Daybreakers (15)

This is not your standard vampire film. If you expect it to be glossy, jumpy and a human-kill-vampire or human-fancies-vampire affair, then you will be very much mistaken. This is dark, different and quite disgusting in places.

In Daybreakers, vampires are the superior race and humans are merely used as a food resource. They have taken over the universe and despite their military’s hunting efforts; their food supply is running low. This is where vampire Edward (Ethan Hawke) comes in. He is a haematologist for a giant corporation and has been experimenting on vampires to try and find a substitute for blood. The vampires are turning on each other in a fight for food, which also causes mutations. Unlike the majority, Edward hates being a vampire and never drinks human blood and with the help of humans, he manages to find a cure- a way to turn back human. However, the corporation to do not want a cure because they want to remain the dominant, strong race. And so Edward chooses to team up with humans to fit against the vampires, to bring down the corporation and prevent innocent humans being hunted.

This film is very bleak because it makes you imagine a world where monsters rule. The mood is mainly grey, the main character is rather sombre but luckily, the film gets a breath of fresh air when we meet the humans, Audrey and Elvis, who still have an optimistic take on life. It is not a film you go to enjoy but it is very interesting to watch because it is more original than most vampire films. One minor detail I had an issue with was the fact this vampire was called Edward, which kept reminding me of Edward Cullen from Twilight. They should have picked a different name but I suppose they didn’t think Twilighters would be watching this.

I wouldn’t exactly call this a horror- it is more of a supernatural drama with some gory scenes in places. It is not very jumpy and it does not have the atmosphere of a horror because the majority of the vampires act like human beings living their daily lives so they don’t seem scary. The vampires kill the humans like it is a chore because it is necessary for them to survive. The gory parts are rather disgusting, so be warned. The gore is a bit over the top especially for a film where you wouldn’t expect it to be that bad. You see limbs getting pulled off, vampires chewing their own flesh and the list goes on. Some of these scenes are not very realistic either.

I would say this film is unexpectedly pretty good. From the beginning, you think it will be quite depressing, bleak and dreary because it takes a while for it to get going, but if you stick it out until the end, I’m sure you will be satisfied with it. You probably won’t enjoy it, but it will be something to think about.