‘Donnie Darko’ is a captivating masterpiece by the talented aboriginal writer-director Richard Kelly. Despite its unfortunate box office performance, this thought-provoking sci-fi film garnered attention from critics, who saw it as an emblem of the merging worlds of sci-fi and religion.
However, let’s set aside those minor details and delve into another fascinating aspect of this beloved film: the enchanting filming locations handpicked by Richard Kelly. Prepare yourself for a captivating exploration of the places chosen to bring Donnie Darko to life.
Donnie Darko Filming Locations
Donnie Darko was filmed between August and July 2000 in several locations across sunny, liberal California like Long Beach, the Los Angeles Crest Highway, the Loyola High School, and other exteriors in the greater Los Angeles Metro area. Now, let’s take a look in-depth at some of these places.
Angeles Crest Highway
The film’s opening shots with Donnie were the first to be filmed, and they were shot at sunrise on the Angeles Crest Highway. The breathtaking scenes of Donnie waking up in the middle of the road surrounded by the ethereal beauty of the Angeles Crest Highway set the tone for the rest of the movie, and it’s a filming location that has become iconic in its own right.
Also Read: 38 Best Movies Like Donnie Darko
Virginia Country Club: Golf Course Scenes
The golf course scenes in ‘Donnie Darko,’ where some pivotal moments take place, were filmed at the picturesque Virginia Country Club located in Long Beach, California.
Known for its lush, green landscape and featuring an 18-hole golf course, the club made for a perfect filming location for the movie’s eerie and striking visuals. The tranquility of the golf course contrasted sharply with the tense and unsettling occurrences that unfolded there in the film, creating an aesthetic that would resonate with the audience.
Loyola High School: The Hallways and Classrooms
The school scenes in the film, which make up a significant portion of the Donnie Darko flick, were filmed at the prestigious and famous Loyola High School in Los Angeles, California.
Loyola High School is an all-male, private school funded by Jesuits. And that location provided Donnie Darko’s director Richard Kelly with the backdrop he needed to build the world that we see in this cult-classic film and showcase the various interactions between the characters.
The school’s distinct architecture and ambiance harmonized well with the visual style and atmosphere of the film, creating an authentic and memorable setting.
Long Beach and Burbank: The Neighborhoods and Houses
The suburban areas of Long Beach and Burbank were key in creating the movie’s setting since they offered a sharp contrast to the title character’s voyage through time and several universes. The exteriors and interiors of the homes in these locations served as the backdrop for many of the film’s most memorable sequences.
The bucolic look and cozy ambiance of Burbank and Long Beach’s communities served to heighten the surrealism and unease of the otherworldly components in the film. The surroundings’ attention to detail contributed to a sense of realism that upheld the story’s intensity while yet providing opportunities for character growth.
These cities turned out to be the best for filming “Donnie Darko,” and they now serve as symbols of the film. There is something magical about standing in the actual locations where some of the most famous scenes were filmed. Thus it is understandable why so many of its admirers travel to these regions when they are in California.
As a result, if you’re a fan of “Donnie Darko,” you owe it to yourself to find these gorgeous filming sites and get to know the universe that Richard Kelly created. Discover the locations that helped to make this movie so memorable as you take a trip down memory lane.
Also Read: Donnie Darko Ending Explained: Why Did Donnie Die?
