Noah Wyle has confirmed that he still has no idea what Donnie Darko is about. The admission lands as the film celebrates its 25th anniversary on October 26. The 2001 sci-fi thriller mixes alternate universes, time travel, and a mysterious rabbit with a troubled teenager. His part was small, yet it keeps paying him back. Wyle seems to have made peace with the mystery, and he is clearly having fun with it.

While most actors polish their résumés, Wyle admits his best street credibility comes from a film he cannot explain.

Noah Wyle says Donnie Darko gives him possibly more street credibility than anything else he has done, yet he has no clue what it is about. The 55-year-old played science teacher Dr. Kenneth Monnitoff in the 2001 thriller, where Jake Gyllenhaal plays a troubled teen.

“Confusing, but super cool,” Wyle told PEOPLE, recalling his first impression of the script.

He said the film’s lasting impact on cinephiles of all ages had been extremely gratifying, then added, “Just don’t ask me what the movie is about…”

Drew Barrymore, who produced the film, sent Wyle the script after the two bonded over a shared publicist and a wish to work together. Wyle wrapped his scenes in about three days and recalled nothing particularly challenging, only fond memories. Barrymore told PEOPLE she was surprised nobody had backed the writer-director, since that full vision felt vital. That writer, Richard Kelly, was only 25 behind the camera and hoped viewers would rewatch it to find new details.

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While Wyle cannot decode time travel and a rabbit, he has a very clear map for his current hospital drama.

Noah Wyle told Vanity Fair that The Pitt has the structure for a five or six-year mental health journey for Dr. Michael Robinavitch, better known as Robby, inside a hospital show. He says he is personally invested in that arc and would love to see it happen. For now, the plan stays at one season at a time. Season 2 ended on April 16, 2026, and Season 3 is set to premiere in January 2027.

At a London event for the HBO Max launch in the United Kingdom, Wyle said Season 2 proved the show needs no big plot device to stay gripping. Watching everyday people survive their day is compelling enough, and by that logic, the series could run forever. Robby has carried unresolved trauma and heavy emotional strain through two seasons, which gives that long road plenty of fuel. Wyle may have a clear map for Robby, but Donnie Darko remains one puzzle he happily leaves unsolved.

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What are your thoughts on Noah Wyle’s Donnie Darko confession and Robby’s six-season journey? Let us know in the comments.