October 1988 and small town USA is about to witness the end of the world. It's home to Donnie Darko, a brilliant but troubled teenager, plagued by terrifying visions which he alone knows the meaning of.

With his class mate and soul mate Gretchen and a mysterious ex-teacher, nicknamed Grandma Death, he must unravel the strange occurrences affecting his school, his home and his life before a horrifying spectre known only as "Frank" leads Donnie to the edge of his sanity.