Daybreakers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Vampires run out of blood, so a vampire scientist teams up with a crossbow-wielding human to discover that sunscreen is actually the cure for vampirism, leading to a city-wide blood orgy of reverse-vampirism.

🍿 Daybreakers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Vampire Society in 2019

In 2019, a plague has transformed most of humanity into vampires. With only a small percentage of humans remaining, the vampire society faces a critical blood shortage. This shortage is causing widespread panic and the emergence of ‘subsiders’ – devolved, feral vampires driven mad by hunger. The world is adapted to the vampires, with tunnels allowing them to move during the day.

Dr. Edward Dalton’s Quest

Dr. Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke), a vampire hematologist working for Bromley Marks, is searching for a synthetic blood substitute to alleviate the crisis. Sympathetic to the plight of humans, he is conflicted about the vampires’ dependence on human blood. His work is driven by the hope of finding a solution that doesn’t involve further exploitation of the remaining humans. He struggles with his own vampirism.

Meeting the Human Resistance

Edward’s path crosses with Audrey Bennett (Claudia Karvan), a human survivor, and Lionel ‘Elvis’ Cormac (Willem Dafoe), a former vampire who has mysteriously reverted to human form. Elvis explains his transformation involved intense sun exposure followed by immersion in water. Edward learns that there might be a way to reverse vampirism altogether, changing the course of vampire society.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke): A vampire hematologist, sympathetic to humans, who seeks a blood substitute and ultimately finds a way to reverse vampirism.
• Lionel ‘Elvis’ Cormac (Willem Dafoe): A former vampire turned human who helps Edward discover the cure for vampirism.
• Charles Bromley (Sam Neill): The head of a powerful corporation who initially seeks a blood substitute but later opposes the cure to maintain control.
• Frankie Dalton (Michael Dorman): Edward’s estranged brother and a soldier who hunts humans, eventually sacrificing himself to spread the cure.
• Audrey Bennett (Claudia Karvan): A human survivor and leader of a resistance group who seeks to cure vampirism and restore humanity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Edward Dalton: “Welcome back to humanity. Now you get to die.” – Said sarcastically after discovering a human who was previously a vampire.
• Lionel ‘Elvis’ Cormac: “A human in a world of vampires is about as safe as barebacking a five dollar whore!” – Elvis explains the dangers humans face in this vampire-dominated world.
• Charles Bromley: “You can’t play God! You’re a hematologist!” – Bromley expresses his disapproval of Edward’s pursuit of a cure for vampirism.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $30,101,577
• Worldwide Gross: $51,417,188

💥 Daybreakers Reviews

Personal Review

I loved the concept of Daybreakers! The idea of vampires running the world, struggling with a blood shortage, was so creative. The scenes showing how society adapted to vampire life were fascinating. However, the plot got a little convoluted in the middle, and the ‘cure’ felt a bit convenient. Still, the visuals and performances, especially Willem Dafoe as Elvis, kept me entertained. The movie definitely has its flaws, but it’s a fun and original take on vampires.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of vampire movies with a sci-fi twist”
  • “Viewers interested in dystopian worlds and social commentary”
  • “People who enjoy action horror films with gore and practical effects”
  • “Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, or Sam Neill fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Intense horror sequences”
  • “Themes of blood, hunger, and societal collapse”
  • “Mature themes, not suitable for young children”

Professional Reviews

• JoBlo.com: “Daybreakers presents an interesting twist to the vampire genre, exploring a world where vampires are the majority. While the plot has some familiar elements, the film’s unique premise and strong visuals make it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.
• Nerdly: “The film balances science fiction, horror, and action to create a thrilling narrative about the lengths that an entire species will go to in order to survive. There is also a fantastic performance by Sam Neill.
• IMDb User Review: “Daybreakers takes a clever spin on vampire lore, crafting a world where vampires are the norm, and the real horror is a dwindling food supply. The effects are solid, and Ethan Hawke adds depth. It is a good relief from the vampire romance we have seen lately.

Audience Reactions

The world-building, showing how vampires adapted to everyday life, was amazing.: Most viewers enjoyed the unique take on vampire society and the exploration of resource scarcity.

Willem Dafoe’s character, Elvis, added a lot of humor and fun to the movie.: Audiences found Willem Dafoe’s performance entertaining and memorable.

Overall Consensus: Daybreakers offers a fresh and imaginative take on vampire lore, though it suffers from some plot inconsistencies and underdeveloped characters.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Spierig brothers, who wrote and directed the film, had been working on the concept for ‘Daybreakers’ since 2003, showing their long-term commitment to the project.”
• “Sam Neill stated in interviews that he was drawn to the film by a specific scene in the screenplay involving vampire businessmen buying coffee spiked with human blood, which he found intriguing.”
• “To maintain a consistent look, the filmmakers heavily utilized a blue color palette, reflecting the bleak lighting conditions under which the vampire population lives.”

🖥️ How to Watch Daybreakers?

Daybreakers can be found for streaming rental or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for cable availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Daybreakers, you might like these similar films:

• 30 Days of Night (2007): Both movies feature vampires as menacing creatures in a fight for survival against humans.
• Blade (1998): A vampire hunter fights to protect humans from vampires, similar themes of vampire dominance and resistance.
• Ultraviolet (2006): A woman infected with vampire-like disease fighting against a government that wants to control the infected.
• Gattaca (1997): Explores themes of societal control and prejudice based on genetic makeup, similar to the vampire hierarchy in Daybreakers.

🛒 Daybreakers Related Products

• Daybreakers [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray edition with behind-the-scenes footage and director’s commentary.
• Daybreakers: The Graphic Novel: Explore the expanded universe of Daybreakers in this digital graphic novel, delving into character backstories and unseen events.
• Daybreakers T-Shirt: Bromley Marks Corp.: Officially licensed T-shirt featuring the Bromley Marks logo.
• Vampire Hunter Crossbow Set: Replica crossbow and bolt set inspired by Willem Dafoe’s character, Elvis.

🎧 Soundtrack

Daybreakers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Burning Love” – performed by Dennis Linde
• “The Scientist” – performed by Coldplay
• “End Credit Theme” – performed by Christopher Gordon

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Daybreakers explained by an idiot

Want to know about the story of Daybreakers, but don’t have time for the 2-hour movie? Watch this video instead!

Was DAYBREAKERS Really That Bad?

This video takes a closer look at Daybreakers. Sit back and hear all about the good and bad.

The Vampires of The Movie Daybreakers (2009)

Vampires are always fascinating! This video talks all about the vampires in Daybreakers and dives into what makes them so different from other vampire films.

What I remember from Daybreakers

This short video is a hilarious and unexpected take on the movie. It only lasts for 3 minutes, so give it a watch!

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