Short description
During the presidential election of 1988, a teenager named Donnie Darko sleepwalks out of his house one night, and sees a giant, demonic-looking rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. He returns home the next morning to find that a jet engine has crashed through his bedroom. As he tries to figure out why he survived and tries to deal with people in his town, like the school bully, his conservative health teacher, and a self-help guru, Frank continues to turn up in Donnie's mind, causing him to commit acts of vandalism and worse.
Long description
The year is 1988, and "the world is coming to an end" says Frank, a six-foot, horrific deformity. An imaginary friend, visible to only Donnie Darko. Donnie is the ideal, all-American teenager, gifted with a sharp intellect, vivid imagination and a world-weary wisdom. To Donnie, normal life is simply a strange riddle that keeps everyone clueless - mostly adults, especially teachers. As Donnie will discover, behind the veneer of placid suburbia where he lives with his loving parents and two sisters, is a macabre underworld of secrets. Strange things begin to take place. The school is vandalised and the damage galvanises the community. Police question the students. An urgent PTA meeting results in a finger pointing, obscenity laced, bookbanning, free-for-all. The English teacher, Ms. Pomeroy, has her reading list attacked and new age guru, Jim Cunningham, is immediately hired to heal the children's self esteem. As the adults escalate their crusade, Donnie uncharacteristically confronts their hypocrisy and uncovers some nasty secrets - perhaps emboldened by Frank. The change in Donnie frustrates and frightens everyone in his circle, his parents, teachers, therapist, friends, siblings, and most of all, Gretchen (the new student who catches Donnie's eye). Despite Donnie's best intentions and efforts, his world and the lives of those closest to him become threatened. Donnie discovers that only he alone can affect the outcome. An outcome of fulfilling a destiny, discovering his identity and one that has all the makings of a true hero.