Daybreakers

| 2009

Directed by: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig

Main Plot

In "Daybreakers," directed by Michael and Peter Spierig, the year is 2019, and a plague has transformed most of the human population into vampires. With humans nearly extinct, the vampires face a dire blood shortage, threatening their survival. Edward Dalton, a vampire hematologist, works to develop a blood substitute. During his quest, he encounters a group of human survivors who have discovered a potential cure for vampirism. As Edward becomes entangled with the humans, he must navigate a dangerous path, balancing his vampire identity with his growing empathy for the human cause. The film explores themes of survival, ethics, and the consequences of a society driven by consumption.

Characters

  • Ethan Hawke plays Edward Dalton, a vampire hematologist seeking a blood substitute to save humanity from extinction in a dystopian future dominated by vampires.
  • Elvis Cormac, played by Willem Dafoe, is a former vampire who becomes human again and helps find a cure to save humanity.
  • Sam Neill plays Charles Bromley, a powerful vampire CEO who profits from the blood shortage crisis and opposes efforts to find a cure for vampirism.

Ending Explained

In the movie "Daybreakers," directed by Michael and Peter Spierig, the conclusion centers around the resolution of the vampire-dominated dystopian world. The protagonist, Edward Dalton, a vampire hematologist, discovers a cure for vampirism with the help of a former vampire, Lionel "Elvis" Cormac. The cure involves exposing vampires to brief, controlled sunlight, which reverts them back to their human state. In the climax, Edward and his allies, including his human brother Frankie, confront Charles Bromley, the head of a powerful vampire corporation. During the confrontation, Frankie sacrifices himself by drinking Edward's cured blood, turning back into a human and subsequently being attacked by other vampires. This attack inadvertently spreads the cure among the vampires, as feeding on a cured human also reverts them. The film concludes with the implication that the cure will spread, potentially saving humanity from extinction. The final scenes show Edward and his human allies driving away, hopeful for the future as the dawn of a new era begins, symbolizing the end of the vampire plague and the restoration of humanity.

Michael Spierig Peter Spierig Action Horror Sci-Fi Ethan Hawke Willem Dafoe Sam Neill