Four-time Academy Award® nominee Ethan Hawke stars as Edward Dalton, a scientist-researcher in the midst of a global plague that has transformed most of the human population into vampires. As the ferocious Vampire Army clamors to harvest the remaining humans’ blood, Dalton reluctantly works to engineer a blood substitute for the largest supplier of blood, run by Charles Bromley (Sam Neill). When Edward encounters Cormac (Willem Dafoe), a human cured of vampirism, they team up with a group of rebel vampires to try to save humanity in this 15th-anniversary edition of the stylish and intense sci-fi action-thriller.

For thoughts on Daybreakers, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

The 15th anniversary 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Daybreakers from the Lionsgate Limited line comes in its original 2.40:1 in 2160p with Dolby Vision. The film was first released on 4K UHD Blu-Ray in 2019, a release which we have not viewed, but we know there was a lot of debate regarding the overall quality. This new 4K UHD Blu-Ray is not the exact same disc that was released previously thanks to new special features, but, beyond that, we are not certain if the new transfer is meaningfully different. A new 4K UHD release just debuted from Umbrella overseas with a new transfer overseen by the directors. This new Lionsgate Limited release ports over many of the new special features from that release, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the newer transfer is used here, as well. This release does not come with an accompanying Blu-Ray to make comparisons, which may also be a drawback for some viewers.

No matter the case, there are still elements that make this one of the weaker titles on the format. The most meaningful improvement appears to be the implementation of Dolby Vision. This is not the most overly colorful, which is not surprising given it’s a story about vampires. Still, the color palette appears to be dialed into its most pleasing form. There are valuable signs of deep saturation within the daytime elements and some of the lighting elements. The film impresses even more in the deep black levels that avoid major crush or banding. The highlights in the film push quite hot at points, but they typically stay firmly defined with whites pure and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. This disc avoids all major encoding shortcomings such as compression artifacts.

The transfer reveals an increase in the depth of field in the various locations that we visit around the city. And, while the colors may be more complex, there isn’t necessarily more texture and fine detail at play like you might normally expect with a 4K UHD upgrade. There are details within the production design and costumes to observe, but this is not an extremely crisp presentation. The grain from the filmout presentation can be a bit problematic with some instances of unnatural swarming in a few instances. This, coupled with some lingering print damage in a few shots, feels like a bit of a step back for the format. Close-ups of skin and makeup effects are not always as clear as you want, either. There are definite benefits to this 4K upgrade, but it is not the pinnacle of the format. Those with the previous 4K UHD Blu-Ray will likely be swayed more by the supplemental upgrade rather than the video side of things.

Audio Quality

This disc comes equipped with an exquisite Dolby Atmos presentation that comes alive to conjure all of the thrills and chills with a vengeance. The arc of this story allows a lot of room for complex sonic sequences, and every scene gives your system a workout. The utilization of the height channels makes this one notably immersive. The overhead channels are especially welcome during some of the attack scenes in a way that makes it feel more visceral. Sounds are deftly rendered with pinpoint directionality from the more kinetic confrontations to interpersonal moments of dialogue.

Dialogue is presented clearly without ever being overshadowed by any of the parallel sonic elements. The gunfire and crashes provide an all-encompassing soundscape that kicks in throughout all the speakers. Ambient details are plentiful and quite satisfying in the rear and overhead channels. The score envelopes the room in a complementary manner that transports you into this world. The low end is very active in a way that will have the room shaking. The mix is one of the best parts of the presentation. Optional English, English SDH, and Spanish subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Lionsgate has provided Daybreakers with a sleek new lenticular SteelBook that is truly lovely in person. Video of the Steelbook can be found at the top of this review.

Building the World of Daybreakers: A 16-minute piece in which the directors discuss developing the idea for the story, creating the “near future” of the narrative, establishing their own vampire lore, leaning on science within their art, and more.

Art and Craft – The Actors of Daybreakers: A 12-minute featurette in which the directors discuss the casting of the film, securing Ethan Hawke for the lead, the terror of the table read, the input from the performers that helped shape the film, the qualities of the characters, and more.

Gag Reel: A two-minute collection of flubbed lines, goofing around, malfunctioning props, and more.

Art Department and Lighting Tests (1:32)

Costume, Hair and Make-up Tests (9:05)

First Subsider Test (9:01)

Make-up Effects Tapes (8:32)

Stunt Department: A seven-minute look at the stunt department working with the performers to plan out various stunts.

On the Set of Daybreakers: A nearly 45-minute video diary from the directors in which you get a behind-the-scenes look at the production.

Legacy Special Features

- Audio Commentary: Co-DIrectors The Spierig Brothers and Creature Designer Steve Boyle provide a commentary track in which they take you scene by scene detailing some of the different elements that had to come together during production to create this film.

- Making of Daybreakers: An extensive two-hour documentary that details the creation of the film from the initial development through production and release. There is a vast array of interviews with the cast and crew that delve into the shooting of the stunts, the rendering of the special effects, the scoring of the film and much more. It is difficult to imagine that any questions you have about the film would not be covered in this deep dive.

- The Big Picture – Directors’ Short Film: A 14-minute short film from the Spierig Brothers.

- Poster Art Gallery (0:37)

- Theatrical Trailer (2:27)

Final Thoughts

Daybreakers is a fairly unique take on a vampire tale as it aims to explore themes of greed, class dynamics, scientific ambition, and more. The Spierig Brothers are very adept at creating a world that feels fully realized and unique from things that have come before. This, coupled with some exceptional performances from veterans like Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe, makes up for some of the more rudimentary elements of the screenplay. It is not a classic of the genre, but it deserves more recognition than it has generally received. Lionsgate Home Entertainment has released the 4K UHD Blu-Ray in a fetching SteelBook package that collectors will love. The disc is somewhat inconsistent in the video department, but the audio presentation is stellar, and the new and archival special features are very in-depth. If you are a fan of the film, this is a solid release overall. Recommended

Daybreakers is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray in Limited Edition 15th Anniversary Steelbook Packaging through Lionsgate Limited.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Lionsgate Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.