The film, in its own words
Donnie Darko quotes, scene by scene
The lines people remember, with who says them, who to, and the moment in the 28 days they belong to. Wording follows the film.
“Wake up.”
The first thing Frank says, on the night of October 2. Frank: "28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds" · Sunday, October 2, 1988 →
“Twenty-eight days, six hours, forty-two minutes, twelve seconds. That is when the world will end.”
On the golf course, the countdown that names the whole film. Frank: "28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds" · Sunday, October 2, 1988 →
“I’m voting for Dukakis.”
Dinner at the Darkos’, October 1988. Dinner at the Darkos · Sunday, October 2, 1988 →
“Donnie Darko? What the hell kind of name is that? It’s like some sort of superhero or something.”
“What makes you think I’m not?”
Walking home after Gretchen’s first day. "Donnie Darko. Sounds like a superhero." · Monday, October 3, 1988 →
“I made a new friend today.”
“Real or imaginary?”
In Dr Thurman’s office, about Frank.
“You can’t just lump things into two categories. Things aren’t that simple.”
Refusing to place Ling Ling on the Fear–Love lifeline. The Fear-and-Love lifeline · Wednesday, October 5, 1988 →
“Destruction is a form of creation.”
In English class, on Graham Greene’s "The Destructors".
“Every living creature on this earth dies alone.”
Whispered in the road outside her house - her only line. "Every living creature on this earth dies alone." · Monday, October 10, 1988 →
“Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion!”
When Rose hesitates over chaperoning the dance troupe to Los Angeles. Kitty Farmer asks Rose to take Sparkle Motion to Los Angeles · Thursday, October 20, 1988 →
“Fear and love are the deepest of human emotions.”
The "Attitudinal Beliefs" doctrine, on video and in person.
“I think you’re the fucking Antichrist.”
At the school assembly, after asking how much Cunningham is being paid. Donnie confronts Jim Cunningham at the assembly · Friday, October 14, 1988 →
“Cellar door.”
The most beautiful phrase in the English language, a famous linguist once said - Ms Pomeroy, on her way out.
“Why are you wearing that stupid bunny suit?”
“Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?”
In the empty Aero Theatre, during "The Evil Dead". The Evil Dead at the Aero; Frank opens a portal · Saturday, October 15, 1988 →
“Some people are just born with tragedy in their blood.”
Gretchen, on her family.
“What if you could go back in time and take all those hours of pain and darkness and replace them with something better?”
Donnie, on why he would want to travel in time.
“They’re placebos.”
The last session: the medication was never real. Dr Thurman: "They’re placebos." · Wednesday, October 26, 1988 →
“I don’t want to be alone.”
What Donnie carries from Roberta Sparrow’s whisper into his last session. Dr Thurman: "They’re placebos." · Wednesday, October 26, 1988 →
“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.”
Donnie, on the end of the world.
The later lines give the ending away.