Neoliberalism and the undead gothic subject in Daybreakers. Issue 2 (4th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lindop, Samantha
• Is Part Of: Continuum. Volume 35:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 282
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2021-03-04
• Subjects: Daybreakers -- neoliberalism -- capitalism -- vampire -- Marx -- lumpenproletariat; Motion pictures -- Australia -- Periodicals; Broadcasting -- Australia -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Periodicals; 306.05
• DOI: 10.1080/10304312.2021.1936835
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1030-4312

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The vampire of classic gothic fiction has long been recognized as allegory for industrial capitalism of the late 1800s – an assertion influenced by Karl Marx's apt description of capitalism as vampirish. Indeed, Dracula is a true monopolist – a rational entrepreneur who is driven to accumulate, expand, and suck the living of their toil. Accordingly, if this is the case, what does the vampire of modern economic practices and political strategies look like? This article examines how the politics of neoliberalism, economic globalization and the rise of financial capitalism are interwoven into vampire fiction of the twenty-first century focusing on Michael and Peter Spierig's 2009 sci-fi horror film Daybreakers .