Continuity mistake: When Cherita makes her mark on the lifeline blackboard, there are some smudges on the broad chalk line. In the next shot, the line is perfect again. (00:41:30)
Continuity mistake: In the class with the Lifeline exercises, the "L" on the word "LOVE" changes how it is drawn about 4 or 5 times between shots. (00:38:50 - 00:40:35)
Continuity mistake: In the class with the Lifeline exercises, Cherita writes an 'X' on the board. In the next shot, the letter is fainter and less distinct. (00:41:30)
Continuity mistake: At the bus stop when Donnie says to his sister that he'll throw her doll in the garbage disposal, watch the red-headed girl next to her. The girl positions her head differently each shot. From the front, she's looking at Donnie, and behind she's looking at his sister. (00:16:10)
Continuity mistake: At the bus stop, Donnie's little sister changes positions between shots. From behind, she's in front of the red headed girl and in the frontal shot she's standing right next to her. (00:16:05)
Continuity mistake: In the scene near the beginning in which Donnie's dad is using the leaf blower, the trees are covered with very green leaves while the ground is covered in very colorful ones. There are no naked trees anywhere or trees with leaves that have changed, and, when considering the amount of leaves on the ground, there should be many. (00:03:15)
Continuity mistake: Whilst Donnie talks about Graham Greene's book, Gretchen walks into the class. Watch Donnie's hands on his desk. Between shots when she enters the class, his hands change position majorly. (00:19:35)
Continuity mistake: In the scene where the students are asked to write "They made me do it" on the blackboard, Sam Bylan is called up just before Donnie, yet on the principal's checklist Cherita is before Donnie and after Sam. (Despite any deleted shots, this is still a mistake in the theatrical release.) (00:31:25 - 00:32:15)
Continuity mistake: In the scene where Donnie Darko and his sister are having a Halloween party, Donnie takes his girlfriend Gretchen upstairs while the song 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division is played. Watch closely as they ascend the stairs and keep an ear on the song as well. Somehow they manage to get all the way from the top of the stairs, to being sat down comfortably on a bed in someone's bedroom (with the door closed) without the audience hearing any interruption or 'jump' in the song whatsoever. This means they must have traversed the landing, entered the room and got properly sat down on the bed together in precisely no time at all. Quite a fitting mistake considering the movie's time travel theme. (01:28:10)
Continuity mistake: In the shot where Donnie is at the bus stop, if you look at the guy immediately to the right on Donnie, he is smoking a cigarette. The cigarette changes hands several times, once in a split second. (00:30:30)
Answer: According to the audio commentary, "they're being manipulated and they are aware that something is going on with this kid and are laughing about it." Director's commentary is very interesting.
Nikki