88
Metascore
15 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Village VoiceDennis LimVillage VoiceDennis LimObsessives will be familiar with the "new" material (almost all available on the original DVD), which elaborates on the time-travel metaphysics and tightens the emotional screws. Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) shares one additional tender exchange with each family member
- 100Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittThe director's cut of this 2001 cult fantasy is a deliriously subtle exploration of storytelling possibilities, and a deliciously wry teen-pic to boot. Brilliant.
- 100Los Angeles TimesKevin ThomasLos Angeles TimesKevin Thomas“Donnie Darko" was one of the best pictures released in 2001. Now that it has returned in a 20-minute longer--and richer -- director's cut, it seems sure to be ranked as one of the key American films of the decade.
- 100Dallas ObserverGregory WeinkaufDallas ObserverGregory WeinkaufIn this bolder, longer new cut, characters are allowed to finish scenes previously left as DVD extras, effects are creepier, and the theories of "the Tangent Universe" are explored in greater depth. Friends and neighbors, this is a Great American Movie.
- 90Washington PostDesson ThomsonWashington PostDesson ThomsonContains about 10 additional minutes and is as fabulous and enjoyable as ever. To be honest, I didn't even notice the new material, having not seen the original film since its 2001 release. I just saw a film that works beautifully and has held together well.
- 90Washington PostAnn HornadayWashington PostAnn HornadayIf Kelly felt it necessary to add the new material, that's all to the good. It just means there's more to love.
- 80Chicago ReaderLisa AlspectorChicago ReaderLisa AlspectorThis surreal, subversive teen drama tanked at the box office but has since become a cult favorite, prompting this new release with 20 minutes of additional footage.
- 80EmpireEmpireIf you're returning for more Donnie, you'll still have tears in your eyes come the sublime Mad World conclusion. If it's your first viewing, you should still be wowed by an astounding masterpiece. But this is undoubtedly the lesser of the two cuts, and since you have the choice, you should stick with version one.
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertThe director's cut adds footage that enriches and extends the material but doesn't alter its tone. It adds footnotes that count down to a deadline, but without explaining the nature of the deadline or the usefulness of the countdown.
- 63New York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanNew York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanImmensely moving and strikingly original, Kelly's story of a brilliant, disturbed teen (Jake Gyllenhaal) drowning in the cultural morass of the 1980s now feels bloated.