On the list of the top ten existentialist films, there in lies Donnie Darko. The story of a lost and confused teenage boy diagnosed insane. The debate now is whether or not this movie actually represents the ideas within existentialism. I have to say that the existentialist ideals were poorly portrayed in the film. The existentialist ideals embody free choice and free will, while in the film, Donnie Darko was forced to follow his fate by the concept of time travel and pre determined fates (the weird looking bubble things that he follows around). Other concepts of existentialism include that there is no meaning in life other than what we determine, and that people create the overall meaning of their lives through their own actions.

This seems to be contradictory considering the entire movie is centered around Donnie's predetermined fate. His life is shaped by his relationship with Frank. One example of this is his first interaction with Frank, when he leaves his bed to follow Frank, and the plane's engine comes crashing into Donnie's room when he is gone, destroying his room. Although many would vouch for Donnie Darko when it comes to existentialist films, i would have to disagree.