Dark Star Pictures has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Daydreamers, the groundbreaking Vietnamese vampire thriller from producer-director Timothy Linh Bui (Green Dragon).
Dark Star Pictures has built a following for its auteur-driven, bold, thought-provoking international and independent film slate. Daydreamers is one of the first vampire films to emerge from Vietnam. It blends horror, thriller, and fantasy with breathtaking visual effects.
“I wanted to tell a story about people who live within the shadows of a modern city,” states Bui. “I was inspired by the Vietnamese riverboat communities, who have been there for decades and are overlooked by those around them. As the ultimate outsiders, vampires are the perfect vehicle to explore that world. They exist in secrecy, live on the margins, and are defined by their need to remain hidden.”
The Story
Set 400 years ago, the story reimagines vampire lore from Southeast Asia. As European vampires faced extinction, they fled to Vietnam – then known as Annam – bringing with them the dark curse. The film introduces a dark and gripping supernatural world in modern-day Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The film follows Nhat, a young vampire who suppresses its thirst for human blood to regain lost humanity. His brother Marco returns home with stories of vampires thriving amongst humans in the big city. Nhat is drawn into a dangerous world that tests his loyalty, beliefs, and survival. His life changes when he meets Ha. Ha is a rebellious schoolgirl who uncovers his secret. It forces Nhat to break vampire law in an act of forbidden protection. As Trieu, a ruthless vampire queen, orders their execution, the city erupts into chaos. This sets the stage for a final battle between brothers—one embracing the monster within, the other fighting to hold onto his last shred of humanity.
The Stars
The film showcases breathtaking visual effects that elevate its dark, dreamlike world, blending genre spectacle with grounded emotional storytelling. It also boasts a dynamic cast, including Vietnamese superstar Chi Pu (Trieu), a singer and actress with over 20 million followers who starred in the Chinese reality series “Sisters Who Make Waves.” She’s joined by rising talent, Trinh Thao (Ha), Thuan Nguyen (Marco), and Tran Ngoc Vang (Nhat).
The film was nominated for six awards at the prestigious Vietnamese 2025 Ngoi Sao Xanh (New Face of the Year) Awards and won “Best Director” for Timothy Linh Bui, “Best New Talent” for Tran Ngoc Vang, and “Best Production Design” for An Do.
Timothy Linh Bui, known for his work on Vietnamese and diasporic stories, brings his signature storytelling to Daydreamers. He produced The Housemaid, released by IFC Films and distributed in 25 countries, including a remake in the works written by Oscar winner Geoffery Fletcher.
Sink Your Teeth into Daydreamers
The film will premiere in the U.S. with a limited theatrical release starting May 2nd, followed by an expanded theatrical rollout. The digital release is set for June 3rd across all major TVOD platforms.
