Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Daybreakers

also known as “Nea fyli,” “O Ano da Extinção,” “Aušros kariai,” “Boj za kri,” “Daybreakers - 2019: Νέα φυλή,” “Daybreakers - A vámpírok kora,” “Daybreakers - L'ultimo vampiro,” “Daybreakers - O Último Vampiro,” See more »
MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for strong bloody violence, language and brief nudity.

Reviewed by: Elisa A. Walker
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Sci-Fi Vampire Horror Drama
Length: 1 hr. 38 min.
Year of Release: 2010
USA Release: January 8, 2010 (wide—2,400+ theaters)
DVD: May 11, 2010
Copyright, Lionsgate Filmsclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Lionsgate Films Copyright, Lionsgate Films Copyright, Lionsgate Films Copyright, Lionsgate Films Copyright, Lionsgate Films Copyright, Lionsgate Films Copyright, Lionsgate Films Copyright, Lionsgate Films Copyright, Lionsgate Films
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Lionsgate Films

Futuristic world overrun by vampires

Centers around a vampiric corporation which sets out to capture and farm the remaining humans while researching a substitute for human blood

Blood in the Bible

Murder

Death

Final judgment

Featuring Ethan HawkeEdward
Willem DafoeElvis
Isabel LucasAlison Bromley
Sam NeillCharles Bromley
See all »
Director The Spierig brothers: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig
Producer Furst Films
Lionsgate
See all »
Distributor
Distributor: Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Trademark logo.
Lionsgate
(Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.)

“Take… ‘The Matrix’ and ‘28 Days Later’ …and you’ve got ‘Daybreakers’”

Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke) is a hematologist that works for the world’s leading blood pharmacy. Trying to find a blood substitute, Edward finds something even more valuable. Racing against time, the dwindling human blood supply, and humanity itself, Edward is faced with literally saving the world. Willem Dafoe, Claudia Karvan, and Sam Neill also star in this fast-paced, action-packed, eerie thriller.

Morality Issues

Language: The language for an R was actually relatively mild. There were 3 uses of “G**D***,” a handful of uses of “F***,” and a few “S***,” “D***,” and “H***.”

Sexuality: There were no sex scenes or any sexuality in the movie. In the beginning, half-naked humans can be seen being farmed for blood, but it isn’t sexual, and it is brief. There is one reference to something being safe as having a $5 whore, but that is it.

Violence: The violence is pretty heavy though; it is a thriller/horror kind of film. There are vampires, so it can be deduced that blood will follow. There are several instances of explosions and blood and guts. Also, there are a couple of frightening scenes, dead bodies, and “monsters” that appear, so this movie is not for the faint of heart.

Miscellaneous: The movie itself has a dark setting because it revolves around vampires.

Spiritual Issues

The fact that the movie revolves around vampires may offend those that think that the idea of vampires is sinful—if that is you, then this is not the movie for you. I would say the most prevalent spiritual issue/theme in this movie would be the fear of dying. People turned into vampires, at first, because they were sick or were afraid to die. As Christians, we know that our bodies are seriously flawed, and that a new world and a new body are waiting for us in the life to come. And I wouldn’t blame someone for being afraid to die, if I didn’t know Christ, I’d be afraid, too. “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thought of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

My Recommendation

I find it interesting that so many criticize the Twilight Saga for either being hokey or sinful, yet so many movies copy it. So much of this movie copies Twilight. Edward, the main character of “DayBreakers,” somehow has the same name as the Edward Cullen of “Twilight.” Furthermore, the Edward of “DayBreakers” is a good vampire and refuses to drink human blood—ring a bell? I find it annoying that so many movies and TV shows are copying “Twilight” and most of them are much more vulgar and gruesome. “DayBreakers” is your average vampire movie; vampires burn in the sun, they go out at night, they attack humans, etc. It, at least, wasn’t cheesy, and it was surprisingly entertaining; though I think I will stick to “Twilight”—it is not as dark and is much more wholesome. So all in all, if you find the above observations offensive, then don’t see the movie; if you are fine with them, than take a chance and see for yourself. In the end, only you can make that call.

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Minor

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—This was one of those movies I was semi-interested in watching for some years but never quite surmounted the whole “yet another vampire movie” mental roadblock. I finally watched it and was quite surprised.

Cinematography: The setting is an intriguing blend of modern styles, futuristic tech, and noir fashions; the palette follows a similar path, with muted and greyed tones reflecting the “night” and warm bronze and gold tones for the “day.” It took me a little while to accept some of the 1950s-60s costume styles, but it works on its own terms. Fine acting by Mr. Dafoe, Hawke, and Neill. Dafoe and Hawke have good chemistry which anticipates their reunion in 2022’s “The Northman.” Perhaps best known for his role in “Jurassic Park,” Sam Neill is no stranger to playing the villain, and his role as the cold and pragmatic vampiric businessman recalls some elements of his energy in 1997’s “Event Horizon.”

Story: If you’re reading this, you already know the plot. There are a few points of interest for Christians I would like to highlight. I guess there are spoilers ahead if you care for that sort of thing.See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Evergreen (USA)
Neutral
Neutral—I didn’t like this movie, but I see the quality of the cinematography. The storyline was intriguing. The setting worked. I’m just not into the whole vampire thing. The only reason I comment here is because I can’t believe that this review doesn’t even mention the obvious political allegory. The vampires lead military campaigns to recover more blood from the innocent, defenseless humans.

The big, capitalist corporation’s greed and their exploitation of the humans for profit causes all of the movie’s problems. And those who refuse to use blood are persecuted by the government. It’s such a bad allegory of the oil situation that it almost makes me sad to say I paid money to see it. If you’re a green freak or a Twi-fan, then you may want to see it. If not, then I don’t suggest you waste your money.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Trenton, age 20
Neutral—SPOILER ALERT! My husband and I decided to watch this film together one night, I am always curious about vampire movies and series because each one is always portrayed in a different way according to the writer. While there is extreme violence, the other parts of the story were excellent. I am much more bothered and convicted by sexuality and language in movies, more than violence. I always think about the extreme violence in “The Passion of the Christ,” and how it was given an “R” rating.

The wonderful thing about this movie is how the vampires were “cured” or “set free”. The “Sun” set them free and cured them. As Christians we are set free by the “Son”. After being set free and cured, they could now stand in the light, just as we can now stand in the presence of the “Light”. As far as sexuality and language, this film was clean. I love it when a Hollywood movie does this. Movies that don’t include sex and swearing are becoming non existent.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Jael, age 36 (USA)