Donnie Darko was released in 2001 and has since become a cult classic, but its sequel, S. Darko, was released in 2009 and has been widely panned by critics and fans alike
10:00, 01 Sep 2025Updated 11:37, 01 Sep 2025
American filmmaker James Richard Kelly penned and helmed the Hollywood classic sci-fi flick Donnie Darko, yet its little-known follow-up remains a source of torment for him.
Hitting cinemas in 2001, the psychological thriller instantly achieved cult status among movie enthusiasts and is broadly regarded as one of the finest independent pictures ever made.
The story unfolds during the 1988 presidential race as a troubled teen wanders from his home whilst sleepwalking and encounters a sinister rabbit figure who foretells the world's destruction within 28 days, sending everything spiralling into mayhem.
Boasting a stellar ensemble featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore and Patrick Swayze, it's hardly surprising the picture remains essential viewing within the genre - which raises the question of why its follow-up ventures into forbidden territory for director Kelly.
It transpires the subsequent film, S. Darko, bore no connection to him whatsoever and was entirely the brainchild of director Chris Fisher, reports the Express.
During a chat with PopMatters magazine, Richard Kelly expressed his frustration regarding his absence from the sequel.
He said: "I hate it when people ask me about that sequel because...I had nothing to do with it.
"And I hate it when people try and blame me or hold me responsible for it because I had no involvement. I don't control the underlying rights to the Donnie Darko franchise.
"I had to relinquish them when I was 24 years old. I hate when people ask me about that because I've never seen it and I never will, so... don't ask me about the sequel...Those people are making lots of money. They're certainly making lots of money."
The 2009 follow-up to the franchise was poorly received and holds a shockingly low rating on the review website Rotten Tomatoes, at just 13%.
One review says: "Why does this exist? ? ? ? Donnie Darko is a cult classic, beloved by many, but it's also one that does not ask for a sequel.
"Long before tired lazy legacy sequels were common, we got this monstrosity about Donnie Darko's little sister."
Another disappointed viewer wrote: "What a travesty... A shameless, hollow copy of the first film, that only works to cheapen its predecessor. This is the worst kind of cash-grab. It's a shining example of all style, no substance."
The storyline of the follow-up focuses on Donnie Darko's younger sister, Samantha, seven years following the original movie.
She flees with her mate and sets off on a journey, when their vehicle breaks down and she begins to sleepwalk and encounter all manner of bizarre visions.
In her mind she encounters a whole host of different individuals, as she travels through time and attempts to comprehend the impending danger to the planet.
Before long, a disaster occurs, and she requires assistance in reversing time to rescue her own existence. Someone else penned: "Absolute trash. Takes everything enjoyable and interesting about Donnie Darko and abandons it. But let's face it, any sequel was bound for failure."
If you're keen to see how the two films stack up against each other, you can hire the poorly-received follow-up, S.Darko, on both Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Meanwhile, Richard Kelly's original masterpiece, Donnie Darko, can still be watched on Amazon Prime.