Why Blade Wears Sunglasses (Even At Night)

In the Blade film series, the title character hunts his prey, vampires, at night – so why does he wear sunglasses? Athletic, dressed in black leather, and with a stern demeanor, Blade cuts an imposing figure, using a variety of creative weapons and martial arts prowess to cut a swath through the vampires and reapers that are the antagonists of the films. The original Blade movie is a classic, and of all the memorable costumes, arguably Wesley Snipes’ most memorable costume accessory that completes the look are Blade’s iconic shades.

From the first scene in Blade, it’s clear that sunglasses are not uncommon nighttime wear in the vampire subculture. Still, while standard vampires in the movie’s setting are extremely sensitive to bright light and may need additional protection, Blade is the ‘Daywalker,’ notorious for not sharing that vulnerability. As a half-vampire, half-human hybrid, Blade has augmented senses and is not in any way hindered by the shades, but almost everything that he wears or carries with him serve a utility function – even his wardrobe is designed to protect him in a fight, or to conceal the arsenal of weaponry that he carries around on his person.  While Blade is certainly allowed to have a cool affectation, do his sunglasses serve an additional purpose?

First and foremost, Blade’s sunglasses conceal his eyes. While the tinting doesn’t affect his ability to see in low light, the polarized lenses prevent other people – including vampires that he might be fighting – from seeing where he is looking. Since depictions of combat in the Blade movies are fast and brutal, it’s fair to assume that the vampires use their heightened senses to look for any vulnerability or hint at what an opponent is going to do. Doing battle with foes as potent as Dracula and the other Marvel vampires requires every possible edge, so this – combined with the use of the sunglasses to remind them that he does not share their vulnerability to daylight – could provide a significant psychological and combat advantage.

Blade also uses a number of weapons that take advantage of the vulnerability that vampires have to UV radiation, including UV grenades. While he might not have any more vulnerability to sunlight than a human, he is not specifically resistant to it either. Wearing sunglasses would protect Blade from the effects that sudden bright lights and UV radiation would have on normal vision as well, and thereby allow him to use such weapons more freely. Given the other environmental effects that could serve to inconvenience or even temporarily blind the vampire hunter, it probably helps to have some glasses on to keep blood out of his eyes.

Blade’s costume has undergone several variations over the years, but he has always dressed to impress. Blade’s original costume was pretty weird, but even this was a unique style that set him apart from the everyday populace of the Marvel universe. With his sunglasses on, he becomes harder to read, and even more intimidating than he is without them. Whether they’re a utility option, or there because he feels cool when he’s wearing them, they’ve become an iconic and useful part of Blade’s look.

About The Author

Drew Dunlop
(82 Articles Published)

Drew Dunlop is a short story author, and a feature writer for Screen Rant. A former movie review blogger, Drew has spent a great deal of his adult life writing and talking about films and comics. Now, he writes and talks about comic book films – DC Cinematic Universe, and Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

A hobbyist chef, Drew enjoys the company of his partner, his parrot, and his philodendron.

More From Drew Dunlop