Written by Hannah Bujold
Daybreak is a 2019 Netflix comedy-drama television show, which is set in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited only by children—presumably below the age of nineteen. Produced by writers Brad Payton and Aron Eli Coleite, Daybreak is derived from Brain Ralph’s comic series, and primarily regards the first-person narrative of Josh Wheeler—a Canadian seventeen-year-old, with a disconnected family, girlfriend issues, and a clear desire to be anti-social.
In a world on the verge of collapse, adults have been infected by biological nuclear weapons, disfigured into ‘ghoulies’ that are driven to basic primal urges, satiating themselves solely through flesh and blood and a whole ton of gore.
In order to survive the wasteland that remains of Los Angeles, Glendale, youths have regressed to clans—similar to the 1954 novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding—and, as a result, have turned against one another in a bid for power. With territories carved out for clans to tyrannise, the main tribes include The Golf Team, the Jocks, Disciples of Kardashia, The 4-H Club, The Stem Punks, The Game Overs, Cheermazons, and the newly formed Daybreakers.
Some of these clans are practical, striving merely for survival and not for dominion, such as ‘The 4-H Club’ whom staked territory to promote livestock and cultivate crops. However, others like ‘The Jocks’ aim to conquer — to lord over substantial regions and force smaller clans to produce tributes.
Josh Wheeler, played by Colin Ford, engages with the audience in what is known as ‘Breaking the Fourth Wall’. This is a film technique, where the actor communicates his particular narrative directly to the viewer, and at first, it was a bit cringy, but by the conclusion, it was greatly appreciated as it allowed deeper insight into the character’s motivations and backstory. Moreover, smaller additional monologue contributions from other leading characters were incorporated throughout the duration of the television show to increase dimensionality.
Josh Wheeler (Colin Ford)
Josh is the main character of Daybreak, a lone survivor born and raised in Canada. Armed with his trusty skateboard and a sword he wields rather terribly, Josh traverses the post-apocalyptic wasteland in search of his short-term girlfriend Sam Dean.
In his own words, the apocalypse is “the best thing that’s ever happened to [him]”, as it allows him to be the hero he never thought he would be, considering the number of times he was beaten up by jocks in school. It likewise provides him with the opportunity to prove himself worthy, in a way, to Sam, by finding and saving her.
Angelica Green (Alyvia Alyn Lind)
Angelica is a ten-year-old homeschooled genius; with absentee parents, a delusion for popularity and a profuse array of swearwords. Before the events of the apocalypse, Angelica wished to be the next big-time “gangsta” like Griselda Blanco, not like Rosalind Franklin as her parents clearly wanted. She even made this dream a reality, becoming ‘The Slime Queenpin of Glendale’ with her own home-brewed concoction of drugs infused in slime sold across numerous school campuses.
In summary, as a compulsive pyromaniac, Angelica may be ruthless in her actions and words, but her intentions are always honourable, especially when it concerns her newfound family, Josh and Wesley.
Samaira ‘Sam’ Dean (Sophie Simnet)
Sam Dean prior to the apocalypse was the universally loved, admired and perfect high school girl, with a reputation that went unmatched. She became internet famous — an influencer — overnight, with a video filmed by Josh showing Sam providing compliments to random mall shoppers in order to evoke positive responses. This not only makes Sam an online icon but an individual worthy of ‘Prom Queen’ at Glendale High School, with classmates often saying the phrase “everyone loves Sam”.
However, the audience’s perception of Sam is influenced by Josh Wheeler’s perspective, as he judges her to be a solely ‘good’ person, incapable of any misdeed. Moreover, Sam is situated upon a podium as the cliche “girl-next-door” and “damsel-in-distress”, the person Josh envisions as the love of his life. Josh’s vision is proved false although, after discovering Sam has had multiple sexual relations before him, causing him to call her derogatory names whilst in a fit of denial over his father’s sudden death — which is not okay.
But this does prove Sam is a multifaceted individual and thus differs from stereotypical portrayals of female leads. Plus, us as an audience do not truly know her, as she is only ever seen through the eyes of others, making the finale one of the few moments that the viewer actually sees Sam for who she truly is.
Wesley Fists (Austin Crute)
Wesley Fists is a former jock turned pacifist samurai, searching for redemption in the post-apocalypse wasteland. He proves himself devoted to eastern enlightenment and actions of non-violence even in the face of danger against ghoulies or clans. Thus, truly seeking atonement for his past transgressions.
Before the apocalypse, Wesley was engaged in a system that ostracised students beneath him in the social scheme — which mainly included Josh Wheeler. These actions were mostly for the favour of Turbo, someone Wesley developed a romantic relationship with, that he was determined to keep secret post-apocalypse.
Turbo Bro Jock (Cody Kearsley)
Turbo is a disillusioned jock, formerly a quarterback, who experiences abandonment issues as a result of his emotionally distant father, who was constantly travelling. This led to Turbo obtaining some psychopathic tendencies, especially those concerned with causing pain, as he appears to enjoy seeing blood and death in the initial episodes. Furthermore, Turbo sustained head trauma due to the apocalypse, with half his face burnt, leading to a lack of communication abilities that could also contribute to his anger issues.
After being overthrown by Sam Dean and Mona Lisa, Turbo and the recently kicked out Wesley Fists, were able to flourish in their relationship. With it appearing to remedy Turbo of some of his past unresolved turmoils and anger, with him even forgiving and following the leadership of Josh. Although, whilst he appears firmly on the Daybreaker’s side, Turbo can be unpredictable in his choices.
All in all though, Turbo would be a very interesting case for a psychologist.
Eli Cardashyan (Gregory Kasyan)
Eli is a no one — at least before the apocalypse. He is someone who wears off-brand clothing, buys cheap knock-offs and collects Magic the Gathering cards, all in order to attain some level of status at Glendale High. He was also one of the unfortunate punching bags for the jocks.
However, his social standing shifted drastically in the narrow time frame after the nuclear assault, as he fortified himself in the mall; setting rigged-traps, barricading entrances and imitating Baron Triumph to deter any visitors. And for a while, he was all alone with his imaginary companion Mavis. That was until he was forced to allow entrance to Josh, Wesley and Angelica.
Overall, Eli might be an uncharitable person (specifically when he sought to take back the mall, aka his ‘empire’), but his death was certainly disheartening, as he didn’t deserve to die. He was just trying to help out a friend and got stabbed for a simple case of misidentification.
Ms. Crumble (Krysta Rodriguez)
Ms Crumble is an adult suffering severe brain trauma as a result of Michael Burr pushing her down a flight of stairs during the bombing. However, she is no ordinary ghoulie, as the show might have you believe in the initial episodes of encountering her.
Firstly, she retains the ability to formulate words and sentences outside of the expected range, as ghoulies are only able to recite their last words. Secondly, she demonstrates a high aversion to eating children and fights this urge consistently, showing an extremely strong resolve.
But there are mutations that Ms Crumble has developed due to the biological warfare, as quoting “[the bombs have] a plasmid that transmits DNA and sequences genes”, with pulsating black holes residing on her back and movement occurring beneath her skin as if an organism lives there. This suggests that Crumble may be decaying or adapting to her conditions, but little is known.
Despite her shattered mind, although, Ms Crumble is a hope for future generations, as she is an adult that has somewhat survived the apocalypse. Plus, with her biological expertise and Angelica’s mind, they might be able to study her evolution and why the bombs only affected adults.
Michael Burr (Matthew Broderick)
Michael Burr, also known as Baron Triumph, was originally the high school principal of Glendale High. A man whom in his time sowed blossoms on the school campus as a motif for his enduring faith that pupils are much like flowers, to which it is his obligation to promote their growth. However, despite this, Michael is a corrupt individual; with taking brides and shifting grades to be a couple of his daily routines.
His perspective of his students, although, altered with the coming of the apocalypse as he recognized the pupils under his care treated others horribly and the genocide did nothing to change them — if anything it made them worse. But the apocalypse made Michael worse too, intensifying his disdain towards his student’s behaviour. Having survived owing to a bomb shelter, Burr inhabits the in-between as Ms Crumble does, however, he wholly embraces his cannibalistic impulses and suffers no remorse in feeding upon children. Thus, the alter-ego Baron Triumph was born — as a method to terrorise former students.
