Jemaine Clement, Taiki Waititi, Jonathan Brugh
Directed by Jemaine Clement and Taiki Waititi
Rating: B
In a modern New Zealand flat, four vampires share living quarters. Each were born in different centuries and get along with a shared set of rules. Unfortunately, Deacon (the newest vampire at 183-years-old) isn’t following the chore chart like he’s supposed to and the other roommates aren’t happy. Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav allow a film crew to follow their nightly lives as they try to get a fresh supply of blood delivered to their house and try to get into the hottest nightclub.
When one of their dinner parties goes wrong and a would-be victim turns vampire, the group reluctantly accept him. They teach Nick (the new guy) the general rules of being a vampire (like don’t go telling everyone what you are) and he shows them the usefulness of modern technology (like computers). Nick can’t keep his new secret and tells everyone he meets, even his best human friend. Without thinking about consequences Nick brings his friend to an undead party, where zombies and vampires are eager to eat him. Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav re-think if being friends with Nick is going to work out.
What We Do in the Shadows is a comedy in the style of a mockumentary. Audiences who enjoy television shows like The Office (U.S.) or Flight of the Conchords would most likely get the humor these vampires unintentionally show off. The undead life isn’t easy when you have five years worth of dishes to clean or like trying not to get blood on the vintage couch. These vampires who have never seen a sunrise since they were turned are now able to do so through the Internet.
It may be facing a tough audience but for those of us who have had roommates or siblings, some of the material is funny. What We Do in the Shadows is worth a try for an 86-minute movie.
Give Movies a Chance 
Glad to hear you liked it. “What We Do in the Shadows” is one of my favorite comedies. I just love Viago, he is so effete and prim and proper and in his own murderous way, lovable. This is one of those movies that’s great to quote to other people who have seen it, and it’s not too bloody so even my 11 y. o. sister can enjoy it. I generally don’t get the appeal of American comedies (“Trainwreck” with Amy Schumer and Bill Hader was unwatchably unfunny in my humble opinion;) I enjoy offbeat humor from places like Britain and New Zealand more. 🙂
Yes! I agree, I have a hard time watching some American comedies, especially American rom-coms. They’re just completely unbelievable or they go too far trying to be funny. Sometime’s the British humor goes over my head but who doesn’t love hearing the accent?