Review of Daybreakers (2010) by Andrew W — 30 Dec 2012

This film is definitely better than your average vampire film. Its very well acted, and the special effects are well done, plus the plot flows forward smoothly. Unfortunately, the story seems flimsy and rests on very shaky ground - no vampire traits, such as vanishing into thin air by burning when staked, or being burned into ashes by sunlight, not having a reflection, the process of people being turned into vampires , are explained.

Some kind of explanation I would sort of have expected, since the basis of the vampirism in hemophilia is stated clearly in the beginning of the film. If you just take for granted the myths created by Bram Stoker, Hammer Studios and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, then you will have no problem. But when one begins explain something semi-scientifically, leaving it short just wont cut it. In short, the background story is so full of holes that a flock of bats could fly through.

Dafoe and Hawke act well, and Sam Neill is the famous actor whom you will see in many horror films, as you have probably seen till now. Action, acting, effects, Isabel Lucas, mutant vampires, sudden spookiness makes great stuff. Ultra violence, too loud sounds are the minus side. The film gets almost into a splatter mode with its overdriven bloody violence, and the loud voices and screeches are too disturbing. Maybe I was sitting too close to the screen, though.

On the philosophical side, I think this could be seen as an allegory for the power of the wealthy industrialized countries over the poor and sick. Or as an allegory on the individual level of how men totally driven by and given up to their base instinct ultimately sell their friends and everything they have by following these impulses. Self control is one thing which differentiates men from animals, and vampires can be seen as creatures devoid of the ability, feeding like parasites on others, and not only that, but making them like themselves by their evil desire for blood. Vampire films in this socio-economic framework is a clear allegory for all that is anti-cultural and thus dehumanizing in the modern society, for anything that makes a man fall from human below animal.

No vampires dancing under bridges with umbrellas here, just a medley of insane violence. Akin to '30 days of night' in its style, with some sick spooky moments reminiscent of 'Drag me to hell' - always watch out for the silent peaceful scenes, cause thats when they will strike at you.