Daybreakers
A vampire hematologist discovers a cure for vampirism.
Daybreakers, a 2009 dystopian science-fiction action-horror vampire film, was written and directed by the sibling duo Michael and Peter Spierig. The story unfolds in a future where vampires dominate the world, and a vampiric corporation is hunting down and farming the last humans while trying to develop a synthetic blood substitute. The main character, vampire hematologist Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke), finds his research disrupted when he meets human survivors guided by a former vampire named Elvis (Willem Dafoe), who carries a cure that could restore the human race.
- Budget
- $20 million
Lore & Background
In the year 2019, a global plague caused by an infected vampire bat has transformed most of the world's human population into immortal vampires. With the human population dwindling, vampires face a severe blood shortage; those deprived of blood degenerate into bestial monsters called 'subsiders'. Sunlight is deadly to vampires, so they are active at night and use underground passages and UV-filtered cars for daytime travel. Humans are captured and kept alive for their blood while scientists search for a synthetic substitute. Edward Dalton, head hematologist for Bromley Marks, works with colleague Christopher Caruso to develop a blood substitute, tested on soldiers in the vampiric national army. CEO Charles Bromley watches these tests eagerly, planning to sell the substitute to most people while keeping pure human blood for himself and other wealthy vampires.
Reader's Guide
Daybreakers premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2009 and was released in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2010 and in North America on 8 January 2010. It grossed over $50 million worldwide from a $20 million budget and received mixed-to-positive critical reception. The film explores themes of corporate greed, survival, and the ethics of scientific research in a dystopian setting. Its significance lies in its unique take on vampire mythology, blending horror with social commentary on resource scarcity and class division. The cure for vampirism—discovered through a precise exposure to sunlight—offers a hopeful resolution, though the film's legacy is as a cult favorite among genre fans.
Did You Know?
- The film was written and directed by Michael and Peter Spierig, who also directed Undead (2003).
- Ethan Hawke was initially hesitant to join the production as he was 'not a big fan of genre pictures.'
- Willem Dafoe's character Elvis was cured of vampirism when a car crash ejected him into sunlight and he fell into a river.
- The production budget was $20 million, with the State Government contributing $1 million.
More in Adventure horror films 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record