Donnie Darko scene evaluation

Donnie Darko is a brilliant and intense psychological thriller that plays with the idea of a tangent universe that has been created and distorted around Donnie with Frank (a big bunny rabbit)  acting as his mental guide, created from his imagination to help him get through this parallel universe.   

The screen shot above is a scene were Frank appears in his mirror. His facial expression connotes confusion and disbelief as if he were in a trance. Tension is created through his dagger like glaze creating a link between him and the knife. Frank stares back; Donnie raises the knife and begins tapping on the mirror. This has a creepy, dark effect on the audience, the sound of tapping and the water like effect on the mirror continues the idea of a supernatural, dream like state that Donnie falls under as frank appears throughout the film.

The film uses its slow paced plot to its advantage by explaining the changes that occur around Donnie’s life incorporating deep and dark moments of his journey to his ultimate end accompanied by a soundtrack that creates a sense of sadness and uncertainty. Ticking and droning sounds are used throughout and help to create the mysterious nature of this film.