Day Shift review: Netflix’s vampire movie has some of the year’s best action

like a movie red notification When man in gray While it looks like it’s becoming the norm for big-budget, action-oriented “Netflix originals,” the streaming giant’s recent offerings are frequently criticized for being little more than “algorithmic movies.” Netflix’s feature films are often homogenized four-quadrant content, specifically designed to get clicks based on a few recognizable stars, plus these massive There’s just enough CGI-laden thrills to distract the viewer from how bloated and uninspired nearly every aspect of the Netflix vampire-fighting action flick is. day shift It feels like the antithesis of that pattern.

Yes, it’s still designed with cross-genre appeal, complete up front with Jamie Foxx as the prerequisite big star. day shift‘s unique blend of action, comedy, and horror doesn’t feel like it was chosen with the intention of getting the widest possible audience. It’s reminiscent of a time when there were big releases with very specific off-kilter vibes that were likely aimed at a niche audience.Close to oddball cult classics like John Carpenter Little China’s Big Trouble More entertaining than other Netflix Originals. In a blockbuster landscape where all big-budget movies are beginning to feel frustratingly similar, day shift It stands out for its clear perspective, obvious boasting, and distinctly old-school approach.

Director JJ Perry can claim credit for these merits.While this is his first time fully directing a feature film, he’s no newcomer to delivering top-notch mayhem to the screen. His 30+ year career as a stunt performer and action coordinator is unmatched in Hollywood. So when the action design collective known as “87eleven” (the group behind the John Wick franchise, and many of the best action sequences in recent movies) decided to go ahead, day shift As the first fully branded 87eleven film project, the team reached out to longtime member of the group, Perry, to steer the ship.

In the interview, Perry came across as a throwback to the days when stuntmen were mostly California cowboys, bringing real white-knuckle hazards to the film set. and LA’s brilliance meet’ feeling is over day shiftThe story of Bud Jablonski (Fox), a blue-collar monster slayer. Bud masquerades as a low-rent San Fernando Valley pool cleaner to cover up his true occupation: killing vampires and selling their fangs to his local chapter of the International Coalition of Vampire Hunters. helps him earn a living and support his young daughter, but also happens to be incredibly dangerous. At his core, Bud is just a working shmo trying to get through the day, with a boss who wants to put him out of business, a partner he doesn’t want to deal with (Dave Franco), and an unforeseen complication that puts him at work. It’s difficult, like the elder vampire (Kara Souza) who plans to remake the valley into a new vampire hotspot.

The refreshingly low stakes and the way the mundane and the supernatural mix effortlessly here are just two ways to do it. day shift Savvy viewers will remember many video store staples of the 80’s and 90’s where this movie is clearly a love letter. lost boys, dead heatWhen night of terror All get separate homages, among other films. Some of these references are presented in subtle ways for the most dedicated movie geeks. Others roar and shout affectionately.

day shift However, neither live nor die by these references and homages. Those who haven’t seen the script or director-nodding old film will still find plenty of quality, nuanced worldbuilding to suggest where sequels (and spin-offs) could fit if there was the right demand. House Shay Hutten (Army of the Dead) and Tyler Tice handle this without falling into the all-too-common “save it for the sequel” mentality. This has brought many movie franchises to a halt before they really started.

Photo: Andrew Cooper/Netflix

Through world-building and heartfelt homage, Tice and Hatten never forget that action movies still need relatable characters. They have rooted their brute force procedures in the tried and tested “partners of disagreement” formula, which has largely fallen out of favor. They place Bud in the role of a familiar veteran forced to deal with Franco’s inexperienced pencil-pusher turned field agent Seth. Much of the film’s comedy comes from their pairing, the two men having an easy-going chemistry that helps make the jokes feel natural without being overly artful.

The script also takes time to give all of the film’s major players, even Kara Souza’s villainous vampire real estate broker, brief moments that humanize them. It helps to maintain the appeal of the film regardless of the circumstances.

Speaking of action, how day shift Explicitly marketed under the John Wick name, 87eleven’s team works extensively with its lead actors to make them look as competent on screen as they do veteran stunt performers who work alongside them. known to do (See the crowd-pleasing video for 2021’s “Bob Odenkirk Comes As Badass Assassin.” nobody A typical example. ) they work the same magic here. day shift Not only does it give Jamie Foxx plenty of moments slicing through dozens of supernatural villains and slashing them with a shotgun, but he’s also supporting cast members like Dave Franco and Snoop Dogg, earning new acclaim. It also gives them a chance to show off their action hero chops.

Perry’s sense of action has always been a little more freewheeling than his 87eleven colleagues, and it shows in his ways. day shift looks different from nobody Or a John Wick movie. His more eccentric impulses shine through in this film. day shift‘s action reflects that “tactical” Wick style, but the supernatural setting allows him to incorporate more exaggerated elements.This led to many action scenes like the daytime mob raid at a suburban vampire den (featuring a lengthy show plagiarism appearance by DTV action superstar Scott Adkins as Vamp his wrecker buddy). , “Meeting Sam Raimi blade In lucha libre wrestling battle royale.

Image: Netflix

The chaos of this setpiece feels like it comes from a director affectionately referred to by the stunt community as “Loco.” Best of all, none of the film’s intricate battle scenes, intense firefights, and wild car chases are obscured by poor editing or unnecessary CGI. Everything is clearly displayed and fine-tuned for maximum visual impact. A wonderful return to an era when the most valuable “movie magic” element of cinema was his performer of fearless stunts risking life and limb to capture the true thrill in front of the movie camera.

day shiftof A place on Netflix means there’s a lot of competition for viewers’ attention.The platform’s seemingly never-ending stream of content keeps new releases in the spotlight, constantly looking for the next movie or movie. Moving on to series. We also have to deal with the increasingly negative stigma surrounding recent Netflix original movies. Hopefully, these obstacles do not prevent potential viewers of the film from discovering it. day shift A treat for fans of the genre, and a perfect example of a rare, flavorful project Netflix should be investing in for the future.

day shift Currently streaming on Netflix.