What We Do In The Shadows is a mockumentary that follows a group of centuries-old vampire flatmates living in modern New Zealand. It’s the kind of out-there premise that could easily fall flat in the wrong hands but from the opening crawl (“In 2013, camera crews gained access to a secret society…”) it quickly becomes apparent that you’re in for the fun sort of ride that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The romantic and flamboyant Viago (Taika Waititi) might ‘lead’ the proceedings here but Vladislav (played by Flight of the Conchords-alumni Jemaine Clement) the former-impaler and Deacon (Jonathan Brugh) that steal the show and draw you into the film. The chemistry and casting here is perfect and there’s a wonderful blend the faux-Romanian accents that these characters put on and the touch of Kiwi-quirk.
The film mostly follows the trio as they go through everyday life in the lead-up to an annual supernatural get together known as The Unholy Masquerade. Things get complicated when the ancient and possibly-senile vampire who lives in the basement of the flat turns the young twenty-something Nick (Cori Gonzalez-Macuer) and brings him – and his best-mate Stu – into the mix. It’s a fun shake-up to the status quo within the flat and a great breath of fresh air that carries along the film’s second act.
What We Do In The Shadows peters out a little bit in the third act but for the most part is pretty funny. That said, the film sometimes felt lacking in truly hilarious laugh-out-loud bits with the exceptions of a particularly sharp line about the predispositions of vampires towards drinking virgin blood and a scene involving a house inspection.
The solid casting of the vampires in What We Do In The Shadows carries it far but the human characters are also a pleasant surprise. Scenes involving Jackie (Jackie Van Beek) and Stu (Stuart Rutherford) held their own comedically both against the vampires and the local werewolf clan that they cross paths with throughout the film.
There was a fun and festive Eastern-European flavor to the whole adventure courtesy of the films soundtrack and the special effects struck a brilliant balance between being just good enough to sell the premise of the movie and ridiculous enough to make it all the more hilarious to watch unfold.