Movie Analysis: Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko is a movie that cannot be classified as only one type of movie; it is a teen movie, a violent movie, as well as a hero story. This cult classic is, in fact, one of the only movies that can embody more than one genre, and it succeeds in all three. Donnie Darko is the convoluted, dark story about a boy named Donnie Darko and his mission to save the world in his own, quiet but heroic way.

The simplest classification - because they tend to be so superficial - is Donnie Darko as a teen movie. This is not a typical teen movie, partially because these characters actually have layers of personality, but it certainly qualifies. Donnie is a teenager and, since he is "troubled", he has plenty of the requisite teen angst. About half the movie also occurs in a high school, which is typical in any teen movie, as is the seemingly required party, complete with alcohol, which Donnie's sister throws on Halloween. This party is also the setting for an implied sex scene with the cute, but not entirely teen movie, girlfriend, Gretchen. The last two things that make Donnie Darko into a teen movie is the presence of two burnout bullies and the entirely oblivious, ineffectual adults and authority figures.