FAQ

In 2019, vampires rule, less than 5% of the human population remains (viz. a third of a billion people), and vampires are starving. Doctor Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke), vampire and hematologist, is desperately searching for a blood substitute, made particularly imperative because vampires deprived of human blood are devolving into "subsiders," bloodthirsty bat-like creatures who will feed on anything—human, vampire, or even themselves. Edward, who refuses to drink human blood, begins to make the transformation into a subsider. When he runs into a small group of humans led by Audrey Bennett (Claudia Karvan) and is introduced to Lionel "Elvis" Cormac (Willem Dafoe), an ex-vampire who has cured himself, Edward attempts the cure thinking that he can offer it to other vampires. Unfortunately, some vampires, such as Charles Bromley (Sam Neill), owner of Marks Blood Harvesting Pharmaceutical Company, don't share his vision.

Daybreakers is based on an original screenplay by Australian brothers/directors Michael and Peter Spierig.

This movie follows the traditional vampire attributes including vampire fangs, no reflection in mirrors, extreme photosensitivity to UV light, different looking eyes, a wooden stake to the heart and beheading to be killed, pale skin, low body temperature, immortality, and no heartbeat. In response to some of these non-human traits many cities have developed an elaborate system of underground walkways called "subwalks" allowing vampires to move about in the daylight. Also school, work, and other standard daytime businesses and activities now occur at night; public service announcements alert people of the approaching daylight; and cars may be modified to include, or be purchased with, blacked out windows and cameras allowing for daytime travel. Humans are also captured and kept restrained and unconscious by various companies who in turn sell their extracted blood for food. Due to critical shortages, much of the blood is mixed in limited amounts with other substances such as coffee. This suggests that while the vampires need blood to survive, they may take some nourishment or simply still enjoy the taste from normal food and beverages.

The movie begins ten years after most of the population have already become vampires so the source of the disease is not a main plot point or even fully addressed. However a news story shown in passing at the beginning of the movie had the title/headline: "How a Single Bat Started It All." This suggests that the disease initially was one of an animal origin but quickly spread alongside vampires who were biting humans for sustenance. We also see large bats flying about during the daytime several times throughout the movie which is certainly out of the norm. This is a sign that the disease remains in bats and has affected them in various ways as well; such as larger size, more aggressive behavior, etc. As far as how it was possible that most people became vampires, the disease must have occurred in such a rapid pace that the military and medical communities were unable to contain it. It is mentioned that as humans became the minority they were offered the choice to convert, but those who refused to do so were forced into hiding.

It requires being subjected to sunlight for a short period of time. In Elvis' case, he was ejected from a car, tossed through the sunlight, and landed in the water. The short exposure, coupled with the rapid cooling, apparently cured Elvis of his vampirism. In Edward's case, he stands in a wine fermentation tank and is exposed to sunlight while wearing robes soaked in water. Later in the movie, it's discovered that feeding on a former vampire is also a cure for vampirism.

Having discovered that feeding on a former vampire is another cure for vampirism, Edward gives himself up to Charles...with a plan. He goads Charles into turning him back into a vampire. When Charles drinks Ed's blood, he is turned back into human but not before he summons the vampire patrol. Before the patrol arrive, Ed ties Charles to a chair and seats him in the elevator. When the patrol arrives, out of desperate hunger, they leap on Charles and start feeding. Meanwhile, Ed rescues Audrey, and they rejoin Elvis and Ed's brother Frankie (Michael Dorman). Before they can get away, however, they are surrounded by a large vampire patrol. Frankie orders Ed to run, while he stays behind and allows the vampires to feed on him. When those vampires turn human, more vampires move in to feed on them, until only humans are left. Suddenly, Chris (Vince Colosimo) appears and machine guns all the remaining humans. "There can't be a cure," he tells Ed. Before Chris can kill Ed, however, Elvis shoots a crossbow through his heart, and Chris explodes. In the final scene, Elvis, Ed, and Audrey speed off in Elvis' car. In a voiceover, Ed says, "We have a cure. We can change you back. It's not too late."