Donnie Darko and Russian Doll: Investigating Determinism and the Multiverse
*SPOILERS*
Netflix’s recent release of the series Russian Doll (2019) has been met with much acclaim as a mind bending, (yet feminist and pro-mental health) tale of self-acceptance. The premise of the series is reminiscent of the Bill Murray classic Groundhog Day (1993), as the main character, Nadia, dies on the night of her 36th birthday party and wakes up back at the party. This sparks a Groundhog Day style loop where she continues to die and wake up whilst the people around her are none the wiser. She then meets Alan, another character stuck in his own loop where he wakes up the day that his girlfriend breaks up with him as he plans to propose to her. The series begins comical but gradually takes a darker tone as we notice fruit decaying and, in the final episodes of the series, people disappearing as their loops begin to dismantle and collapse.
This series may seem like an unlikely link to the cult classic Donnie Darko (2001), but both the series and the film, specifically, the directors cut of Donnie Darko (2004) which I will be referring to, deal with some similar metaphysical concepts. There have been many essays and articles discussing the various themes and possible meanings of Donnie Darko which is premised around the troubled teenager, Donnie, who struggles with mental illness and feels stifled in American suburbia. He wakes up one morning in the middle of the road after sleep walking and is visited by a giant terrifying bunny called Frank who tells him the world will end in 28 days. It is up to Donnie to save this universe and the film uses a mixture of realism, science fiction and mysticism to build a kind of metaphysics using the fictional book The Philosophy of Time Travel by Roberta Sparrow.
Whilst there are many lenses through which to analyse both these texts, I will exclusively look at how determinism and the multiverse is represented in these texts. I will look at the similarities and differences between these representations and what lesson in metaphysics we can take away from these two texts.
Firstly, let us examine the representation of the multiverse. The multiverse is a theory in quantum physics which basically argues that there are infinite amounts of universes all branching off one another. As Dr Stuart Clark explains, the multiverse theory has been developed to understand problems in physics and astronomy that the multiverse theory would solve. Such problems are, for example, ‘whenever a quantum particle changes its state there’s nothing in our laws of physics that direct it to change that state in one particular way or another. So how does it choose to do that? Well, if there’s a multiverse, then every possibility is played out, so it becomes understandable in that way’. Clark also explains how astronomers look out into space and can only see so much of the universe but may never be able to see what is beyond our universe, this leads astronomers to question if there is a multiverse. String theory posits that alternative universes would obey different laws of physics which solves problems with particles that exist within our laws of physics. Quantum theory images a huge number of parallel universes which are expanding every moment. There are, generally, three multiverse models which have never been tested but are theorised by physicists:
First, the Bubble Universe. This theory supposes that parts of the universe are so far away we can never see them, or they are inside black holes so we can never see them. If each of these bubbles contained different laws of physics, then we could only exist in a bubble that has our laws of physics.
Secondly, Membranes and Extra Dimensions theory. This is inspired most by the fact that string theory is unable to predict the right number of dimensions for the universe we live in. String theorists had proposed that perhaps what we think of as our universe is actually a three-dimensional surface embedded within a larger super universe with 9 spatial dimensions.
Finally, the third theory which is the Many Worlds theory of quantum mechanics. As physicists do not understand how certain things in quantum mechanics happen and the many worlds theory would explain this. It argues that every possible alternate timeline for the universe is real and they all happen in an ever larger, ever branching way.
So, back to Donnie Darko. Donnie discovers that the world will end in 28 days due to a glitch which has created an unstable ‘tangent universe’, and the glitch will create a black hole which will swallow up the stable ‘primary universe’.
Thus, Donnie Darko represents a multiverse containing one essential universe, the primary universe, and other tangent universes which must collapse into the primary one at certain points. The film uses supernatural powers in order to make sense of how universes can collapse into each other, as The Philosophy of Time Travel articulates. The fictional author states that a Receiver will be aware of the existence of the tangent universe and is granted powers of tele-kinesis and other psychic powers to control the fate of the universe using metal and water. This film seems to borrow ideas from the Bubble Universe theory as universes are hidden in black holes which threaten our stable primary universe. However, this multiverse allows Receiver’s to be aware of and manipulate such universes and black holes, thus departing from science into mysticism. Additionally, the film’s ending suggests that in some way, certain characters are aware of the change in the universe as Gretchen, Donnie’s girlfriend from the tangent universe, and Donnie’s mother wave at each other. Additionally, we are shown several major characters have an emotional response at the time when Donnie collapses the tangent universe into the primary one. This suggests that they are aware of the change, experience a kind of déjà vu, and further departs from a scientific representation of a multiverse.
Russian Doll takes a different approach to the multiverse. At first, the universe is presented as a continuing loop which ends each time Nadia and Alan die. However, in episode seven, Nadia suggests that in fact they are experience a kind of multiverse glitch, or ‘bug’ as she describes it in terms of computer programming. This would suggest that herself and Alan consciously experience each branch of the Many Worlds as Nadia even states explicitly her regret that there are thousands of universes where her friends are mourning her death. Each loop begins at exactly the same time and no other character seems aware, as Nadia comes out the bathroom to be greeted by her friend with ‘sweet birthday baby!’ This indicates the beginning of the new branch and Nadia and Alan’s death allows them to consciously move into a new branch, leaving the previous universe behind to play out. This allows the viewer to understand the Many Worlds theory by showing the viewer how infinitely the branches will spread. Eventually, Nadia and Alan realise that they met the night the loops began, right before each of them died. This gives them a clue as to how to solve their glitch and explains why they both see signs of decay with each loop, such as seeing food begin to rot. Whilst Alan believes they are being punished by an Almighty Being because they didn’t help each other that fateful night, Nadia sees the problem in terms of quantum physics:
-Nadia ‘what do time and morality have in common? Relativity. […] So, our universe has three spatial dimensions, so it’s hard for us to picture a four-dimensional world. But, you know, computers do it all the time. Now lucky for you I have the capacity to think like a computer. What’s this?’
-Alan ‘Oh. It’s a rotten orange’.
-Nadia ‘In a two-dimensional world, it’s a circle. In a three-dimensional world, it’s a sphere. But in a four-dimensional world…’
-Alan ‘It’s still ripe.’
-Nadia ‘Time is relative to your experience. We’ve been experiencing time differently in these loops. But this tells us that somewhere time, linear time, as we used to understand it, still exists’.
They realise that the moment in the deli where they first met the night that the loops began to happen ‘still exists’ and that they just need to find it. In order to do this, they both confront their pasts, Nadia’s past trauma with her mother and Alan’s doomed relationship, and they manage to make it back to that moment in the deli. In the final episode we see that both the ‘aware’ Nadia and the ‘aware’ Alan are in different universes, each with the unaware respective Alan or Nadia.
They each save the other and manage to befriend the unaware Alan/Nadia each in a separate universe.
Both these texts represent a multiverse, be it the Bubble Universe or the Many Worlds Universe. Both texts represent at least one character who is aware of this multiverse and must fix the glitch. Donnie Darko represents the glitch being fixed and the universe returning to it’s one original with the Bubble Universes well out of sight and non-threatening. Russian Doll represents a Many Worlds Universe where the glitch is fixed but still branches off into different universes where the glitch has been fixed differently in each. Both texts place much value on the character development in order to fix the respective universe glitches whilst remaining ambiguous as to why these particular characters have been chosen by the universe in particular. In Donnie Darko, Donnie reveals that he feels alone and is scared of dying alone. However, he meets the new girl, Gretchen, who bonds with Donnie over her past trauma of domestic abuse and Donnie’s trauma of mental illness. He falls in love with her and, on the 28th day she tragically dies. It could be theorised that Donnie falling in love causes him to want to save the primary universe in order for Gretchen to live. He feels he is not dying alone because of his love for Gretchen, or perhaps his connection to God. There are some religious references within this text, for example, on the 27th day he leaves a movie theatre after speaking to Frank the bunny and behind him an advertised film reads:
He then proceeds to burn down a paedophile’s house and flooding his school after his favourite teacher has been fired. He gives in to his ‘final temptations’. After this, Gretchen dies, as does Frank — who will become Frank the bunny who guides Donnie — and the wormhole is opened, allowing Donnie to save the universe in exchange for himself. Like Christ, Donnie is a chosen Messiah and only he can save the world. Like Christ, he must sacrifice himself for the sake of mankind.
Whilst Donnie Darko is more upfront about mixing science and mysticism, combining ideas of Christianity whilst referencing Stephen Hawking theories about time travel, Russian Doll avoids mysticism but still tells a tale of morality. Russian Doll could have opted for a straight tale of the multiverse theory, but the characters must develop emotionally before fixing the universe glitch. We learn that Nadia struggles with emotionally intimacy after a childhood experiencing emotional abuse from her mother. In one of the final episodes, she begins to see her childhood self which causes her to die as the universe glitches, letting in Nadia’s past.
She has to kill her past self before she is able to fix the glitch. Similarly, we learn that Alan had attempted suicide which is how he died the first time. In an emotional scene, we watch as Alan confronts his cheating girlfriend and decides it is about time he learns to love himself. Nadia and Alan bond over this new self-acceptance whilst Nadia accepts that she needs other people in her life such as her adopted guardian and her friendship with Alan. This need to develop self-acceptance and to literally kill their inner demons suggests that, in a similar way to Donnie, one can only save the world after saving themselves. This character development allows each text to be an engaging story where the viewer can connect to the characters, as apposed to being a mere dry, inhuman science fiction film investigating different types of multiverses. The mysticism of Donnie Darko and the self-improvement plot of Russian Doll adds interesting themes and layers to each text, and both can still be applauded for their representations of multiverses, a concept hard to visualise for the average non-scientist (such as myself).
The representation of determinism in Donnie Darko is a major theme, whilst determinism in Russian Doll is far more nuanced. First, what is determinism? Determinism is a philosophical concept that concerns itself with the existence of free will. A determinist would argue that everything happens for a reason and that everyone, and the world in general, has a set path or a destiny. Determinists believe that nothing can happen in any other way than how it did. If we are thinking about multiverses, this concept becomes very interesting. If we believe that we have a free will, that we choose our actions, then we can’t subscribe to determinism. However, if we subscribe to a multiverse theory, that implies that every version of the universe exists and that you are just living in one version. This may mean your actions are not entirely freely willed as there would be an infinite number of different versions of you each branching off into different universes where you carry out different actions. Does this mean that all actions are pre-destined?
Donnie Darko seemingly subscribes to a determinist world view. This theme is mainly portrayed through the bubble-like spheres that Donnie can see protruding out of people’s chests, including his own.
This is one of Donnie’s ‘Receiver’ powers, his ability to know the future. This, strangely enough, is actually based on real science as explained in this video about Donnie Darko by Wisecrack. They explain that physicists David Deutsch and Michael Lockwood theorise that:
In the film, Donnie’s science teacher describes this as a ‘vessel [which] travels along a vector through spacetime along its centre of gravity’. Donnie asks if one could see this vessel, and see into the future, would they be able to travel through time. His teacher responds that he is ‘contradicting [himself], if we were able to see our destinies manifest themselves visually then we would be given a choice to betray our chosen destinies and the mere fact that this choice exists would make all preformed destiny come to an end’. Donnie ends this conversation by stating ‘not if you travel within God’s channel’, using mysticism as an answer to this very real question that exists for physicists. However, that Donnie follows his sphere means he can carry out the actions required to save the primary universe, suggesting deviation from one’s path will cause a cosmic implosion. However, what is important to note is that Donnie’s surroundings are often dull and monotonous, it is no coincidence that this film is set in the American suburbs and that Donnie finds an escape from suburban tedium through his Receiver powers. As he sits in his living room with the TV blaring in the background, why would he not follow his ‘vessel’ which appears suddenly before him? The universe gives Donnie no reason why he should not perform the actions that a deterministic universe requires of him. Donnie feels a connection to this force that drives him towards saving the primary universe, a connection to ‘God’s channel’ which he follows, as it provides meaning to his young and troubled life. But the fact that the film, through the science teacher, even points out that by seeing his future means that one has a choice, which makes ‘all performed destiny come to an end’ is important as the film acknowledges that Donnie does not have to perform his ‘destiny’, that it is a choice, which gives Donnie free will. So, whilst the film itself subscribes to the notion of destiny and meaning, it also makes a point that Donnie chooses to save the universe consciously, even if the universe helps him along that path.
As Russian Doll subscribes to a Many Worlds theory of the multiverse, this question of determinism is more complicated. As stated before, can free will exist if there are infinite universes where one plays out different actions in different universes? Would this mean that you were doomed to live out your one version of history? What Russian Doll makes clear is that it is the characters actions which cause different universes to appear. For instance, at first, Nadia keeps falling down a set of stairs which keeps causing her to die. She then takes the fire escape which enables her to live longer and take different actions. Sometimes she befriends a homeless man who offers to, or actually gives her, a haircut and life advice. Sometimes she makes amends with, or falls out with, her ex-boyfriend. These actions then cause chain reactions which lead to epiphanies or death, or both. It depends on how Nadia and Alan act that change each course of action in each branching universe. This resonates with how the Many Worlds theory was developed by physicists. For example, quantum particles which constantly change state until one observes the particle, when one observes this particle it somehow chooses one state. Right now, there is no solid theory as to how or why, but one answer developed was that the particle does not choose but both states are true in different universes. This branching of the multiverse happens because of a choice, which is exactly what happens in Russian Doll. Thus, whilst Nadia and Alan are seemingly trapped in a state where they are forced to constantly die (and reckon with their pasts) they do have free will. Their choices then affect their actions to the extent that they manage fix the glitch and each version of themselves can live a life within their respective universe.
Conclusion: whilst both Donnie Darko and Russian Doll deal with the multiverse, and what this means for free will, in different ways, they both represent challenges to our traditional view of what reality is. Both texts represent difficult concepts that real physicists contend with and should be commended for how they visually and conceptually present a multiverse. Whilst both texts show a universe where the protagonists are trapped in a sometimes-hopeless situation and seem as if they are being controlled by some outside force, both texts do give the protagonists agency and place value on the conscious decisions that they make, which suggests free will is still possible in the multiverse. Whilst both of these texts could easily be analysed through themes of morality or social commentary, this article hopes to highlight the metaphysical themes that are rich within these texts. That fictional film can educate the viewer on topics such as quantum physics and question the viewers very natural concepts of what the universe contains should not be ignored but valued and applauded.
**Note: I realise that the references and sources in this article are predominantly online videos which are traditionally unreliable sources. However, I chose these sources for their accessibility. If you are interested in reading some peer reviewed sources which deal with the multiverse, please see the linked sources below.
- https://space.mit.edu/home/tegmark/multiverse.pdf This is a paper discussing the multiverse by Max Tegmark from January 2003 published by Cambridge University Press.
- https://arxiv.org/pdf/1707.07702.pdf This is Stephen Hawking’s infamous paper on the multiverse from May 2018 published by Journal of High Energy Physics.
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303859846_The_Multiverse This is a more accessible paper on the multiverse from the point of view of cosmology written by Victor-Andrei Bodiut from March 2016 published by University of Groningen.
Other sources (non peer reviewed):
https://www.space.com/32728-parallel-universes.html An accessible explanation of the science behind multiverse theories.
https://phys.org/news/2018-05-multiversestephen-hawking-theory-big.html A supplement piece about Stephen Hawking’s paper on the multiverse.
