Daybreak is a a new Netflix series about a post-apocalyptic world that centers around a 17-year-old Canadian outcast Josh Wheeler, who proclaims his life could not have been any better since the apocalypse has started, besides losing his girlfriend Sam Dean.
The series is based in Glendale, California and has a big Mad Max feel due to the location. The series starts off with Josh telling us in a “breaking the fourth wall” style how he ended up in the position he is in. Although happy, he is still distraught after losing the most important person to him, Sam, before the nuke that bombed California went off. Along with trying to locate Sam, Josh comes up with multiple rules that he believes help him survive the now torn apart city of Glendale.
Although the apocalypse has struck, the teenagers were left unharmed while everyone over the age of 18 turned into something similar to zombies. This has left the teenagers to divide into multiple factions, which provide a fun take for the series as the kids section themselves off into something similar to a school lunchroom.
Although we are first introduced to Josh, he is far from the star in this cast. We have Angelica Green played by Alyvia Alyn Lind, the 10-year-old drug lord who aspires to be just like Griselda Blanco. Angelica is entertaining from the moment she steps on screen. Even though she’s young, she packs a mean punch and is definitely one of the smartest in the series. Then we have Sam Dean, Josh’s girlfriend who is mostly shown in flashbacks. Also Austin Crute playing Wesley Fists, the newly best friend of Josh and an old jock out on a path of forgiveness for his past sins, who also happens to be Turbo’s love interest. Turbo is the head Jock, and main villain to Josh Wheeler, played by Cody Kearsley. Krysta Rodriguez stars as “The Witch/Ms.Crumble,” who has a hilarious backstory on how she gets the name “Crumble.” Then, of course, Matthew Broderick, the original Ferris Bueller, also stars in the series in a main role making this show completely iconic.
Rounding out the main cast is Jeante Godlock as Mona Lisa, the right hand woman to Turbo, and Gregory Kasyan as Eli Cardashyan, who is no relation to the actual Kardashians as he hilariously points out numerous times. Mona Lisa and Eli are able to provide numerous laugh-out-loud moments of the series easily making them both some of the best things about the series.
The numerous dynamics in the series is what makes the show so compelling to watch; with this unique of a storyline, I had to make sure I finished. The series really manages to stay original and relatable despite its crazy story. The concept is what drives you in while the storytelling keeps you compelled to finish the ride. For those who love Ferris Bueller and Zombies, this is definitely a must-watch for you. Join the ride on Netflix now and watch how this 2012 graphic novel takes over Netflix!
Echo Grade: A+
