The Director’s Cut has this commentary from Writer/Director Richard Kelly — "At midnight on October 2nd, a Tangent Universe branches off the Primary Universe around the time when Donnie is called out of his bedroom by Frank, immediately before the appearance of the Artifact, the faulty jet engine. This unstable Tangent Universe will collapse in just over 28 days and take the Primary Universe with it if not corrected. Closing the Tangent Universe is the duty of the Living Receiver, Donnie, who wields certain supernatural powers to help him in the task."

The Directors Cut fills in a lot of blanks, is viscerally superior and beautiful, but long.