Donnie Darko – reviewed by an astrophysicist Part offbeat teen drama, part mind-bending sci-fi conundrum. Cult film Donnie Darko is getting a cinema re-release this month, 15 […]

Part offbeat teen drama, part mind-bending sci-fi conundrum.

Cult film Donnie Darko is getting a cinema re-release this month, 15 years on from its original release.

Famed for its sublime soundtrack, Jake Gyllenhaal’s intriguing eponymous lead and the sinister strangeness of his giant rabbit visitor Frank, the movie is also notable for its forays into the theory of time-travel, alternate dimensions, and wormholes.

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We asked Ben Mummery, a PhD student at the Astrophysics Research Institute, for his view on Donnie Darko – in his capacity as a scientist.

(Warning: spoilers for the film follow)

Multiple universes: ‘a mind-blowing proposition’

In the film, Donnie comes to understand that the creation of an unstable “tangent universe”, which mirrors his own with just one difference, will lead to the end of the world in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds.

Mummery explains that this plot-point resembles some of the theories around alternative universes. In particular, the ‘Many Worlds’ interpretation of quantum mechanics.

“This states that for any event, multiple universes are created in which all possible outcomes happen,” he explains. “Toss a coin and the universe splits into two copies, one where it comes down heads, one tails.

“As yet, we have no definite evidence for or against the existence of other universes, although their existence would solve a number of ongoing problems in physics.

“The idea of there being different types of universes, and that those universes may interact, is quite fascinating to me,” he adds.

“In most theories of multiple universes, all universes come into existence in the same way. Having multiple systems of universe creation operating at once, especially if those universes can interact in some way, is a pretty mind-blowing proposition.

“Interestingly, although the film references black holes only in the context of destroying the universe (which no ordinary black hole is capable of), some theories suggest that black holes may actually themselves be wormholes to other universes, albeit ones where it is impossible to travel through intact.”

Wormholes: ‘it’s pretty much on the money’

Dealing with the concept of travelling back in time, as Donnie does, Mummery feels that the film is smart in its choice of methodology.

“Although a small number of potential techniques have been proposed, the idea currently thought to be the best bet is to do what Donnie does and use a wormhole.

“A wormhole is a theoretical connection between two points in space, not necessarily in the same universe,” he explains. “However, as we know that different points in space can experience time differently, it is also a connection between two points in time.

“In this regard, Donnie Darko is pretty much on the money. Dropping the jet engine through a wormhole at the end of the film allows it to emerge in the primary universe 28 days earlier.

“One restriction of wormhole-based time travel is that you can only go back as far as the creation of the wormhole. In this respect, Donnie Darko is unrealistic.

“However it is debatable whether any time travel has actually occurred. Time could behave differently in the different universes, meaning that the 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds for which the tangent universe lasts could pass in mere seconds in the primary.”

Why science in cinema should always be welcomed

While many Hollywood films have been ridiculed for their shaky grasp of science on screen (“the neutrinos have mutated!”), Mummery argues that it doesn’t always matter whether the film gets it right or wrong.

“While nearly everything in the movie Armageddon is scientifically inaccurate, using it as a reference point to think about the inaccuracies can be very useful,” he explains. “So much so that NASA reportedly use it as a training exercise.”

With Donnie Darko specifically, however, the astrophysicist believes its grappling with complex issues is particularly admirable.

“I find it fascinating to see somebody take these concepts, which we tend to think of in very clinical, abstract terms, and build a narrative around them.

“It’s just really cool to know that other people are getting as interested and excited about things like time dilation and black holes as I am.”

Donnie Darko ‘does a fantastic job’

Like many other fans of the film, Mummery appreciates its rich sense of tone and depth, and the way it juggles all manner of intricate ideas.

“The characters are interesting and developed enough that the story functions even if you don’t follow any of the time travel plot,” he notes.

“I think it does a fantastic job of balancing the theoretical science with the implications from more philosophical or religious outlooks.

“I could easily spend a very long time discussing the potential explanations of so many aspects. Notably the role of a certain sinister bunny rabbit…”

Donnie Darko screens at the BFI Southbank from Saturday December 17, and is re-released in UK cinemas nationwide on Friday December 23.