located in Long Beach, California. Donnie awakens in a golf course in Long Beach, California; the hotel where his family lodges is the Burbank, California, Holiday Inn; and the Aero theater where Donnie and Gretchen watch the double feature is a cinema in Santa Monica, California.
The home of Patrick Swayze’s character, Jim Cunningham, is at 4252 Country Club Drive Long Beach, California.
Music
Main article: Donnie Darko (soundtrack)
In 2003, composer Michael Andrews and singer Gary Jules found their piano-driven cover of the Tears for Fears’ hit “Mad World”, featured in the film as part of the end sequence, and the song was the UK Christmas Number One single in 2003. One continuous sequence involving an introduction of Donnie’s high school prominently features the song “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears, Samantha’s dance group, “Sparkle Motion,”