Daybreakers (2009)

Last updated:
June 4, 2025

Daybreakers is a 2009 dystopian science fiction horror film directed by the Spierig Brothers. Set in a bleak future where vampires rule and humans are nearly extinct, the movie combines elements of thriller, action, and body horror. With an inventive take on the vampire mythos and a distinct visual style, Daybreakers stands out as a cerebral yet bloody genre piece.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The World of 2019: Vampires in Charge

The story takes place in the year 2019, where a viral outbreak has transformed most of the human population into vampires. These vampires live structured, corporate lives—complete with jobs, social order, and government. Humanity, now hunted, is on the verge of extinction, and with it, the vampire’s food supply: fresh human blood.

Blood shortages are causing social unrest and severe side effects. Vampires who feed on insufficient or non-human blood mutate into feral, bat-like creatures called “subsiders.” The ruling class tries to maintain order while scientists race to find a substitute.

Enter Edward Dalton: The Ethical Vampire

Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke) is a hematologist working for a pharmaceutical corporation run by Charles Bromley (Sam Neill). Edward is secretly sympathetic to humans and disturbed by the cruelty of his vampire peers. He’s also leading the research to develop a blood substitute, though progress is slow and dangerous.

Edward’s world shifts when he meets a group of human survivors, led by Audrey (Claudia Karvan), who are protecting a man named Lionel “Elvis” Cormac (Willem Dafoe). Elvis is a former vampire who was miraculously turned back into a human after a freak accident involving sunlight and water immersion.

A Cure for Vampirism

Audrey and Elvis convince Edward to help them replicate the cure. With Edward’s expertise and Elvis’s experience, they attempt to find a consistent and safe method to reverse vampirism. Meanwhile, Bromley and his corporate thugs discover Edward’s betrayal and begin hunting him and the human resistance.

The Resistance and Bromley’s Ambition

While Edward seeks a peaceful solution, Bromley represents corporate greed and vampiric elitism. He has no interest in curing vampirism—he wants to maintain dominance and profitability by keeping humans farmed like cattle. Even Bromley’s own daughter, still human, becomes one of the hunted.

This ideological conflict drives the second half of the movie, mixing action with philosophical undertones about power, ethics, and survival.

Movie Ending

Edward and Elvis successfully discover that a cured former-vampire’s blood can be used to cure others through ingestion—essentially causing a chain reaction. They capture Christopher, Bromley’s right-hand man, and forcibly cure him. Then they allow him to be torn apart by starving vampires, which results in those vampires consuming his cured blood and themselves turning human.

In a climactic sequence, Edward confronts Bromley, who has turned into a monstrous version of a vampire. After a brutal showdown, Edward, with help from Audrey and Elvis, defeats Bromley. They then allow other starving vampires to feed on Bromley’s now-human corpse, continuing the chain of cures.

In the final moments, Edward and Audrey look toward an uncertain but hopeful future—armed with the knowledge that vampirism can be reversed, but knowing the system won’t give up control easily.

It’s a dark yet optimistic ending. The cure exists. The resistance has momentum. But whether the vampire society at large will accept it remains an open question.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Daybreakers does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story is concluded, and there are no hidden epilogues or sequel setups.

Type of Movie

Daybreakers is a hybrid of genres:

Science Fiction
Horror
Action Thriller
Dystopian Drama

It’s stylishly shot and loaded with allegory—while still delivering the gore and suspense vampire fans crave.

Cast

Ethan Hawke as Edward Dalton
Willem Dafoe as Lionel “Elvis” Cormac
Sam Neill as Charles Bromley
Claudia Karvan as Audrey Bennett
Michael Dorman as Frankie Dalton
Isabel Lucas as Alison Bromley

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Christopher Gordon, who brings a haunting and atmospheric tone to the film. The music blends orchestral tension with sci-fi synths, enhancing both the horror and the emotional arcs of the story.

Filming Locations

The film was shot primarily in Queensland, Australia, including:

Brisbane: used for city exteriors, transformed into a cold, corporate vampire metropolis.
Gold Coast Studios: interior shots and visual effects sequences.

The architecture of Brisbane—with its glassy, modern look—contributed to the film’s sterile, futuristic tone. The clean lines and corporate aesthetics paralleled the lifelessness of vampire society.

Awards and Nominations

While Daybreakers didn’t sweep major awards, it did gain recognition:

Nominated: Best Science Fiction Film – Saturn Awards (2010)
Won: Best Horror Film – Screamfest Horror Film Festival (2009)

It’s been praised more in retrospect, especially for its unique twist on vampire lore.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The Spierig Brothers originally envisioned the movie as an indie horror flick, but it grew thanks to interest from A-list talent like Ethan Hawke and Sam Neill.
Willem Dafoe improvised several of Elvis’s lines, including his famous “Being human sucks, but I’d rather die a man than live as a monster.”
Over 1,000 liters of fake blood were used in filming.
Ethan Hawke reportedly took the role because he was intrigued by the film’s mix of science fiction and philosophy, not just its horror elements.

Inspirations and References

Influenced by classic vampire cinema (Nosferatu, The Hunger) but flips the trope: what happens when everyone is a vampire?
Visual and thematic nods to Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and Gattaca.
Social commentary is embedded: resource scarcity, corporate greed, and class inequality.
The name “Elvis” is a possible nod to Bubba Ho-Tep, another horror-comedy featuring a heroic Elvis.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no publicly known alternate endings, but some deleted scenes are included in the home release:

A longer version of Alison’s death scene, which originally explored more of her relationship with her father.
An extended sequence showing the breakdown of vampire society—riots, feeding frenzies, and street violence.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Daybreakers is not based on a book, but it has a strong literary tone. Its world feels like it could have been pulled from a dystopian novel. However, the screenplay is original, penned by the Spierig Brothers themselves.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The subway ambush where Edward and Audrey narrowly escape vampire commandos.
Elvis’s demonstration of the sunlight cure.
The high-rise feeding room full of emaciated, feral vampires—evoking horror and pity.
The final showdown between Edward and Bromley.

Iconic Quotes

“Being human sucks. But I’d rather die a man than live as a monster.” – Elvis
“There’s no future without blood.” – Charles Bromley
“We can’t just let the world burn. We have to try to save it.” – Edward

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The coffee shops serve “blood with 20% coffee,” a satirical nod to vampire gentrification.
Edward’s car is equipped with blackout mode and external video feeds—a clever detail that shows how vampires adapted to daily life.
The stock tickers in Bromley’s lab list the price of different blood types, as if they were commodities.

Trivia

Filmed on a modest $20 million budget but made back nearly triple worldwide.
The movie uses very little CGI—many vampire effects were done with makeup and practical stunts.
Ethan Hawke initially turned down the role, but reconsidered after reading the full script.
The original title of the script was The Last Blood.

Why Watch?

If you love:

Intelligent horror with social commentary
Unique takes on vampires
Slick dystopian visuals
Gore that serves a purpose, not just shock value

…then Daybreakers will satisfy. It’s a genre-bender that offers both thrills and ideas.

Director’s Other Movies

Undead (2003)
Predestination (2014)
Jigsaw (2017) – written by, not directed
Winchester (2018)

Daybreakers (2009)