Joe Lipsett Queer.Horror.Movies. Sep 22, 2025 3.5/5

The film's climax is so lurid and operatic that it nearly punts the film into camp territory, but the story and world building is strong enough that the Spierig Brothers’ tendency to fall back on familiar tropes is forgivable.

Go to Full Review

Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Nov 20, 2023 3/4

As a vigorous reclamation of what vampire-genre movies should be, "Daybreakers" is, oh, positive.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Aug 25, 2023 3/4

Daybreakers proves Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig have the potential to become great genre filmmakers

Go to Full Review

Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Oct 25, 2022

There is a lot of talent wasted in epic effort for a pyrrhic end. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Bakari Simpson Call and Post (Cleveland) Jan 25, 2022

A perfectly seamless blend of sci-fi, horror and drama.

Go to Full Review

Richard Brody The New Yorker Oct 26, 2020

The conceit is worked out in whiz-bang diabolical detail... and brought to life with imaginative effects.

Go to Full Review

Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 5, 2020 2.5/4.0

A dark, stylish and brooding thriller.

Go to Full Review

Ed Travis Hollywood Jesus Apr 10, 2020

Amazingly, this horror/action hybrid does an effective job of wrestling with these deep questions through a fascinating vampire world.

Go to Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 7, 2019

Slick. Stylish. Creative. Original. Beyond cool. A new day has dawned in the genre with Daybreakers.

Go to Full Review

Nikki Baughan Roll Credits Oct 24, 2019 3.5/5

[Daybreakers'] attention to detail and narrative strength make it well worth a look for fans of the genre and beyond.

Go to Full Review

Brian Collins Birth.Movies.Death. Sep 12, 2019

The film offers a decent amount of action, the requisite creature FX an ambitious vampire narrative requires, and occasional vignettes that sell both the concept and the film's alternate reality.

Go to Full Review

Kate Rodger Newshub (NZ) Sep 11, 2019 3/5

A fairly fresh twist on the vampire genre.

Go to Full Review

Annalee Newitz io9.com May 25, 2018

Packs a punch on so many fronts - original story ideas, creatively gross fight scenes, acting that's hammy in a fun way - that you'll leave the theater feeling soundly entertained.

Go to Full Review

Shelagh Rowan-Legg That Shelf May 18, 2018

Michael and Peter Spierig have created a fascinating and chillingly believable possible future.

Go to Full Review

Monika Bartyzel Collider Apr 10, 2018

Campy laughs, serious storylines, scary creatures, blood, guts, and thrills - "Daybreakers" seems to have it all. And while it might not come together in a perfect package, it's most definitely a fun package.

Go to Full Review

James Rundle SciFiNow Sep 9, 2017 2/5

A supine memorial to missed opportunities and frustrating directorial choices.

Go to Full Review

Scott Weinberg TheHorrorShow Aug 26, 2015

A rock-solid afternoon matinee sort of movie, packed as it is with so many disparate genre influences. Confidently crafted and legitimately clever.

Go to Full Review

Laura Kern Film Comment Magazine Sep 24, 2014

A slick, violent, and intensely gloomy horror/action/sci-fi hybrid that stands out in a crowded field of end-of-mankind movie scenarios.

Go to Full Review

Steve Newton Georgia Straight Feb 15, 2013 2.5/5

Around here Daybreakers' clever streak runs out and the previously witty, refreshing film becomes a predictable action romp that's big on over-the-top gore but lacking in everything else.

Go to Full Review

Ali Gray TheShiznit.co.uk Sep 28, 2012 3/5

That Daybreakers biggest problem is that there isn't enough of it should tell you enough: watching it provides short-term entertainment, but like those voracious bloodsuckers, it'll just leave you wanting more.

Go to Full Review