Daybreakers (2009)
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In a world where a vampire plague has left humanity as a dwindling food source, a vampire hematologist joins forces with human survivors to find a cure.
The story
In the year 2019, a global plague caused by an infected vampire bat has transformed most of the human population into immortal vampires. As the supply of uninfected humans decreases, vampires face a severe blood shortage, with those deprived of blood degenerating into bestial 'subsiders'. Humans are captured and kept alive for their blood while scientists search for a synthetic substitute. Edward Dalton, the head hematologist for the largest corporate supplier of human blood, works to develop this substitute. His work is interrupted by human survivors who possess a potential cure that could save the human species.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 2019, a vampire plague has turned most humans into vampires, creating a blood shortage where those without blood become 'subsiders'. Edward Dalton, a vampire hematologist for Bromley Marks, works on a synthetic blood substitute while the CEO, Charles Bromley, secretly plans to keep pure human blood for the wealthy. After Dalton hides a group of human survivors, he meets Lionel 'Elvis' Cormac, a human who was cured of vampirism by brief sunlight exposure. Edward agrees to help Cormac recreate the cure. They discover a human sympathizer, Senator Wes Turner, but the humans are eventually slaughtered. Meanwhile, Charles Bromley's daughter, Alison, is forcibly turned into a vampire, becomes a subsider, and is executed. After various trials, Edward, Cormac, and Audrey successfully cure Edward of vampirism. They discover that a cured human is immune to bites and cured vampire blood is a cure itself. Christopher Caruso, who created the substitute, refuses to share the cure. In a final confrontation, Edward taunts Charles into biting him, turning Charles human and leaving him to be killed by blood-starved troops. Frankie Dalton sacrifices himself to allow Edward and Audrey to escape. The survivors drive off into the sunrise with the cure to restore humanity.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 98
- Production countries
- United States; Australia
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Peter Spierig
- Writers
- Michael Spierig · writer; Peter Spierig · writer
- Cast and characters
- Ethan Hawke · Edward Dalton; Willem Dafoe · Lionel 'Elvis' Cormac; Claudia Karvan · Audrey Bennett; Michael Dorman · Frankie Dalton; Isabel Lucas · Alison Bromley; Vince Colosimo · Christopher Caruso; Sam Neill · Charles Bromley
- Genres
- dystopian; sci-fi; action; horror; vampire
- Themes
- resource scarcity; humanity vs. monstrosity; allegory of natural resources
- Tone and mood
- dystopian; noir-ish; morose; sleek
- Premise and plot tags
- vampire outbreak; viral outbreak; post-apocalyptic; sci-fi horror
- Content notes
- blood
- Reception
- The film received mixed-to-positive critical reception, with praise for its unique twist on the genre and visual effects, though some critics found it a routine chase thriller.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 69% · review count: 154; Metacritic · score: 57 · scale: 100 · review count: 31; CinemaScore · score: C · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- The film was re-released in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format in 2019 because the movie takes place in that year.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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