What We Do in the Shadows
Vampires have been a staple of horror media for centuries at this point, often being portrayed as vicious bloodsucking fiends. Whether it be Bram Stoker’s classic novel “Dracula” and its deluge of adaptations or Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire,” vampires have gotten a pretty bad rap over the years. Thankfully, the comedy film “What We Do in the Shadows” from 2014 sets out to correct these stereotypes.
“What We Do in the Shadows” is a mockumentary that focuses on a group of vampire roommates living in modern day New Zealand as they navigate their day to day lives. Among these vampires are Viago (Taika Waititi), Vladislav (Jemaine Clement), Deacon (Jonny Burgh), and Petyr (Ben Fransham). The dynamic between these characters provides many laughs throughout the movie, as they constantly bicker and argue over very non-vampire things such as house chores. Having a goofy down to earth angle just makes the movie perfect as it addresses the biggest day to day issues with being a vampire. The movie is filled to the brim with memorable moments and quotes that never cease to elicit a laugh, making it a movie that will constantly stick with you long after the first watch.
The documentary style creates an entertaining framing device as it allows the characters to directly address the audience. Through this they describe all the misfortunes that led them to New Zealand as well as their thoughts on current situations in the plot. Imagine “The Office” mixed with “Dracula” and you have a solid idea of what it entails. This provides some major laughs as well, since obviously vampires don’t exactly have the same issues or opinions as ordinary, rational people.
The documentary style allows the editing to accentuate the comedy with quick cuts and interviews. Sometimes the comedy can come just from the face a character will make towards the camera as an event unfolds before them. The characters are charming and entertaining to watch; you feel for them at times, yet you can still laugh when comedic misfortune befalls them in some strange ways.
The comedy is on point, as it pokes fun at the tropes of vampire narratives and folklore. At one point the characters have to request to be let into a nightclub, only for the bouncer to become confused as the conversation escalates into an argument. The movie is filled with these moments that poke fun at the mundane difficulties of being a vampire in a clever way.
Each character provides their own charm as the main trio contrast with one another. Viago is a perky and goofy vampire, whereas Deacon is the resident slacker, and Vladislav plays the role of a more traditional draconian vampire. Then there’s Petyr, Petyr is the best character in the whole movie. In addition we get to see some of the other colorful characters Wellington as they interact with the main trio, such as a pair of bumbling police officers and a tracksuit-clad gang of werewolves. “What We Do in the Shadows” manages to make every character, no matter how small, feel memorable.
