WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (2014)
Updated: Dec 12, 2022
A Charming and Funny Look Into the World of the Undead
Grade: A
Vampires. Gotta love ‘em.
These mythical creatures have been featured in countless films dating back to the early years of cinema. Mostly they are objects of pure terror, but sometimes they are there to be laughed at. What We Do in the Shadows falls squarely in the latter category. Written and directed by and starring Taika Waititi (who would later go on to direct Thor: Ragnarok [2017] and Jojo Rabbit [2019]) and Jemaine Clement, What We Do in the Shadows is an endlessly funny romp that combines traditional vampire horror with almost satirical humor and heart to create a truly hilarious movie.
Set in Wellington, New Zealand, What We Do in the Shadows is told through the cameras of a documentary crew following four vampire flatmates: Viago (Waititi), Vladislav (Clement), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh) and Petyr (Ben Fransham) in the months leading up to an annual event called the Unholy Masquerade. Protected by crucifixes, the crew watches the vampires on their night-to-night activities, including having a flat meeting to decide who will clean the bloody dishes, going out on the town, trash-talking werewolves, and luring victims with "basghetti" dinners. Along the way, the crew-and the audience-see that, despite their evil nature, these monsters have hearts of gold.
There are so many things in What We Do in the Shadows that contribute to its hilarity, from the dialogue and antics of the vampires to their ways of life. None of these things, however, would be possible if the vampires were written as typical, soulless monsters. Instead, they are portrayed as ordinary people who just happen to be vampires, trying to make their way in eternal life. Their backstories are at once terrifying, funny, and sad. Viago was once in love with a human woman and had his coffin shipped to New Zealand to find her, but it went to the wrong address; when he finally got to his destination, she had already married. Vladislav was a monstrous, torture-happy tyrant in his glory days of the middle ages, but his powers were dealt a serious blow after apparently suffering a major defeat at the hands of a creature called “The Beast.” And during World War II, Deacon was a member of Hitler’s secret vampire army (yes, that was a thing in this movie) but was forced to go into hiding after the fall of the Third Reich.
The screenplay by Waititi and Clement provides a goofy spin on traditional vampire powers, weaknesses, and situations: since they cannot see each other in a mirror, they must help each other get dressed for the evening. And when they finally do go out, they cannot even enter a bar without being invited by the usher. Early on, when the vampires are chasing a victim named Nick (Cori Gonzales-Macuer), Vladislav shapeshifts into a cat, but Jemaine Clements’s face is still on it (an image that is both creepy and silly). When Viago sinks his teeth into a dinner date, he accidentally hits a major artery, resulting in a terrible mess. “On the upside, I think she had a really good time,” he says afterwards.
But these vamps have a soft spot. Shortly after a vampirized Nick joins the group, he introduces them to his human friend Stu (Stu Rutherford), who in turn introduces the vampires to the internet. The vampires quickly become friends with Stu and refuse to eat him; when he unexpectedly shows up at the Unholy Masquerade, they defend him from the other creatures gathered there. Later, after he apparently suffers a terrible fate at the hands of some werewolves, there is a period of mourning for him. It is this level of heart amid the hilarity that has become something of a trademark for writer/director Waititi; he would later revisit it in Thor: Ragnarok with the destruction of Asgard, and Jojo Rabbit with World War II.
This review only scratches the surface of how funny What We Do in the Shadows is. While there have, of course, been other vampire comedy movies, WWDITS is truly one of a kind. It is well-written, well-directed and well-executed: the documentary approach creates a level of deadpan realism to the film that only makes it even more hilarious. Instead of screaming in horror or walking away feeling dread or sadness, audiences would be holding their sides with laughter, for WWDITS is the most fun anyone can have watching a movie about bloodsucking creatures of the night.
Directors: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
Writers: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
Producers: Taika Waititi, Chelsea Winstanley, Emanuel Michael
Cast: Jemaine Clement (Vladislav the Poker), Taika Waititi (Viago), Jonathan Brugh (Deacon Brucke), Ben Fransham (Petyr), Cori Gonzales-Macuer (Nick), Stu Rutherford (Stu), Jackie Van Beek (Jackie), Rhys Darby (Anton the Werewolf)
Rated: R (for bloody violent content, some sexual material and language)
Comentarios