Donnie Darko is a 2001 American science fiction thriller film written and directed by Richard Kelly in his directorial debut. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Katharine Ross, Patrick Swayze and Noah Wyle. Set in October 1988, the film follows Donnie Darko (J. Gyllenhaal), a troubled teenager who inadvertently escapes a bizarre accident by sleepwalking, before having visions of Frank, a mysterious figure in a rabbit costume who informs him that the world will end in 28 days. Development began in late 1997 when Kelly had graduated from film school and started writing scripts.