Greatest Icon Of The ’90s Hunts Vampires In Netflix Horror Action Comedy
What would the 1990s have been without Snoopy Doggy Dog? For all the Snoop devotees out there–or just those hankering for the glorious 90s–catch the hip-hop icon in Day Shift, streaming on Netflix now. Directed by J.J. Perry, the film stars none other than Jamie Foxx (recently delighting streamers in another horror-comedy, Netflix exclusive, They Cloned Tyrone), Dave Franco (The Disaster Artist), and Meagan Good (Stomp the Yard), delivering equal parts belly-laughs and action-thrills.
The action comedy horror Day Shift, starring Snoop Dogg among others, is streaming on Netflix.
The film follows Bud Jablonski, a blue-collar father and pool cleaner, seemingly about as average a guy as they come. But beneath his benign veneer, the working stiff is a dedicated and dangerous vampire hunter.
Soon into Day Shift, in the midst of a cover operation, our hero dispatches two vampire baddies. Their undead mother, Audrey, discovers the corpses (of corpses?) and vows vengeance. Aubrey is no mere peon vampire, but a super-vamp matriarch aspiring to restore the bloodsuckers to their once dominant status.
Meanwhile, the combination of Bud’s daughter’s hefty private school fees and an expensive move planned by his ex-wife drain his meagre finances. In a desperate bid to collect dough, Jablonski considers rejoining the vampire hunter’s union, despite their strict rules. These include requiring him only to work day shifts, hence the film’s name.
Michael Ordoña of the Los Angeles Times lauded Day Shift, dubbing it 2022’s standout, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Lovia Gyarkye considered it an eccentric and occasionally laugh-inducing action-thriller-comedy blend.
Bud recruits an old vampire hunting buddy, “Big” John (Snoop, in an unforgettable role), to grease the wheels and gain reentry to the labor union. All under the watchful eye of Seth, a strict union rep.
Soon, Seth is a vampire himself, and Aubrey’s fanged prowess proves nearly too much to handle. Thus, Bud must join forces with unlikely allies—including vampires (!)—to surmount the bloodthirsty menace, maybe even snag some much-needed cash, and save the day.
The movie marks Perry’s directorial debut, a veteran second-unit director, while Tyler Tice penned the initial script, which Shay Hatten then rewrote. The film also benefited from a star-studded team of producers, including Foxx, Chad Stahelski, ad Jason Spitz.
The streaming giant, Netflix, announced Day Shift in October 2020, also excitedly dishing that Foxx would lead the cast. Principle photography took place in Los Angeles, lending the film its gritty, day-in-the-life aesthetic.
Reviews for the film were mixed-to-positive (“mositive”?). On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie currently holds a 57 percent approval rating from 132 critics. Most experts concede the film benefited from a star-studded cast and unique concept, but still couldn’t compensate for its lackluster action-comedy sequences. On Metacritic, the movie retains a similarly middling 51/100 based on 33 critics, i.e., mixed to average feedback.
From the early 1990s onward, Snoop provided easily one of the most recognized voices in hip-hop…
Some reviewers gushed, however. Michael Ordoña of the Los Angeles Times lauded Day Shift, dubbing it 2022’s standout, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Lovia Gyarkye considered it an eccentric and occasionally laugh-inducing action-thriller-comedy blend.
Conversely, Owen Gleiberman of Variety described the film’s narrative as too tangled to follow. At the same time, Peter Travers of ABC News applauded Jamie Foxx’s performance as effortlessly cool but poo-pood what he saw as the movie’s chaotic, overwhelming energy.
Many know Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.—otherwise beloved for his rap moniker, Snoop Dogg—as a multifaceted artist primarily credited with his immense contributions to the hip-hop industry. He’s also left an indelible mark in the realms of acting (beyond merely slaying vamps in Day Shift), entrepreneurship, and even television hosting.
From the early 1990s onward, Snoop provided easily one of the most recognized voices in hip-hop, launched with his debut album, Doggystyle, released in 1993. A commercial success produced by the world-class beat surgeon Dr. Dre, the record cemented Snoop’s place in hip-hop history. Over the years, he’s put out countless albums, singles, and collaborations, spanning multiple genres from rap to reggae and even gospel.
The Doggystyle rapper’s charisma and unique persona mean he’s also been a sought-after figure in film and television. Early film appearances include roles in Half Baked (1998), John Singleton’s Baby Boy (2001), and Bones (2001). All of which prepared him well for Day Shift.
Jamie Foxx, for his part, began his celebrated entertainment career as a stand-up comedian before graduating to the storied TV program The Jamie Foxx Show, which ran from 1996 to 2001.
His roles in Hollywood films such as Collateral (which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor) and starring role in Ray, the Ray Charles biopic (landing him the Academy Award for Best Actor) elevated Foxx to the status of a bonafide acting great.
See them both slay vampires in Day Shift, streaming on Netflix now.
