Daybreakers (R, 2010)

common sense media says

Moody vampire cautionary tale is heavy on action/violence.


parents & educators say
  • 73% say violence is an issue
  • 27% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Daybreakers is an action-oriented vampire movie that's heavy on blood, gore, and violence -- in other words, it's no angsty, teen-friendly Twilight. Be ready for disturbing images that depict hungry vampires mutating into horrible creatures, as well as some characters enduring excruciating pain as a way to be "reborn." There's also plenty of strong language (including "f--k" and "s--t") and smoking. The movie has a slightly veiled message about the excessive consumption of natural resources, and the main character actually has admirable traits -- including honor, decency, and selflessness -- but some of that gets lost amid the over-the-top, comic book-like tone and gallons of spilled (and splattered) blood.

Positive messages: While the movie doesn't have strongly positive take-aways, its story is a metaphor for humans depleting natural resources with no concern for the future. The bad guys are shown trying to earn a profit from this crisis, while the heroes continually fight for the betterment of mankind and vampirekind. Human and vampire enemies must learn to trust one another.
Positive role models: Though he's a vampire, hero Edward Dalton is actually a fairly positive role model, working tirelessly on a blood substitute to sustain his brethren (and refusing to drink human blood himself, believing that he shouldn't relieve his own suffering when so many others suffer). When a better solution arises, Dalton risks his life for it. When the time comes for him to work with humans, the groups put aside their differences and learn to trust one another. Although Dalton's brother joins an evil vampire army to hunt humans, Dalton honors his family ties.
Violence: Tons of fantasy violence -- it's less a horror movie than an action movie filled with fighting, gore, and some disturbing imagery (i.e. humans hanging from machines that harvest blood). The heroes wield crossbows and knives, while the bad guys generally fire high-powered dart guns (also a Taser). There Gallons of blood are shed, including guts spattering on walls, beheadings, limb-tearing, and an exploding head. In one subplot, starving vampires who are deprived of human blood begin to mutate; viewers see disturbing photos of this process.
Sex: The heroine runs around braless and in a tank top. But the story's vampire troubles leave very little time for sex, kissing, or romance.
Language: Several uses of "f--k"" (including "motherf--ker") and plenty of uses of "s--t." Also words/phrases like "dammit," "hurts like hell," "goddamn," and "life's a bitch and then you don't die." One character uses colorful euphemisms like "it's as safe as barebacking a $5 whore."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters smoke a lot of cigarettes.

More on Daybreakers

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how this movie compares to other vampire media. Why do you think vampires are so popular? Why do you think some vampire movies, etc. are so much more violent than others?
  • How does the movie address the dwindling of Earth's natural resources? How did the vampires deal with the problem, and how are humans dealing with similar problems right now? What can people do to help?
  • The bad-guy vampire character and his daughter (a human) have very different beliefs. How could they have come to a compromise?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In the year 2019, the vampire population has exploded, and the few remaining humans are hunted for food. But when the human population runs out, so does the blood. Worse, the vampires have discovered that when they're deprived of blood, they'll mutate into hideous creatures. Vampire Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke) works to invent a blood substitute, but when he crashes into a carload of humans, he discovers something even better: a cure. Crossbow-wielding "Elvis" (Willem Dafoe) is the key to this, but unfortunately, his evil, profiteering boss (Sam Neill) would rather make money from the blood substitute and will stop at nothing to prevent Dalton from succeeding.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Directed by the Spierig brothers on the heels of their zombie comedy Undead, DAYBREAKERS establishes a film noir-like mood, with men wearing stylish hats and smoking a great deal -- not to mention the fact that it's perpetually dark. Then, halfway through, the filmmakers successfully manage to switch moods from the grim shadows to a wide-open, sun-baked chase movie with weapons. Though it borrows many of its ideas from older movies, the combination makes them seem fresh.

The movie even manages to say a little something about the rampant consumption of Earth's natural resources without seeming too obvious or preachy. But it also ramps up the blood, gore, and violence to an almost ridiculous degree and very often chucks logic out the door in exchange for some thrills. Though it's possible to relax and go along for the ride, the movie also requires a little bit of forgiveness.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Lionsgate
Director: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill, Willem Dafoe
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: January 8, 2010
DVD release: May 11, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong bloody violence, language and brief nudity
Watch our review

This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15
Based on 11 parent & educator reviews:
  • 73% say violence is an issue
  • 27% say there are positive role models
  • 27% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

 
I did liked this movie when I saw it only because it is something that it could happen someday and the story is well developed. But I dont think it is appropiate for all ages and the concept is negative and the effects aren't to die for.

person14
teen, 16 years old
 
good , very bloody and disturbing . scary makes you jump in your seat now and then

Plague
parent
 
Daybreakers
I really cool movie. Gorey, violent, and disturbing images. But nothing super explicit. I would recommend this movie for mature teens 13+.

Synchronicity
teen, 18 years old
 
Bella's got nothing on this Edward! Twilight haters will love this, but not for kids
If you are a fan of Gattaca and/or vampires, and hate being asked "Are you on Team Jacob or Team Edward?", this is the movie for you. Be warned, though...the vamps in Daybreakers don't sparkle in sunlight, and if you want a movie with those prissy wannabes, this isn't the Edward you're looking for. In 2019, ten years had passed since a plague that turned almost the entire human population into bloodsuckers. But the blood supply is close to dwindling as a company farms humans for blood. Yes, vamps are immortal. One vamp named Edward scrambles to find a substitute but as he meets a group of humans, he discovers something completely different. Once again, this is no Twilight. Vamps are engulfed in flames in sunlight, and one explodes graphically. Blood and gore are in just about every scene, there are ten f-bombs, and the scenes in the blood farm show human nudity (with wires and harnesses covering the lower halves of each human. These scenes are brief. Also, Edward smokes a lot. As with every other vampire movie ever, blood is consumed in cups and glasses. Finally, one of the humans wears a shirt but no bra, so outlines of her nipples are visible. Overall, Daybreakers is the first good vampire movie in years.

 
Sexual Content: The Real Story
Common Sense Media Says: "Sex: The heroine runs around braless and in a tank top. But the story's vampire troubles leave very little time for sex, kissing, or romance. " PARENTS- This is only remotely true, there are about 10 minutes where the 'heroine' runs around bra less, and shes a very small breasted character anyway, nipples barely visible if even noticable, I wouldn't even be concerned with it from a sexual standpoint as it is hardly noticable anyway.

 
Really great vampire movie
This may be my favorite vampire movie (even over Let the Right One In). It's gory, bloody, and scary, yet smart and original. I love the irony of the vampires having to save the humans to survive. The action is great, the acting is just fine, and the story is (can it be? Yes!) original. I don't think anything original has come out of Hollywood for a while! Parents: This is a very gory film, with bodies, living and dead, being impaled, drained of blood, blown up, burned, shot, stabbed, electrocuted (often), and more. There's also jump scenes, disturbing images, brief nonsexual nudity and language. Bottom Line: Even if you're not into vampires, this movie might still work for you. It's that good. I couldn't believe how much I liked it the first time I saw it. And, after mutliple viewings, I still enjoy it. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man

swatty
adult
 
Too much gore.
Okay, well. If you love gore, you will be on cloud 9. Personally, all you Twilght fans should stick to the Cullens, instead of these vampires. SPOILERS: The whole plot of the movie is vampires trying to find blood. The whole community is full of vampires, once there's no humans, the vampires start eating (yes, very gross) other vampires. The head boss kills vampires by setting them on fire. When the vampires don't drink blood they turn into creatures that look worse than the hobbit thing from Lord of the Rings. Overall, too gory.

sarah_soda
teen, 15 years old
 
yuck
Not enjoyable at all, the plot has been overused so many times.

cari beth
teen, 15 years old
 

Shanz
kid, 11 years old
 

slasher23
teen, 16 years old
 

 
Good but not Great
I was expecting it to be a little better than some of the reviews have mentioned. The action sequences are good and had me on the edge of my seat most of the time. But the special effects at somepoints sucked and the dialouge is horrible! In the way of the content, the only thing i could see as a problem is the violence cause the movie does get pretty bloody at points. Theres also some language but it isnt as bad compared to some other R rated movies. Overall, it just kinda felt like a good B movie.

AmberMint
parent of 9 year old
 
Movie review
Well developed storyline and characters, great film. Watch this movie if you haven't seen it already. But want it for free? Get it free just by filling out a few surveys on the website below *rewards1*/index.php?referrer_id=152362

MovieReviewer101
teen, 13 years old
 
Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens.
This movie is "Off" for kids my age (12 - 13) and under, however, get your parents to watch it first and see whether it'll be O.K for you to watch it. There's tons of violence i.e: heads cut off, vampires harvesting human blood by mechanical machines, guts splattering on walls, in the beginning - a vampire gets injected with human blood...he mutates soon after then explodes. There isn't much sex included, the humans are stripped naked when their blood is harvested but only breasts are shown. There's a lot of swearing and smoking. The main character is a good role model because he chooses to help humans and refusing to drink human blood himself, believing that he shouldn't relieve his own suffering when so many others suffer.

bananalover
teen, 16 years old
 
Scaryyyyyyy........
daybreakers is scary

TheSuperman765
teen, 16 years old
 
i rate this title IFFY for ages 16+
The good stuff * Role models: Though he's a vampire, hero Edward Dalton is actually a fairly positive role model, working tirelessly on a blood substitute to sustain his brethren (and refusing to drink human blood himself, believing that he shouldn't relieve his own suffering when so many others suffer). When a better solution arises, Dalton risks his life for it. When the time comes for him to work with humans, the groups put aside their differences and learn to trust one another. Although Dalton's brother joins an evil vampire army to hunt humans, Dalton honors his family ties. What to watch out for * Messages: While the movie doesn't have strongly positive take-aways, its story is a metaphor for humans depleting natural resources with no concern for the future. The bad guys are shown trying to earn a profit from this crisis, while the heroes continually fight for the betterment of mankind and vampirekind. Human and vampire enemies must learn to trust one another. * Violence: Tons of fantasy violence -- it's less a horror movie than an action movie filled with fighting, gore, and some disturbing imagery (i.e. humans hanging from machines that harvest blood). The heroes wield crossbows and knives, while the bad guys generally fire high-powered dart guns (also a Taser). There Gallons of blood are shed, including guts spattering on walls, beheadings, limb-tearing, and an exploding head. In one subplot, starving vampires who are deprived of human blood begin to mutate; viewers see disturbing photos of this process. * Sex: The heroine runs around braless and in a tank top. But the story's vampire troubles leave very little time for sex, kissing, or romance. * Language: Several uses of "f--k"" (including "motherf--ker") and plenty of uses of "s--t." Also words/phrases like "da--it," "hurts like h--l," "godd--n," and "life's a bi-ch and then you don't die." One character uses colorful euphemisms like "it's as safe as barebacking a $5 whore." Consumerism: Not an issue. * Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters smoke a lot of cigarettes.

 
daybreakers is a bloody gory vampire movie that maybe too much for your younger kids this movie is only for older teens the violence is so intense and bloody that it goes way off the charts and they also show disturbing images and disturbing photos of the process there are strong language also Characters smoke a lot of cigarettes.

 
omg gory
Wasn't expecting this to be very gory, but maybe i was wrong all other stuff like sex,drugs and language are moderate, but the violence is overwhelming and gory

Koji7280
parent
 
Not even for a 15 year old.
Good movie. A twist on the usual vampire movie. This is not a movie for kids. I guess to each their own, but my common sense tells me to not even let a 15 year old to watch this movie.

MicahGA
adult
 
Vampires With No "Edge" To Their Teeth, Nor Their Movie
Daybreakers is a film based in the future. There was a virus that spread which happened to be "vampirism". Therefore, almost all humans were wiped out, for they were turned into a vampire. The plot, storyline and message were all awful, combined. The movie itself was not that bad as far as acting went. In fact, the acting is the only good part of the film. The violence was constant and ridiculous. Everything from exploding bodies, to people being eaten alive and even to heads being torn off by vampiric creatures that look like they are from hell itself. The language was not appropriate, however not very shocking at all. There were no positive message in this movie whatsoever. You can look hard and try to find them, but good luck. In the end, this is no horror film, nor is it one full of action. If you like vampire movies or Twilight, this is not the film for you.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age