Day Shift

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Dave Franco, Snoop Dogg, Meagan Good, Karla Souza, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Zion Broadnax, Scott Adkins. Steve Howey

Director: J.J. Perry

After dispatching a particularly nasty older vampire, hunter Bud (Foxx) is dismayed to discover his ex Jocelyn (Good) is going to move to Florida with their daughter Paige (Broadnax) unless he can come up with their school tuition money in the next seven days. Though he can still sell the fangs he has collected at a discounted price, the real money is given to members of the Hunter's Union. Unfortunately for Bud, he was kicked out of the Union for violating too many codes. After getting help from his friend and fellow hunter Big John (Dogg) he is readmitted but with the stipulation that Seth (Franco) be allowed to follow along with him to make sure he doesn't violate any more codes. After he reluctantly agrees, he and Seth soon discover a hive of vampires that have a connection to local real estate magnate Audrey (Souza). Audrey, as it turns out, is very interested in finding out who attacked the elderly vampire and is hunting for Bud. After realizing his family is in jeopardy, Bud, Seth, and Bud's curious new neighbor Heather (Bordizzo) must find out what Audrey is up to and stop her at all costs.

Netflix really is throwing everything they can against a wall and seeing what sticks. They tried their hand at fantasy action in 2017's Bright with mixed results. Despite the reception, a sequel was quickly green lit but now with two problematic names (Will Smith and Max Landis) hovering over the project, it seems less likely we will see that progress any further. Enter Day Shift, which replaces the Orcs and creatures from that film with vampires.

I thought that genre subset had been staked to death but clearly the blood-sucking creatures can still see a little daylight. Although the action isn't very groundbreaking, which is somewhat disappointing considering a producer on the film is John Wick director Chad Stahelski, it still keeps the film from completely sinking into mediocrity. The film opens with a fun and acrobatic action scene of Bud taking out the elderly vampire. It sets the tone quickly for the film and even gives us a kill that would make Blade chuckle in appreciation. There is also a fun set piece at a vampire hive where Bud is joined by a rival vampire hunting team of brothers played by Scott Adkins and Steve Howey. There are some creative and gory kills punctuated by a good dose of humor. It's unfortunate the brothers never return because the film never quite recovers after their brief appearance.

Ultimately, the film suffers in the story department, with ideas and setups not feeling as fleshed out as they should. This is most evident with the villain, Audrey. Not only is Karla Souza miscast, but her ultimate plan is also kind of glossed over and explained in a throwaway manner by a secondary character. Bud doesn't really do much investigating. Instead, she is the one tracking Bud. This in turn doesn't really give the audience a proactive main character. Bud is just searching for vampires to kill so he can get money and the actual plot, which when you think about it is actually kinda genius in a funny way, happens around him.

Jamie Foxx does everything he can to keep the movie interesting. Bud is likable and we are rooting for him to keep his family. Dave Franco is good and has a good rapport with Foxx, but there is an abrupt twist with his character that neither we or his character have time to really process. Again, it's a good idea but not completely fleshed out. Continuing this trend is poor Natasha Liu Bordizzo, who honestly could have been cut from the film completely and wouldn't have made a difference. She's not necessarily bad in the role but its inclusion feels extraneous and tacked on without a lot of thought.

Although the movie is breezy entertainment led by a charismatic Jamie Foxx, those looking for a little more substance will be left disappointed

Grade: C+

Day Shift is available on Netflix