language. Sex: Donnie and Ritchie have sex but you don't see anything. Violence: The actual Frank is shot in the eye by Donnie on Halloween because he ran over Ritchie. Teens threaten each other with knives. Donnie floods the school and burns a house for, according to Frank (The weird blue bunny) he's preventing the world from ending. Finally (SPOILER ALERT!) Donnie dies from being crushed by a plane propeller.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
It's more about human and teenage isolation than about the end of the world.
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
Mad World
Amazing you got to see it! Any questions just ask.
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
Wow, Frank in the bunny costume is cute.
That's how odd I am. Anyway, it took me a while to get what happened at the end of the movie. It is a great movie. Plus, I learned a couple of new insults.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 100% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
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