Is Daylight Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Daylight is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 115 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Daylight Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1996, Daylight emerges as a significant entry in the Action, Adventure, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A group of armed robbers fleeing the police head for the New Jersey Tunnel and run right into trucks transporting toxic waste. Unlike standard genre fare, Daylight attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Daylight features a noteworthy lineup led by Sylvester Stallone . Supported by the likes of Amy Brenneman and Viggo Mortensen , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Daylight (1996) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Daylight Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Daylight is a Action, Adventure, Thriller film that delivers high-octane sequences and adrenaline-pumping confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The narrative structure follows a classic action blueprint: establish the protagonist's world, introduce a formidable antagonist, and escalate the stakes through increasingly intense confrontations. A group of armed robbers fleeing the police head for the New Jersey Tunnel and run right into trucks transporting toxic waste. The spectacular explosion that follows results in both ends of the tunnel collapsing and the handful of people who survived the explosion are now in peril. Kit Latura is the only man with the skill and knowledge to lead the band of survivors out of the tunnel before the structure collapses. The film balances spectacular set pieces with character moments, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film opens with an explosive sequence that immediately establishes the stakes and introduces our protagonist in action.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final confrontation delivers on the buildup, with stakes at their highest and the protagonist using everything they've learned.
Daylight Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Daylight concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Daylight reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Daylight?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Daylight Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $80.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $159.2M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Daylight Budget
The estimated production budget for Daylight is $80.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Daylight
- Sylvester Stallone – Kit Latura
- Amy Brenneman – Madelyne Thompson
- Viggo Mortensen – Roy Nord
- Stan Shaw – George Tyrell
- Barry Newman – Norman Bassett
Top Highlights
Sylvester StalloneKit Latura
Amy BrennemanMadelyne Thompson
Viggo MortensenRoy Nord
Stan ShawGeorge Tyrell
Barry NewmanNorman Bassett
Dan HedayaFrank Kraft
Jay O. SandersSteven Crighton
Karen YoungSarah Crighton
Claire BloomEleanor Trilling
Vanessa Bell CallowayGrace Calloway
Where to Watch Daylight Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
Daylight is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.1/10, and global collection metrics, Daylight stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1996 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Daylight movie hit or flop?
Daylight has received mixed reviews with a 6.1/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Daylight worth watching?
Daylight is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Adventure, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Daylight online?
Daylight may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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Critic Reviews for Daylight
Now I would have thought that the last thing you'd allow to travel through a tunnel with billions of gallons of water above it, would be a truck full of explosives; but hey - if you need to make a film for Sly to come to the rescue, you've got to start off with a daft premisss. Add to this, a getaway car full of robbers that manages to collide with said truck and we have a load of superb pyrotechnics and then a sort of subterranean version of the "Poseidon Adventure" (1972) as our hero tries to lead a group of survivors up top. It takes far too long to actually get going: Sly leaves the rather incompetent rescue-management team on the surface to facilitate the rescue but only after about half an hour of disaster/character establishment that we could have easily have done without. A bit like with it's earlier maritime counterpart, there are some decent moments when all their lives are in peril, and Sly chivvies the gang along with a mixture of cajoling and threat, but the thing is all just so formulaic - even down to the dog and many of them, by the end, deserved what they got!
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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