#roberta sparrow

[lascitasdelashoras]

Roberta Sparrow - The philosophy of timer travel

[7ottenthings]

ϩ8:0Ϭ:५ϩ:1ϩ

[whatkindanameisdonniedarko]

every living thing dies alone

[t1nym4u5x2]

I know you asked me a few days ago to see my Donnie Darko tattoo, then I posted it a day late and I feel like it quickly got lost in my chaos posting but I wanted to make sure you see it :3

Thanks ^.^ I dig the ax 👌

The directors cut to that movie lives rent free in my head 🖤

[taiturner]

Dear Roberta Sparrow, I've reached the end of your book and there's so many things l need to ask you. Sometimes I'm afraid of what you might tell me. Sometimes I'm afraid that you'll tell me that this is not a work of fiction. I can only hope that the answers will come to me in my sleep. I hope that when the world comes to an end, I can breathe a sigh of relief because there will be so much to look forward to.

TJ MIKELOGAN'S HALLOWEEN 2023 EVENT, Day 14 Classic Horror Film: DONNIE DARKO (2001) dir. Richard Kelly

[jackiequick]

Bravery in Her Blood | April Merlyn♡

-> Face Claim: Grace Phipps

Name: April Roberta Merlyn-Queen

Aliases/Nicknames: Ally, Robbie, Goldie, Sparrow

Age: 8-22 years old (age depending on appearance)

Height: 5'2

Birthday: March 20

Zodiac Sign: Pisces  

Family:

Biological Father: Tommy Merlyn

Biological Mother: Isla Mendes

Uncle/Adoptive Father Figure: Oliver Queen

Aunt/Mother Figure: Dinah Laurel Lance

Aunt: Thea Queen

Uncle: John Diggle

Biological Grandfather: Malcolm Merlyn

Grandmother: Moira Queen

Grandfather: Robert Queen

Background:

April Roberta Merlyn, known affectionately as "Robbie" or "Goldie," was born into a complex family with connections to both the Merlyn and Queen families. Her childhood was marked by the dynamic relationships within her family, including her close bond with her biological father, Tommy Merlyn, and her adoptive father figure, Oliver Queen.

Raised primarily by Tommy, April grew up as a daddy's girl, cherishing her time with him and viewing him as the best father figure in her eyes. Her relationship with her Aunt Laurel also played a significant role in her upbringing, with Laurel serving as a maternal figure and role model for April.

Despite the challenges and turmoil within her family, April developed a protective streak, often finding herself entangled in their struggles and challenges. Her loyalty to her family was unwavering, even as she grappled with her own fears and vulnerabilities.

———————————

Personality:

April Roberta Merlyn is a dynamic and multifaceted individual. She is ambitious and determined, always striving to achieve her goals and make her mark on the world. Her wit and charisma make her a natural at connecting with others, and her courage and compassion shine through in her interactions. 

April is also creative and imaginative, often using her talents in writing and photography to express herself and capture the beauty of the world around her. Her loyalty and kindness are unwavering, making her a reliable and supportive friend.

Despite her positive attributes, April has her struggles. She can sometimes be lazy and unmotivated, preferring the comfort of her own world to facing challenges head-on. Darkened by revenge for what happened to her father and hatred towards her grandfather. Trust issues and feelings of hopelessness occasionally cloud her judgment, leading to moments of jealousy and rash decisions. 

However, her faithfulness and respect for others usually guide her back on track. April's journey is one of growth and self-discovery, as she learns to balance her strengths and weaknesses while navigating the complexities of her family's legacy and her own aspirations.

Skills and Interests:

April is a talented writer and aspiring copywriter/content writer, with a passion for storytelling and creative expression. She enjoys photography, writing, and occasionally playing the guitar in her free time. In her youth, she created videos using her Barbies, showcasing her early creative instincts.

April also has experience playing baseball and possesses basic combat skills, having learned archery and firearm handling from Oliver, Diggle, and Laurel. Despite her initial reluctance to engage in combat, April eventually embraces these skills as a means of self-defense and protection for herself and her loved ones.

Relationships:

While April is single for the most part, she develops occasional crushes on individuals like Dick Grayson, Superboy, and others. Her friendships extend to superheroes like Supergirl, The Flash, Batgirl, The Atom, Starfire, Miss Martian, and Beast Boy, among others, highlighting her ability to form meaningful connections beyond her family.

--------------------------------

Likes:

Writing and storytelling

Photography

Playing the guitar

Making videos using her Barbies (when she was younger)

Baseball

Spending time with her family and friends

Watching comfort movies

Dislikes:

Betrayal and manipulation

Feeling trapped or powerless

Uncertainty and instability

Conflict and violence

Being lied to or deceived

Feeling isolated or alone

Professional Aspirations:

April aspires to become a copywriter or content writer, leveraging her passion for writing and storytelling to pursue a career in creative and strategic communication. She envisions herself using her skills to craft compelling narratives and connect with audiences through impactful and engaging content.

~~~~~~~~~

Strengths:

Ambitious and determined

Charismatic and witty

Courageous and compassionate

Respectful and kind

Creative and imaginative

Faithful and loyal

Weaknesses:

Tendency towards laziness and lack of motivation

Struggles with trust issues and feelings of hopelessness

Prone to bouts of jealousy and rash decision-making

Vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation by others

Difficulty managing intense emotions and conflicts

Can become hateful and switch sides depending on the situation

Challenges & Turmoils:

April has faced numerous challenges and traumas shaped by the tumultuous events surrounding her family's past and their involvement in dangerous conflicts. The custody battle between Oliver and Malcolm placed her in the center of a power struggle, along with issues within the League of Assassins, forcing her to confront her own fears and vulnerabilities.

The death of her father, Tommy Merlyn, in a tragic accident deeply impacted April, leaving her grappling with grief and loss. The traumatic events surrounding her aunt, Thea Queen, further tested April's resilience and fortitude, exposing her to violence and danger that threatened her sense of security and stability.

Despite these challenges, April has demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience, navigating the complexities of her family's legacy and finding her own path amidst the chaos and turmoil. Her journey towards self-discovery and healing promises to be a compelling narrative of growth and redemption.

———————————————————

->Discovery of Oliver's Secret Identity:

One evening, during a lavish party at the Queen mansion, chaos erupted as intruders infiltrated the premises, sending guests fleeing for safety. Amidst the confusion, April found herself separated from her family, lost in the crowd as panic spread throughout the house.

As she sought refuge on an upper floor, April stumbled upon a masked figure clad in green, engaged in a fierce battle with the intruders across the hall. Fear gripped her as she instinctively reached for the nearest objects, hurling them towards the intruder in a desperate attempt to defend herself.

To her surprise, the masked figure approached her with caution, his voice gentle and reassuring as he spoke. April's initial fear gave way to curiosity as the figure revealed himself to be none other than her uncle, Oliver Queen, known to the world as the vigilante Green Arrow.

In disbelief, April questioned Oliver's motives and identity, uncertain of whether to trust him. However, Oliver's gentle demeanor and familiarity with her family's history convinced her of his sincerity.

With a mixture of shock and awe, April watched as Oliver removed his hood, revealing his face beneath the mask. In that moment, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, and April realized the truth about her uncle's secret identity.

Overwhelmed by the revelation, April struggled to comprehend the implications of Oliver's double life as both her beloved uncle and the masked vigilante who fought to protect their city. However, as Oliver extended his hand in reassurance, April made a silent promise to keep his secret, knowing that their bond as family was stronger than any mask or disguise.

With a newfound sense of understanding and connection, April emerged from the encounter with a deeper appreciation for her uncle's heroism and the sacrifices he made to keep their family safe. As she reunited with her loved ones, April carried with her the weight of Oliver's secret, a silent guardian of the truth amidst the chaos of their tumultuous lives.

—————————————————

Archery and Marksmanship:

April possesses a natural talent for archery, honing her skills with dedication and passion. She first discovered her love for the sport under the guidance of her uncle Oliver, who recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue marksmanship as a means of self-defense.

Though April also knows how to handle firearms, her favorite weapon of choice is a crossbow. She finds comfort and familiarity in the weapon's design and mechanics, favoring its precision and versatility in combat situations.

Whether at home or at the Arrow Cave, April can often be found practicing her marksmanship with her crossbow, fine-tuning her aim and mastering her technique. She approaches each shot with determination and focus, channeling her passion and conviction into every arrow she looses.

As she grows in skill and confidence, April embraces her aunt Thea's words of wisdom, remembering what she's fighting for with every shot she takes. 

The quote, "If you remember what you're fighting for, you'll never miss your target.”, becomes a mantra for April, guiding her in both her marksmanship and her life's journey as a guardian of justice and defender of her family.

With her unwavering determination and her trusty crossbow in hand, April stands ready to face whatever challenges may come her way, knowing that as long as she keeps her eyes on her target and her heart set on her purpose, she will never miss the mark.

--------------------------------------------

—April Roberta Merlyn is a young woman shaped by the legacy of her family and her own personal trials, continuously growing and discovering her path.

As she navigates the challenges ahead, one thing is certain: her story is far from over, and the future holds endless possibilities for this resilient and determined heroine.

~~~~

That's all folks! Pls let me know what you think Remember to like, comment and share

Tags: @gaminggirlsstuff @missstrawbs2001 @daughter-of-melpomene @t-nd-rfoot @yetanotherwells @rickb-chaos @sherloquestea @gcthvile @ohgodnotagainn @topgun-imagines @superspookyjanelle @xgoddessoffandomsx @cherrysft @lazywolfwiccan

[secretangeldoll]

what do you think about donnie darko? :) (characters, message, plot, visuals, technical stuff)

this is an amazing question simply because i love donnie darko. i’ve seen it nine times now and it’s definitely one of my many favourites. i’ve seen both the directors cut and the original release but i prefer the original. I think one thing i love about donnie darko is the sound track. It has so many good songs such as the killing moon, mad world and songs made for the movie like liquid sphere waltz. donnie darko is one of those movies that make you think (psychological) those are my favourite type of movies because they extend beyond the usual simple wrapped up ending of a movie. when you first watch it it’s confusing but after a few watching you can understand it better. like the fact that grandma death (roberta sparrow) checked her mailbox everyday multiple times. this is because she saw the future and saw that donnie darko eventually ends up setting her the letter which is read in the end. there are a lot of debates to whether donnie is schizophrenic or he did in fact travel through time. i believe he did in fact travel through time because of small stuff like the letter. one my favourite scenes in the movie is when donnie and gretchen are in the theatre and gretchen falls alseep and donnie sees frank and he asks him “why are you wearing that stupid bunny suit” to which frank responds with “why are you wearing that stupid man suit” i think this is meant to show that donnie is almost a higher power because of the fact he is able to time travel meaning he is not totally human. another one of my favourite scenes is at the end when mad world is playing and everyone is walking up and they look confused and upset. it shows frank working on drawing of his halloween costume (the bunny) and he reaches up to touch his eye which is a parallel to when he got shot in the future. i read a theory on this and it said it’s because when someone time travels and creates a copy of the original world anyone who affects that copy world is also mentally affected in the original world even if none of that has or will happen. i could go on four hours about my theory’s and thoughts on this movie but this is already super long but let me know if you want to hear more!!

[steddieunderdogfics]

Dreams In Which I'm Dying by atmilliways

Rating: Teen and Up

9,399 words, 16/16 chapters

Archive Warning: No Warning

Tags: POV Eddie Munson, Eddie Munson Lives, Chrissy still dies (sorry), Chrissy Dies at Benny's Burgers, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Time Loop, First Kiss, and then a second first kiss, Donnie Darko AU, Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Implied/Referenced Drug Use

Summary:

Eddie Munson hesitates right outside the doors to Hawkins High, blinking at the crowded parking lot. He can’t quite put his finger on why this isn’t what he expected to see a moment ago, or why his head feels stuffed with cotton. It's not unlike being high, but . . . more like waking up from a vivid dream. Or, Eddie Munson gets a taste of what would’ve happened if he hadn’t picked Chrissy up after the championship game. - “If a Tangent Universe occurs, it will be highly unstable, sustaining itself for no longer than several weeks.” — The Philosophy of Time Travel (Sparrow, Roberta)

This is a MOD rec as a part of our Fic Fridays.

Know a fic that deserves extra love? Submit through our asks or the submission box!

[losergendered]

ID: a flag with 11 stripes that is a gradient from midnight blue to muted teal to dark purple. END ID

PHILOTIMETRAVELIC: a gender related to the (fictional) book The Philosophy of Time Travel by Roberta Sparrow from the movie Donnie Darko

Coinfight revenge on @rabidbatboy !

Points: 5 + 6 (revenge) = 11

@coinfight

[trnktgh0st]

i think of the biggest reasons i like the director's cut better is the extra dialog we get with donnie and his parents.

the convo with his dad telling him he should always talk about his experiences even if others think hes crazy

his mom saying its vreat to have a wacko for a son

and then him gaining clarity as he writes his letter to roberta sparrow and then tells his mom there's nothing broken in his brain

a n d the extra scene of his therapist telling him his pills are placebos???

these are small details that have big impact

[will80sbyers]

No but now I was thinking about Donnie Darko and like I think I had talked about it last year too maybe for the time loop theories or read something about it I don't remember now, but this makes me think about the Upside Down and time stuff in stranger things and then I remembered Roberta Sparrow and the fact that Max was in the "Sparrow" team shirt when El finds her in her memories...

I have to rewatch- I always took the "universe" as a timeline which it kinda is but yeah it makes more sense that time&space go together so visualizing this timeline as a universe makes more sense and for stranger things too where we deal with physical dimensions clearly

[bracketsoffear]

The Amazing Karnak (Ride the Cyclone) "Karnak is a novelty machine, clearly with sentience, that can predict the exact time and place of somebody's death. He himself was shut down, but successfully predicted the deaths of the St. Cassian Chamber Choir before they died in a rollercoaster accident. Karnak seems to have a limited sort of control over human mortality, as he has the ability to bring people back from the dead, but he himself seems to be trapped in an eternal purgatory, not quite active, not quite defunct. He knows of his own death, of his own mortality, and it doesn't bother him. Despite not being human, he represents human mortality in a strange, awfully comedic way."

Grandma Death/Roberta Sparrow (Donnie Darko) "She’s a living reminder of our impending mortality. In the town she tends to generally spook people by her wandering actions, invoking the fear of aging, senility, and death that nigh everyone has, but for the lead, Donnie Darko, she has a much more personal impact. Roberta whispers in Donnie’s ear ‘every living creature on earth dies alone.’ This sticks with Donnie, who is already afraid of the world dying, and when he goes into his therapist’s office, he admits to his own feelings of terror and despair in the face of inevitability and the futility of life."

[jasmancer]

thinking abt how like all of donnie darko's positive/meaningful relationships are with women. Gretchen his mom his older sister his psych his teacher Roberta Sparrow. his dad is distant. the science teacher doesn't really engage with him like his English teacher does and gets kinda tetchy with him. his "friends" are shitty boys that he only really seems to tolerate. hell he likes cherita better than them and they've never had a real conversation. he took her earmuffs and wandered off with them when she dropped them. cherita and his english prof are arguably the characters he liked the most outside of gretchen and his family and they're the only ones sleeping peacefully during the end sequence. idk much to think about

[atmilliways]

Dreams In Which I'm Dying (1-2)

parts 1 & 2 of 16 | 365 & 951 words | Teen +

part 3 | parts 4 & 5 | parts 6 & 7 | part 8 | part 9 | parts 10 & 11 | parts 12 & 13 | part 14 | parts 15 & 16 (complete) | read on Ao3

Written for the Stranger Music Anthology prompt, Mad World by Tears for Fears. This is a Donnie Darko AU! (It’s not vitally important to have seen Donnie Darko before reading this fic, but it’s a cool movie so you should watch it if you haven’t yet.)

Summary:

Eddie Munson hesitates right outside the doors to Hawkins High, blinking at the crowded parking lot. He can’t quite put his finger on why this isn’t what he expected to see a moment ago, or why his head feels stuffed with cotton. It's not unlike being high, but . . . more like waking up from a vivid dream. Or, Eddie Munson gets a taste of what would’ve happened if he hadn’t picked Chrissy up after the championship game. - “If a Tangent Universe occurs, it will be highly unstable, sustaining itself for no longer than several weeks.” — The Philosophy of Time Travel (Sparrow, Roberta)

1 - Cold

Eddie Munson is cold. It’s cold in the Upside Down. Once the novelty of adrenaline and sheer off the charts levels of what the fuck is off the charts wears off, though. . . .

The cold is in his goddamn bones. So the shiver doesn’t feel out of place at first, between that and the fucking demon bats clawing their way through the dark mirrorverse version of his bedroom door. The hairs at the nape of his neck standing on end also feel pretty goddamn warranted, given the situation. And yet, as he grasps the bedsheet rope hanging from the gap in the ceiling, Eddie looks around.

Nothing has caught his eye, making him hesitate. 

He doesn’t see anything, it’s more like a feeling. A nothing that hangs in front of him like an invisible bubble, long and thick and leading towards the trailer’s front door. Might be because he hasn’t exactly gotten a good night’s sleep since his world started imploding on Friday, and now it’s. . . .

Jesus H. Christ, he has no idea what day it is anymore. 

Glancing at his bedroom door again, Eddie can see how hard it’s rattling on its flimsy hinges. They’ll get through it soon, and then what? He played, they followed; he and Dustin holed up inside the trailer, they followed; once through the gate and back in the real Hawkins, they’ll follow.  

It’s a compulsion kind of feeling, carrying with it an icy grain of inevitability. He's responsible for Dustin's safety, goddammit. If that means following invisible sleep deprivation bubble trails in the air because he knows it’s the right thing to do, then so be it. 

After all, he might die tonight either way. 

With that crappy self-motivational speech under his belt, Eddie cuts the rope. He ignores Dustin’s wailing protests. Chances are thigh that the chest-height trail he follows is a hallucination, but he’s already in an alternate fucking dimension, so who’s to say. If he is going crazy, it’s not like he’ll have a chance to tell anyone and get whisked off to Pennhurst.

He runs out the trailer door, almost tripping over the threshold with all the grace of a jet engine plummeting to earth.

2 - Hesitates

Eddie Munson hesitates right outside the doors to Hawkins High, blinking at the crowded parking lot. He can’t quite put his finger on why this isn’t what he expected to see a moment ago, or why his head feels stuffed with cotton. It's not unlike being high, but . . . more like waking up from a vivid dream.

Grant thumps into him from behind and almost sends Eddie sprawling. “Hey,” Eddie barks, not sure why it comes out so sharp. Jesus, someone walking into him should not make him this jittery.

“Dude, don’t stop right in front of the door,” Grant retorts with a smirk, riding too high on the successful campaign to be annoyed.

The basketball game is over too, a mix of students and adults still flowing out the open gym doors into the night. Eddie had planned to sidle over there, find Chrissy, and give her a lift back to his place for that sale, but . . . something in his gut is muttering nope, uh-uh, not today. He waves to Grant and Jeff as they leave, then digs around in his pockets for his smokes and zippo. Lights up while he loiters with the Hellfire members who don’t have their own wheels.

“Bum one?” Gareth asks hopefully, but Eddie upends the battered pack to show how empty it is. Deflating, Gareth turns to the younger kids. “You guys all got rides?”

If they don’t, Eddie is already prepared to offer. Not that he’s exactly sure when he decided on doing that, when he should go off-load the last of his Special K stash. He'd sworn to Wayne he’d flushed it. . . .

(A little white lie, he figures, because selling isn’t taking it and that was the meat of what he’d promised. But, if he sells it, what happens if he flunks again and needs to stave off a breakdown? Or spiral into one, whatever.)

It's well-hidden. What Wayne doesn’t know won’t hurt him. It's fine.

Distracted, he gazes off at nothing in particular as he smokes. Movement somewhere high catches his attention and he focuses on one of the lamps doing a poor job of illuminating the parking lot. There’s something perched on it, the size of a cat but all the wrong shape. It has too many tails and arms that bunch around it like spider legs but bulkier, connected, and seems to stare right at him. Eddie can feel it watching, even though he can’t see any glint of eyes.

Slowly, it raises one leg—Jesus H. Christ, it’s webbed, like some sort of fucked up bat wing—and curls the clawed end in a slow approximation of a wave. 

“Henderson!”

Eddie nearly swallows his cigarette and reels around to see, of all people, Steve Harrington jogging over. 

The Hair. The Golden Boy. King Steve, who had graduated last year and by all rights should have scraped this shitty town from the bottom of his shoe by now. Eddie feels both shocked at their little nerd herd earning the royal-emeritus attention and not surprised to see the guy in the slightest.

Must be all the many, many of Dustin’s stories about the guy finally sinking in. That, and the fact that Steve is a walking high school wet dream, his own graduation notwithstanding.

“Henderson,” Steve says again, closer now. “You guys need a ride home?”

“I thought you had a date,” Dustin sputters. “You said you couldn’t play because you have a date!”

Steve rolls his eyes, even as Gareth watches the exchange suspiciously. Eddie hasn’t forgotten the King Steve days either, but the exchange so far does lend credit to Dustin's claims that Steve has changed.

“Rude. I did have a date, I took her to the game. Which is over now, ergo so is the date.”

“Ergo,” Mike scoffs under his breath. (Which is funny, because he’s backed Dustin up on a lot of the ‘Steve is so badass’ stories.)

Because Eddie is staring at Steve, their eyes catch. And, okay—Eddie knows he can come across as intense, especially with the jumpy, keyed up energy buzzing through him right now. The look he gets isn’t as dismissive as he’s used to from the jock crowd, though. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think Steve is trying to puzzle him out. . . . It’s giving him the strangest sense of déjà vu.

“And you’re not driving her home?” Dustin crosses his arms. “I thought you were a gentleman, Steve.”

Jesus, Eddie thinks, averting his eyes and sucking on the last of his cigarette, the attitude on this kid.

“She said she wanted to go with her friends to the diner,” Steve protests, exasperated. “But fine, you’re good, I can tell. Wheeler, Erica, how about you? Who would you rather ride with, me or Nancy?”

Mike grimaces at his older sister’s name. In contrast, Erica marches towards Steve, her American flag cape fluttering behind her. “I’m riding with you, since there’s ice cream in it for me.”

There isn’t an ice cream parlor between the high school and Maple Street, as far as Eddie knows, but Steve takes it in stride with a shrug and a nod. Suddenly they and Dustin are heading for Steve's car, calling goodnight and good game to Eddie and Gareth over their shoulders.

“What,” Gareth says after a moment, “the fuck was that?”

“No idea,” Eddie mutters, pinching and rolling the spent cigarette between thumb and forefinger. The motion is so familiar that he doesn’t have to watch to know when the tobacco has finished falling, just pockets the empty filter and paper to toss later. He needs to move, needs to get out of here. “Want a lift, or are you still gonna wait for your mom?”

[bell-y-aches]

A Name List for your wip, stories, ect.

Fem names

Arilla

Amarithia

Ambrosine

Anathema

Araminta

Ashton

Aura

Beleia

Bliss

Blossom

Carmella

Cassia

Charity

Cherise

Chrystina

Citra

Clemency

Cleo

Clover

Coriander

Corissa

Cosmictrance

Cymbeline

Cymberliegh

Dahlia

Daphne

Desert Rose

Edweena

Ella

Epiphany

Essence

Eva

Evelyn

Fawn

Felisha

Fern

Fern

Flavienne

Flora

Georgina

Grace

Hazel

Heather

Heaven

Honora

Indigo

Iris

Isla

Ivy

Jasmine

Jewel

Joy

July

June

Katriona

Kokabilla

Liberty

Lily

Lotus

May

Mayhem

Munira

Meadow

Nova

Obsidian

Olive

Oriana 

Orla

Pearl

Peony

Piper

Pria

Prieto

Poppy

Raven

Rebel

Roberta

Robin

Rosannah

Rose

Rosemary

Rue

Sage 

Samantha

Seneca

September

Sonya

Sparrow

Sunshine

Suspira

Siiria

Symphony

Temperence

Terra

Tasha

Thalassophile 

Thillo

Tina

Trinity 

Twill

Twyla

Violet

Vanity

Willow

Winter

Wren

Yolanda

Ambiguous names

Adrijan

Alanis

Alaris

Ashton

Benevolent

Cashmere 

Cosmic

Dre

Fifi

Forest

Niilo

Orian

Phoenix

Pip (Pippy)

Pria

Pluto

Seneca

Sparrow

Masc names

Aaron

Bartholomew

Briony

Cassian

Charles

Dimitri

Drudin

Driden

Eagle

Edgar

Edmun 

Emery

Emerse

Everett

Felix

Hawk

Henry

Hugo

Jasper

Joshua

Nash 

Mocking Jay

Portillo

Prieto

Pacheto

Otto

Tipton

Tillo

[nihilistvet]

Donnie Darko Plot

On October 2, 1988, troubled teenager Donald "Donnie" Darko sleepwalks outside, led by a mysterious voice. Once outside, he meets a figure in a monstrous rabbit costume named Frank who tells Donnie that the world will end in precisely 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. Donnie wakes up the next morning on the green of a local golf course and returns home to discover a jet engine has crashed into his bedroom. His older sister Elizabeth tells him the FAA investigators do not know its origin.

Over the next several days, Donnie continues to have visions of Frank, and his parents Eddie and Rose send him to psychotherapist Dr. Thurman. Thurman believes Donnie is detached from reality, and that his visions of Frank are "daylight hallucinations," symptomatic of paranoid schizophrenia. Frank asks Donnie if he believes in time travel, who, in turn, asks his science teacher Dr. Kenneth Monnitoff. Monnitoff gives Donnie The Philosophy of Time Travel, a book written by Roberta Sparrow, a former science teacher at the school who is now a seemingly senile old woman living outside of town, known to the local teenagers as Grandma Death. Donnie also starts seeing Gretchen Ross, who has recently moved into town with her mother under a new identity to escape her violent stepfather.

Frank begins to influence Donnie's actions through his sleepwalking episodes, including causing him to flood his high school by breaking a water main. Gym teacher Kitty Farmer attributes the act of vandalism to the influence of the short story "The Destructors", assigned by dedicated English teacher Karen Pomeroy. Kitty begins teaching “attitude lessons” taken from local motivational speaker Jim Cunningham, but Donnie rebels against these, leading to friction between Kitty and Rose. Kitty arranges for Cunningham to speak at a school assembly, where Donnie insults him. He later finds Cunningham's wallet and address, and Frank suggests setting his house on fire. Firefighters discover a hoard of child pornography there. Cunningham is arrested, and Kitty, who wishes to testify in his defense, asks Rose to chaperone their daughters' dance troupe on its trip to Los Angeles.

With Rose in Los Angeles and Eddie away for business, Donnie and Elizabeth hold a Halloween costume party to celebrate Elizabeth's acceptance to Harvard. At the party, Gretchen arrives distraught as her mother has gone missing, and she and Donnie make love for the first time. When Donnie realizes that Frank's prophesied end of the world is only hours away, he takes Gretchen and two other friends to see Sparrow. Instead of Sparrow, they find two high school bullies, Seth and Ricky, who were trying to rob Sparrow's home. Donnie, Seth, and Ricky get into a fight in the road in front of her house, just as Sparrow was returning home. An oncoming car swerves to avoid Sparrow and runs over Gretchen, killing her. The driver turns out to be Elizabeth's boyfriend, Frank Anderson, wearing the same rabbit costume from Donnie's visions. Donnie shoots Frank in the eye with his father's gun, and walks home carrying Gretchen's body.

Donnie returns home as a vortex forms over his house. He borrows one of his parents' cars, loads Gretchen's body into it, and drives to a nearby ridge that overlooks town. There, he watches as the plane carrying Rose and the dance troupe home from Los Angeles gets caught in the vortex's wake, which violently rips off one of its engines, and sends it back in time. Events of the previous 28 days unwind. Donnie wakes up in his bedroom, recognizes the date is October 2, and laughs as the jet engine falls into his bedroom, crushing him. Around town, those whose lives Donnie would have touched wake up from troubled dreams. Gretchen rides by the Darko home the next morning, and learns of Donnie's death. Gretchen and Rose exchange glances and wave as if they know each other, but cannot remember from where.