Writer-directors and special effects artists Peter and Michael Spierig's gore-soaked shocker "Daybreakers" unfolds in a dystopian future where vampires constitute 95% of the world's population and most humans are imprisoned in factory farms, systematically drained of blood and discarded when their veins run dry.

Despite the futuristic setting, the vampires are strictly old-school: There are no sparkly skinned, undead heartthrobs mooning after moody teen girls and plenty of predatory monsters who like nothing more than sinking their fangs into a nice, warm throat. But while the setting is sleek and filled with clever details, the story, in which one good vampire teams with a scrappy band of free-range humans to fight the power, is timeworn and predictable.

The copious gore evidently appealed to hard-core horror buffs. The Lionsgate film earned $15 million during its first weekend, good enough for No. 4.

The year is 2019, 10 years after a plague swept the world and left it swarming with vampires. Ruthless businessmen like Charles Bromley have made a killing supplying blood to the thirsty masses. But demand is rapidly exceeding supply, and a growing population of "subsiders" -- blood-deprived vamps who've degenerated into scaly, winged beasts -- is scaring the hell out of civilized vampire citizens.

Amid growing civil unrest, principled scientist Edward Dalton has proof that vampirism can be cured. But can it be cured before the last living human is caught and sucked dry by increasingly desperate vampires?

The nightmarish future against which the Spierigs set their story is fully and effectively imagined, from the gray, glass-and-steel architecture that reflects the cold soullessness of vampires to the coffee bars where cups of java come with blood instead of milk and the corporate blood farm where naked, comatose people are suspended in metal frames and connected to tubes that extract their blood with dehumanizing efficiency.

The police round up homeless vampires like stray dogs, the military is filled with adrenaline-fueled thugs, and ordinary vampires, hooked on their creature comforts, are easily persuaded to set aside whatever consciences they have in the name of security.

But the story under this rich surface is simplistic and derivative: Its influences include Richard Matheson's novel "I Am Legend," written in 1954 and filmed three times to date; the 2006 movie "Ultraviolet"; and even Fritz Lang's 1927 "Metropolis," the pioneering sci-fi allegory about rapacious businessmen.

The Spierigs have assembled a strong cast, but even their best efforts -- notably by Neill, whose Bromley is the ultimate vampire squid, tentacles wrapped around the face of this scary new world -- can't pump any real life into the bloodless script.

Humans are the hunted minority in a near-future world populated by vampires in this intriguingly weird sci-fi/horror hybrid from the Spierig brothers. Principled vampire scientist Ethan Hawke creates a synthetic plasma substitute to ensure mankind's survival, although his boss (Sam Neill) is making a fortune out of harvesting blood at inflated prices. A pointed allegory on corporate greed, this clever revitalisation of the genre shows that the co-writer/directors have coolly and confidently delivered on the raw talent displayed in their debut zombie feature Undead. With beautiful Blade Runner-style cityscapes, smartly conceived takes on the vampire mythos (sun-proofed cars and video mirrors), inventively engineered shocks and copious blood loss, this is an engagingly skilful blend of John Carpenter, Bram Stoker and Philip K Dick. Hawke is terrific — Before Sunrise now takes on a whole new meaning — while Willem Dafoe ramps up the fun factor as a Van Helsing-type with a big secret

I liked the movie especially cauz of the way that vampires a presented on film rightnow. they are romaticizing them too much. finally got to c some blood and gore coupled with a good story. I don’t know what R.J. Sayer is talking about “disappointing execution of a provocative premise”. really? then I guest real horror/thriller movies are too immature for the thoughtfull romances of today there is no place for the Spierig and charles band these days

i am sure glade i burned this movie and dident what to buy it cause it would have been a mistake this movie sucks good ideas but sucked over all 1.5/5. but cant waite for the book of eli and legion to have a good copy and the edge of darkness

I watch version 2 from 2waffles.com, it was in twp parts, and you had to buffer it a bit on both 1 and 2. Aside from that, it just wasn't a very good movie. It was completely formula, from the beginning to the end, no surprises at all. It has the evil CEO vampire, and the good and evil brothers, and of course at the end the evil brother sees the light in the end and comes to the rescue at the cost of his own life. As I, said, no surprises.

Great concept. but horrible ending. It feels so rushed! But it doesnt matter cause I still liked it. Alot of blood and some crazy things happened that I didnt expect. Just see it for the vampires and story line, because its actually not that bad. I give it a 3/5 stars...for GOOD.

no doubt, after interview with the vampire, is my favorite movie on this subject. very different from the rest of which are already known. Ethan Hawke does a great job, as usual, like Defoe. But I believe that the story moves very quickly and I would have liked to see a little more of this world where vampires reign.

Great movie! For the people that enjoy movie's that you don't know what is going to happen next. Not a great movie for people that want to see lots of vampires getting killed. Only a couple scenes with vampires being killed. Over all id give it a 4/5, Great.

This was really good, I was surprised how much i enjoyed it. Lots of blood spewing from neck wounds, vampires exploding, Sam Neil being a total a a hole. does anyone play a better a hole than this guy? He really made my skin crawl. Check this out, it's not to gory has good action and a good story.