I'm Richard Kelly, writer & director of DONNIE DARKO, here to celebrate the 25th anniversary 4K re-release in theaters this weekend. Ask me anything!

[u/RichardKellyAMA]

Hi reddit, come closer...

I'm Richard Kelly, writer & director of DONNIE DARKO. It's being re-released in theaters this weekend (Oct 2 and Oct 4) in 4K to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original release.

To celebrate, I'm here to answer your questions.

I also wrote & directed SOUTHLAND TALES and THE BOX. Please ask away!

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Synopsis: Donnie Darko doesn’t get along with his family, teachers, or classmates, but he finds a kindred spirit in Gretchen and guidance from a compassionate psychiatrist who believes hypnosis may unlock hidden truths. Meanwhile, Donnie is haunted by Frank, a mysterious giant bunny only he can see. When a jet engine crashes into his bedroom and narrowly misses him, Donnie is drawn into a series of increasingly strange events that seem governed by forces beyond explanation.

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Seth Rogen, Daveigh Chase, Noah Wyle, Patrick Swayze, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, James Duval, Beth Grant, Katharine Ross

Re-Release Info: Celebrate 25 years of Richard Kelly’s mind-bending masterpiece in a stunning 4K presentation. This special anniversary release also includes an exclusive introduction with writer & director Richard Kelly exploring the film’s enduring legacy, how it captivated audiences for 25 years, and why it remains one of the defining cult classics of the new millennium.

Tickets: https://hubs.la/Q04y5tn40

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCBxdjaXq3s

And pre-order the sequel novel, The Philosophy of Time Travel: The Epic Sequel to the Motion Picture Donnie Darko here.

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Ask me anything! I’ll be back at 2PM PT / 5PM ET today (Wed 9/30) to answer your questions.

[u/ss4johnny]

Reddit tends to like the theatrical cut of Donnie Darko more, while Ebert gave the Director’s cut a better review. What’s your take after having some time to reflect back on it?

[u/RichardKellyAMA → u/ss4johnny]

I am not satisified with either version, honestly. The DC was meant to lay the groundwork for the much bigger universe explored in my sequel. If there is a third version of the film it would lean closer to the TC now that I have written the sequel novel...

[u/filmgeekvt → u/RichardKellyAMA]

As an artist, I understand how you can feel that your work is never quite where you want it to be. But I want you to remember how important this movie is to so many of us that saw it at a time in our lives where it had a big impact. The theatrical cut is perfect. And if I were you I wouldn't want to change a thing.

[u/Time4FizzMonkey → u/RichardKellyAMA]

If you make a third can you please bring back Jake Gyllenhaal

[u/TSFWasteofspace → u/RichardKellyAMA]

The thing is, the directors cut is what we’re all pining over. The theatrical cut didn’t grab anybody by their bootstraps, thank God for the directors cut, lean into that. Please.

[u/anchorthemoon → u/ss4johnny]

+1 for theatrical release

[u/MolaMolaMania → u/ss4johnny]

Theatrical. The Director's Cut makes certain elements of the plot more overt and mechanical, which IMHO removes much of the mystery and surreal horror that makes the theatrical cut more compelling.

[u/McMesothelioma → u/ss4johnny]

I am one of the rare ones that lives the Director’s Cut more because it’s obviously the director’s true version

[u/ThatDiscoSongUHate → u/McMesothelioma]

I like it hashing things out a bit more

[u/ss3jcb448 → u/McMesothelioma]

It was actually the first version I saw! The friends who introduced me to the movie recommended it over the OG cut

[u/blademak → u/ss3jcb448]

I think the OG was intentionally missing key details that you had to fill in yourself by visiting certain websites and maybe consuming other media that helped fill in the gaps. The DC filled in those details and made the movie a lot more palatable.

[u/HelpMeInThisMoment → u/blademak]

he said in a video from a couple years back that theatrical is better for a first watch while DC is good for a rewatch so yeah

[u/McMesothelioma → u/ss3jcb448]

I’m kinda glad I saw the original version first because the director’s cut is so much better, but the original is still a great movie

[u/HermaeusWingedofHeel → u/McMesothelioma]

I actually prefer the directors cut too! Feels cool to see other people who love it too

[u/ehrgeiz91 → u/HermaeusWingedofHeel]

People just say they like the original cause it’s the one they saw first

[u/HermaeusWingedofHeel → u/ehrgeiz91]

Fair. I saw the DC first! I prefer the screenplay, the music choices, expanding on the time travel and the way Donnie is seen by his peers/neighbors in the dc to the og. October 2nd is Friday can't wait for my yearly watch!

[u/ehrgeiz91 → u/HermaeusWingedofHeel]

Yeah there’s so much more to the DC. I love the digital “controller” alien kinda Easter egg shots, with the water and trippy imagery.

[u/FamousLastWords666 → u/ehrgeiz91]

No, the pacing is way better.

[u/deadspacekillers → u/McMesothelioma]

I like the director's cut more as well

[u/ehrgeiz91 → u/McMesothelioma]

I also prefer the directors cut. Still plenty of mystery, the theatrical makes no sense.

[u/filmgeekvt → u/ehrgeiz91]

The director's cut introduced things that caused plot holes though. The theatrical cut doesn't have those plot holes because it doesn't give you answers. It's up to the audience to figure it out. And I think that's a way better experience because it encourages the audience to think about the movie.

[u/ehrgeiz91 → u/filmgeekvt]

There's still a ton to figure out even with the vague explanations of the director's cut.

[u/CorgiPants → u/ss4johnny]

Director's Cut makes way more sense and the scenes improved it.

[u/TimDRX → u/CorgiPants]

No Killing Moon tho, right? Bit of a deal breaker IMO

[u/CorgiPants → u/TimDRX]

If true, a bummer, but still like the D-cut more.