Based on their inside look and trailer we had pegged Netflix's recently released vampire film Day Shift as possibly enjoyable but in no danger of being excellent.

This is one of those rare and pleasant instances of a film exceeding its promos. However there is a catch.

Technically the film is close to flawless.

Writing, directing, performances, special effects.

All brilliant.

Some of its jokes could be better but overall its quality beats the pants off many recent cinema releases.

The catch?

While we are impressed by many of Netflix's achievements and innovations we're not entirely on board with their values, eg. the whole David Chappell and Ricky Gervais business.

And have wondered, if they allow this, what else will they allow?

Day Shift might be the answer.

We have remarked more than once that Snyder's Justice League and also Wonder Woman 1984 feel like failed attempts to revisit the storytelling styles of a former age.

Day Shift succeeds where they fail but is also unfortunately a throwback to the values of that former age.

Early in the film the stage is set - a dad separated from his wife and kid, and his mission is to raise enough money in time so that they don't need to move away.

So last century.

Setting the scene and tone of the remainder of the film perfectly.

The primary antagonist is female but nearly every other female is behind a desk or counter or a damsel to be rescued.

Even keeping the two main characters played by Jamie Foxx and Dave Franco male, there are plenty of other characters they could have gender flipped to provide balance.

Performance

Straight to number 1 position in Top 10 English speaking films with 56.5 million hours watched in its first week.

That's solid.

Rotten Tomatoes?

Critics 56% / viewers 64%.

Unsurprising and also probably largely irrelevant.

Netflix subscribers don't have to pay to see this and are more likely to just press play rather than consult reviews before watching.

There was lots of good world-building in the film and we wouldn't be surprised if a sequel and or series follow.

Should more life be breathed into this fledgling undead franchise we can only hope that its next entry will have better gender representation.

Day Shift is streaming now on Netflix.

[ Main Image: Day Shift - Dave Franco and Jamie Foxx. Credit: Netflix via IMDb.com. ]

References

Netflix. Netflix Top 10 Films (English) August 14 - August 20.

Rotten Tomatoes. Day Shift. (viewed August 21, 2022)