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Daybreak
By Joyce Slaton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Post-apocalyptic charmer is too bloody for tweens.
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Daybreak
Community Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Absolutely excellent series! Make a season 2 Netflix!!!
My favourite show
What's the Story?
Based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Brian Ralph, DAYBREAK takes place in Glendale, California, a few months after a nuclear bomb has turned everyone over 18 into either "goo" or ravenous zombies known as "Ghoulies." But an army of teens remain, and what were once the cliques of Glendale High have solidified into murderous street gangs, intent on wiping out rival survivors. Josh Wheeler (Colin Ford) survives by keeping to himself, until one day when he runs afoul of Glendale's former golf team and gains two companions: his former bully Wesley (Austin Crute) and go-for-broke tween terror Angelica (Alyvia Alyn Lind). Can this team of three make it through Glendale's wasteland, avoid the gangs, and find Josh's missing main squeeze, Sam (Sophie Simnett)?
Is It Any Good?
Like a post-apocalyptic Ferris Bueller's Day Off, this energetic series is overflowing with verve, charm, and quotable lines, but it's too bloody for preteens. Colin Ford makes a likable every-guy hero, greeting menace with quips and a broad smile, skating (literally) on the borders between the now-armed cliques of Glendale. Really, the zombies and gang conflicts are just a backdrop for the kinds of hijinks viewers will recognize from other high school-set movies: obstacle-beset romance, pranks, chase scenes, and big showdowns -- though these showdowns are likelier to end with hacked-off limbs and dead bodies.
The tone is light enough that the mayhem isn't a big bummer, and Josh's heroes' journey is easy to follow and relate to, particularly with his two sworn companions Wesley and Angelica in tow. Intent on moral redemption after a regretful high school bully stage, Wesley is positively huggable, while tough-as-nails Angelica feels like a riff on Kick-Ass's Hit Girl but is fun to watch anyway: How many 10-year-olds get to wield a flamethrower and spit four-letter words? And how many action shows make room for a tween girl, anyway? If Daybreak is humanity's last stand, we could have a worse epitaph.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the level of violence in Daybreak. Is it more or less violent than you expected? More or less violent than other shows or movies set after an apocalyptic event? How can you tell the difference between the "good" and "bad" characters on this show? Is the violence in this show enjoyable? What impact does media violence have on kids?
Families can also talk about the character of Angelica. Was the idea of a skilled, confident 10-year-old girl hero cool, or disturbing? Or both? Why? Is she a role model, or a cautionary tale? What responsibility do the movie studio and the filmmakers have to the young actress involved in a mature show like this?
How do the characters in Daybreak demonstrate communication and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 18, 2019
- Cast: Colin Ford , Matthew Broderick , Austin Crute
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Comedy
- Character Strengths: Communication , Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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