Frank the Rabbit: False prophet
"Donnie is experiencig what is commonly called a Daylight Hallucination"
There is much debate over whether Donnie, in fact, is actually in the presence of Frank the Rabbit, or if he is experiencing schizophrenic hallucinations. The analysis becomes increasingly complex when questions as to why and how Frank appears to Donnie commence. For the purpose of this study, I will analyze Frank's appearances under strictly religious terms.
Well known Christian scholars such as Craig Detweiler, In his work Into the Dark, claims that Frank is an angel sent by God. Detweiler maintains, "What appears demonic may actually be godly (Frank the Bunny), and what appears godly may be masking horrible truths, like Jim Cunningham".5 Moreover, Detweiler notes the nuances of Donnie succumbing to insanity or actually perceiving the divine. Furthermore, he states that angelic messangers are often so terrifying that they must proclaim "Fear not" before delivering a divine message. Indeed, many scholars discuss the religious value of Frank as Donnie's guardian angel who helps him save the world. 6
However, other scholars, such as James Walters in his work Alternative Worlds in Hollywood Cinema and Resonance between Films argues that Frank is Satan. Walters likens Frank to the Satan depicted in the film The Last Temptation of Christ -- a film by Martin Scorsese that is featured in Donnie Darko. He states, "Interestingly, both Donnie and Jesus have a supernatural guide through their alternative realm. Jesus is taken through the potential world by Satan, who prompts his actions and fits him for that other existence. Likewise, in the potential world of Donnie Darko, Donnie is visited and guided by a mysterious entity who adopts the name and form of Gretchen’s eventual killer: he is called Frank and appears in a giant bunny costume". 7 He maintains that the Jesus in Scorsese's film is dreaming of being corrupted by Satan, whereas Donnie's corruption is his reality.
One could argue, however, that Frank is an allegory to the False Pophet of the Book of Revelation. 8
It appears Frank is assisting Donnie through a series of ambiguous prophecies regarding the world and its approaching end; Frank is ultimately leading Donnie towards his demise. Perhaps the most striking fact behind Frank's role in the film is his relationship to Cunningham, also known as the Antichrist. During Cunningham's presentation at Donnie's school, Cunnigham states, "I'm gunna tell you a story today...about a young man whose life was destroyed by fear... his name is Frank". 9 Indeed, this mention of Frank is not a coincidece, as Donnie is visited by Frank shortly after.
The film is structured such that it appears as though Donnie, through sacrificing his own life due to the advice of Frank, has saved the world from destrution. However, why, then, does Frank appear as Donnie's sister's boyfriend in a Halloween costume (as revealed later in the film), who accidentally kills Gretchen, Donnie's girlfriend, by hitting her with his car? Why does Frank get Donnie to flood the school, burn down Cunningham's house, and bring him to a golf course numerous times throughout the film? Despite revealing Cunnigham to be a pedophile, there are no reasons behind Frank's tasks than to end Donnie's life. Indeed, it appears as though the False-Prophet Frank has created this alternate universe in which the world will end unless Donnie ends his life. Further, Frank's ultimate goal is the demise of the alleged "Christ-Figure" in the fim.
The False Prophet of revelation
1) He had two horns: Frank's bunny ears
2) He spoke like a dragon: Frank's voice is low and monstrous
3) He is given power by the Antichrist: Frank is associated with Jim Cunningham
4) He fools the earth and its inhabitats to worship the devil: Frank leads Donnie to his ultimate demise under the premise that Donnie has saved the world; however, if the world returns to its normal timeline, what good has Donnie's death accomplished? 10