Daylight's End

Daylight's End 2016

Directed by

William Kaufman

William Kaufman

Made by

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Daylight's End (2016). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Lone drifter Rourke (Johnny Strong) arrives at an isolated gas station in a car outfitted with makeshift armor. As he explores his surroundings, he stumbles upon an open deep freezer that emits growls from within. Quickly locking it, he attaches one end of a chain to the freezer and the other to his vehicle. With some effort, he drags the container out, only to shoot the lock open upon exiting. A female creature spills out, screaming as sunlight scalds her, leaving Rourke frozen in place before he drives away.

In his quest for survival, Rourke finds himself in a desolate city, wandering on foot. His journey leads him to a massive building filled with lifeless bodies. As he cautiously navigates through the eerie space, he mistakenly fires at what he thinks is a lurking threat, only to discover it’s just a corpse—a trap set for the unsuspecting. Suddenly, creatures swarm him from all sides, forcing him to flee to a sunlit rooftop. There, shirtless and focused, he marks several notches into his rifle, tallying his kills. The distant sound of a woman singing, accompanied by police sirens, momentarily distracts him.

Sam (Chelsea Edmundson) and her group of scouts emerge from a police vehicle, intrigued by the song. However, tragedy strikes when Mike is killed by marauders. During the ensuing chaos, Sam finds herself outnumbered and without ammunition. Just as the marauders close in, intending to take what they want by force, Rourke arrives in the nick of time. He engages the attackers, leaving all but their leader injured. The defeated marauder begs for mercy and tries to negotiate, revealing his origins from Austin, a place where he claims the girl was treated with respect. Rourke, driven by purpose, dismisses him and continues on his path.

As Rourke and the survivors reach the city of Dallas, the setting sun signals peril. In haste, they navigate through the looming darkness while creatures prepare to emerge. Sam utilizes her radio to reach Ethan (Louis Mandylor), who rallies fellow officers at the police station to prepare for an onslaught. They manage to secure cover fire for Rourke, who notices a familiar face among the vampiric monstrosities outside. Just as he considers reentering the fray, Sam recounts the recent loss of her scouting team to marauders, praising Rourke for his timely intervention.

As they establish a makeshift camp, Frank (Lance Henriksen), the station’s commander, grows suspicious of Rourke’s intentions, demanding he relinquishes his weapons. Tensions escalate when revelations come to light regarding a cargo plane found at Fair Creek, prompting the group to devise a daring escape route. In this faction-ridden setup, Rourke’s past surfaces—he’s journeyed all the way from the Bronx to Texas while systematically hunting the creatures that have shattered society.

Night descends; amid shadows and anxiety, Sam shares her personal agony. She lost her fiancé, Evan, during the plague, a transformation that left a scar on her heart. Rourke, recognizing the mark of loss in her words, vows to retrieve what was taken from him—a past that haunts him, represented by a scar that reads ‘Katie’. Their fates intertwine further when a creature infiltrates the station, leading Rourke to break free from his cell, proving to be an invaluable asset during the ensuing madness.

As the story unfolds, Rourke’s group confronts more daunting threats and tragic losses. Sam and the others fight to maintain hope while searching for escape routes. When the impending doom becomes palpable, Rourke strategizes to eliminate the Alpha, the formidable leader of the creatures. With the remaining group split between seeking resources and engaging the enemy, they embark on a perilous mission to the hotel housing these monsters.

In a dramatic climax involving calculated risks and personal revelations, bonds are forged through adversity. Sacrifices are made, and just when it seems hope may vanish, Rourke confronts the Alpha in a climactic battle beneath the tainted skies. Upon vanquishing the creature, Rourke gazes into the distance, where Sam and the surviving civilians emerge from a bus, symbolizing an ember of resilience in a dangerously decimated world.

At last, as Sam proposes that he accompany them on their journey to safety, Rourke weighs the possibilities. Understanding that many dangers still lurk beyond, he assures her to “Hang on to that hope, Sam,” before taking a path separate from hers—each step forward a testament to survival in an unforgiving landscape.

Timeline

Track the key events of Daylight's End (2016) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Rourke's Arrival

Lone drifter Rourke arrives at an isolated gas station, equipped with a makeshift armored car. His first exploration reveals the strange sounds of a deep freezer which leads him to discover a hidden threat within.

Gas Station

The Unleashing

After dragging the locked deep freezer out, Rourke shoots it open, only to be confronted by a female creature. As she spills out, the sunlight scalds her, causing Rourke to freeze in shock before he makes his escape.

Gas Station

Journey Through the Desolate City

Venturing on foot, Rourke wanders into a city filled with lifeless bodies, marking a stark reminder of the devastation around him. He mistakenly fires his weapon, only to discover the remains of a trap hidden among the corpses.

Desolate City

Overrun by Creatures

As Rourke navigates the eerie space, he is suddenly overwhelmed by creatures. In a desperate bid for survival, he flees to a sunlit rooftop where he takes a moment to regain focus and marks his kills on his rifle.

Rooftop

Sam and Her Scouts

Meanwhile, Sam and her group of scouts emerge from a police vehicle, lured by the distant sound of singing. This moment of intrigue quickly turns tragic as they are ambushed by marauders and lose one of their own, Mike.

City Streets

Rourke to the Rescue

Just as Sam finds herself surrounded and outnumbered, Rourke arrives to help. He engages the marauders, leaving only their leader injured, who attempts to negotiate for mercy by mentioning a better treatment of girls in Austin.

City Streets

Arrival in Dallas

Rourke and the survivors arrive in Dallas as the sun sets, signaling imminent danger. Their days of safety are crucially threatened as they must navigate through the emerging darkness.

Dallas

Communication and Strategy

Sam uses her radio to reach out to Ethan, who mobilizes police officers to prepare for the impending onslaught. The group quickly devises cover fire strategies for Rourke to fend off lurking threats outside.

Police Station

Suspicion Arises

As they set up a makeshift camp, tensions rise when Frank, the station commander, grows suspicious of Rourke's motives. This leads to revelations about a cargo plane found at Fair Creek and discussions of escape routes.

Makeshift Camp

Sharing Personal Losses

As night falls, Sam shares her heartbreak over losing her fiancé, Evan, during the plague. Rourke relates to her grief, revealing his own haunting past and the scar 'Katie' that symbolizes his loss.

Makeshift Camp

Creature Infiltration

Amidst the rising tension, a creature infiltrates their station, causing chaos. Rourke acts instinctively, breaking free from his confinement to assist in fending off the attack, showcasing his desperate determination.

Station

Planning the Mission

As the threat looms larger, Rourke takes charge to devise a plan to eliminate the Alpha, the creature's formidable leader. The group splits, with some gathering resources while others prepare for confrontation.

City

Confrontation with the Alpha

In a dramatic climax, Rourke engages in a fierce battle with the Alpha, showcasing the group’s sacrifices and struggles. As they grapple with the formidable adversary, unity emerges as a central theme.

City

Emergence of Hope

After a fierce battle, Rourke successfully defeats the Alpha, marking a pivotal victory in their struggle. As he looks on, Sam and the surviving civilians arrive in a bus—an emblem of resilience amidst destruction.

City

Parting Ways

As Sam invites Rourke to join her and the survivors, he contemplates the dangers that still persist. Opting for a path of solitude, he offers her a hopeful message, reminding her to 'Hang on to that hope' as they part ways.

City

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Daylight's End (2016) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Rourke (Johnny Strong)

Rourke is a lone drifter shaped by loss and hardship, navigating an apocalyptic world with a rugged determination. His resourcefulness is evident as he adapts to dangers while maintaining a fierce commitment to protect those who remain. Haunted by the echoes of his past, he serves as a reluctant hero, embodying resilience amid chaos.

🌍 Survivor ⚔️ Heroic 🏴‍☠️ Lone Wolf

Sam (Chelsea Edmundson)

Sam emerges as a strong, resourceful leader within her group, dealing with personal loss while fighting for survival. Her emotional depth reveals a vulnerable side, especially when reflecting on her fiancé's fate. Sam's determination to uphold hope and guide her team through perilous situations shows her innate strength and resilience.

🤝 Leader 💪 Resilient 💔 Grieving

Ethan (Louis Mandylor)

Ethan acts as a pivotal figure in rallying the police to defend against the creature threats, showcasing leadership and duty. His quick-thinking and resolve in the face of danger elevate him to a position of trust among the survivors. Understanding the importance of collaboration, he works to fortify their defenses while maintaining hope.

👮‍♂️ Defender ⚡ Resourceful 🛡️ Supportive

Frank (Lance Henriksen)

Frank is the commanding figure at the station, cautious and suspicious of newcomers like Rourke. His protective instincts for his group often put him at odds with Rourke, reflecting the tension that arises during times of survival. Beneath his hard exterior lies a desire to safeguard those he leads amidst the chaos.

👔 Commander 🔍 Cautious 🚨 Protective

Setting

Uncover the settings of Daylight's End (2016), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

Post-apocalyptic future

Set in a post-apocalyptic future marked by devastation and survival struggles, this time period reflects a world irretrievably changed by plague and monstrous threats. Humanity grapples with loss and desperation, as characters navigate a landscape filled with danger and haunting memories of a once-thriving society.

Location

Dallas, Bronx, Fair Creek

The movie traverses several key locations, notably Dallas, a city rife with chaos and danger as creatures roam its shadowy streets. The Bronx, where Rourke's journey begins, serves as a distant reminder of a world long lost to chaos. Fair Creek, mentioned in connection with a mysterious cargo plane, adds an element of intrigue to the perilous landscape.

🏙️ City 🏞️ Landscape 🚧 Danger

Themes

Explore the core themes of Daylight's End (2016). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🗡️

Survival

Survival is the central theme of the film, illustrating the lengths to which individuals will go to fend off death in a hostile world. Rourke embodies resilience as he battles creatures and protects others, showcasing a relentless will to succeed against overwhelming odds. The group dynamic further emphasizes collective survival as they unite against threats.

💔

Loss

The theme of loss permeates the narrative as characters deal with the aftermath of personal tragedy. Sam's grief over her lost fiancé symbolizes the emotional scars borne from the plague's devastation. Rourke's search for redemption is intricately linked to the ghosts of his past, making the journey both a physical and emotional struggle.

🛡️

Redemption

Redemption plays a crucial role in Rourke’s journey, as he seeks to reconcile his haunted past with his current fight for survival. His encounters with Sam and her group allow him to find purpose amid chaos, motivating him to protect others. The theme highlights how characters can evolve and emerge stronger from their traumas.

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