DONNIE DARKO — Richard Kelly makes the ultimate ‘80s mixtape (rewind)

DONNIE DARKO — Richard Kelly makes the ultimate ‘80s mixtape (rewind)

From MUBI Podcast by MUBI

May 14, 2026 · 43 min · Season 3 · Episode 2

About this episode

The episode explores the music and cultural impact of the film DONNIE DARKO, featuring insights from its creator and cast.

Another classic episode about great music in a great movie: DONNIE DARKO. Richard Kelly's genre-busting rookie feature was one of the first cult hits of the 21st century... and it took the music of '80s band Tears for Fears along for the ride. Host Rico Gagliano tells this twisty tale with the help of Kelly, star Jena Malone (THE HUNGER GAMES), and the film's composer Michael Andrews—whose stripped-down cover of Tears's "Mad World" became maybe the most unlikely smash hit in UK history. SOME...

People in this episode

Host: Rico Gagliano

Guests: Richard Kelly, Jena Malone, Michael Andrews

Topics covered

  • music in film
  • cult classics
  • 80s music
  • film analysis
  • soundtrack
  • Richard Kelly

Keywords

  • DONNIE DARKO
  • Richard Kelly
  • Tears for Fears
  • Mad World
  • Jena Malone
  • Michael Andrews
  • 80s music
  • cult film

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tears for Fears

Books & works: DONNIE DARKO, Mad World, THE HUNGER GAMES

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