Daylight
Daylight Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 11, 2026
Movie Overview: Daylight
| Movie | Daylight |
| Release Year | 1996 |
| Director | Rob Cohen |
| Genre | Action / Adventure / Thriller |
| Runtime | 115 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Daylight (1996) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Daylight are led by Sylvester Stallone . The supporting cast, including Amy Brenneman and Viggo Mortensen , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Daylight does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Action films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Daylight has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Action fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Daylight
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1996, Daylight is a Action, Adventure, Thriller film directed by Rob Cohen. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Sylvester Stallone.
Story Breakdown
In this high-octane feature, Rob Cohen establishes a narrative structure that follows a classic action blueprint: establishing the protagonist's world, introducing a formidable antagonist, and escalating the stakes. 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 for Sylvester Stallone, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title 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. Sylvester Stallone's 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.
Ending Explained: Daylight
Daylight Ending Explained: Directed by Rob Cohen, Daylight wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core action themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Sylvester Stallone. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the action themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Daylight reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Daylight?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Sylvester Stallone or the director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Box Office Collection: Daylight
| 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.
Top Cast: Daylight
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Daylight Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeDaylight Parents Guide & Age Rating
1996 AdvisoryWondering about Daylight age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Daylight is 115 minutes (1h 55m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, Daylight is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1996 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Daylight worth watching?
Daylight is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Daylight parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Daylight identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Daylight?
The total duration of Daylight is 115 minutes, which is approximately 1h 55m long.
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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 review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
