Overview
A factory worker's tragic journey leads to a fateful act of violence fueled by jealousy and betrayal.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- fatalistic
- claustrophobic
- melancholic
- classic cinema night
- film noir marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful, atmospheric landmark of French poetic realism, distinguished by its fatalistic romance, performances, and direction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Marcel Carné and Jacques Prévert frame a working-class murder through fatalistic romance, expressive interiors, and prewar French social atmosphere.
François barricades himself in his room after killing Valentin, and the preceding romantic entanglements are revealed through his memories.
François and Françoise’s love is destabilized by Valentin’s pursuit of Françoise and the resulting emotional rivalry.
François remains trapped inside his furnished room while police surround the building, turning domestic space into a site of psychological and physical entrapment.
Films like Daybreak, and why
The Human Beast
French poetic realism, doomed romance, fatal jealousy, and fatalistic crime drama
Double Indemnity
classic film noir atmosphere, romantic obsession, moral entrapment, and a doomed protagonist
Ossessione
tragic lovers, noir fatalism, emotional intensity, and crime shaped by jealousy
The Earrings of Madame de...
poetic realism, working-class characters, romantic betrayal, and bleak social atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Marcel Carné
- Release Date
- 1939-06-09
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (257)
Cast
- Jean Gabin
- Jacqueline Laurent
- Jules Berry
- Arletty
- Mady Berry
- René Génin
- Arthur Devère
- René Bergeron
- Bernard Blier
- Germaine Lix
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Daybreak about?
- A sympathetic factory worker barricades himself after a killing, reliving the jealousy and betrayal that pushed him toward a tragic confrontation.
- What is Daybreak like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Daybreak as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Daybreak violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Daybreak as mild.
- What did critics think of Daybreak?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful, atmospheric landmark of French poetic realism, distinguished by its fatalistic romance, performances, and direction.
- Which films are like Daybreak?
- Films with a similar feel include The Human Beast, Double Indemnity, Ossessione, and The Earrings of Madame de....
- How long is Daybreak?
- Daybreak runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch Daybreak?
- In United States, Daybreak streams on Criterion Channel.
