DONNIE DARKO (2001) with Finn Odum
Sure, it launched Richard Kelly and Jake Gyllenhaal’s careers, but DONNIE DARKO also cemented a cultural touchstone of upper-middle class teen alienation that’s only been burnished by time and rewatches. In a sense, Donnie is the average white suburbanite kid — but against the backdrop of a changing America and an aging boomer generation, basic empathy and self-awareness turn out to be a literal superpower. Finn Odum has a long history with DONNIE DARKO , making them a perfect fit for this extra-special episode! Harry hasn’t seen it since high school; Jason is afraid to find out if he still likes it after being bewitched by it as a kid; and Aaron hates teen movies. And… scene! Find Finn… On Twitter and Bluesky at @Finnematic On Letterboxd at @finnofthedead On Perisphere, the Trylon blog On Trylove episodes about THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951), DIABOLIQUE (1955), CON AIR (1997), THE HOLY MOUNTAIN (1973), LA CASA LOBO (THE WOLF HOUSE) (2018) References: “the killing moon” by Finn Odum for Perisphere, the Trylon blog “Donnie Darko and the Inevitability of Teenagers” by Ryan Sanderson for Perisphere, the Trylon blog donniedarko.com , preserved by web developer Rich Holman Give to the Trylon’s Film Forever Fund so they never have to increase ticket prices! Check the calendar, preview upcoming series, and buy tickets Contribute to Perisphere, the Trylon blog #OtherProgramming #35mm Follow us on Twitter at @trylovepodcast , Bluesky at @trylovepodca.st , and email us at trylovepodcast@gmail.com to get in touch! Show art by Emily Csuy . Theme: "Raindrops" by Huma-Huma/"No Smoking" PSA by John Waters. Outro music: “Liquid Spear Waltz” by Michael Andrews from the DONNIE DARKO soundtrack. Timestamps 0:00 - Episode 340: DONNIE DARKO (2001) 5:48 - The Patented Aaron Grossman Summary 7:45 - Finn’s essay and attachment to DONNIE DARKO 14:50 - “The best movie about being a teenager” 25:03 - Where the scientific explanations start to distract from the point of the movie 36:18 - A white boy who wanted to change the world 46:22 - The fear/love spectrum and boomer cope 58:21 - Teens will literally go to therapy and save the world 1:04:12 - The montage at the end 1:07:57 - How this movie moves, sounds, and feels 1:14:32 - The performances 1:20:50 - The Junk Drawer 1:26:35 - To All the Loves We’ve Tried Before: 2001 1:31:12 - Finn's Facts