This mockumentary about a bunch of misfit housemates, helps to shine a light on the stereotyped diamond-skinned vampires and to instead show them as nothing but outrageously outdated selfish bloodsuckers, who are hilarious misconstrued, and misplaced in today’s modern world. See inside the real lives of household vampires in What We Do in the Shadows.
Nothing here fits with Hollywood’s glamourous portrayal of vampires, oh no, they’re far more down to earth in New Zealand with the ‘Cathedral of Despair’ being held in a bowling club. Still, What We Do in the Shadows seeks to dispel the old-old myths about monsters, zombies, werewolves, and vampires and bring them into the twenty-first century, so roll on the bowling balls. The documenters will make you laugh out loud – even as you watch their ground-breaking film for the thirteenth time – and with each new viewing, you’ll discover new things you’ve missed, all the while enjoying the straight-faced lines that would make a blood-bag split with laughter. It speaks of the pints to litres of fun the crew must have had in filming, as well as the beers they must’ve consumed.
The film begins with the introduction into a vampire collective (ahem – blood-drunken mancave of a home). There’s; Viago (aka Taika Waititi) whose nerdy, highly strung and hopeless in bringing order to the house and group; Vlad (full name Vladislav, also known as Jemaine Clement) who’s the charismatic middleman that comes into his own as the documentary proceeds; Deacon (alias Jonny Brugh) the most immature of the bunch – which takes some doing; last, but also first in the history of vampires, is Petyr (human name Ben Fransham), and he’s…..urmmm…..ermm……the quiet one? From these introductions comes a photo montage covering their years together, with rough ink drawings, pencil sketches and oil paintings also covering their hundreds of years as solo vampires.
Having been invited to film the real lives of vampires, the camera crew enter their home and follow them into their night-to-night life, and in doing so we see the run up to ‘The Unholy Masquerade’ – a ball for monsters. Although there’s this connecting thread of the ball, the “documentary” is more a series of hilarious sketches. A particular favourite being when they draw pictures of what each other looks like – because of course they have no reflection to measure themselves by – and let’s just say the images aren’t too flattering or show great talent, just think pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey meets hyperactive kid.
What We Do in the Shadows is through and through a documentary, it therefore has to stick to the rules of not interfering with its subject matter. But still, I couldn’t help but think of the crew’s evil complicity in following and filming the victims, and providing no help to save them – is this evil? Or justified by the chance of an Oscar? And what about their own protection from receiving such harm? Oh, that’s okay, the vampires have assured their safety. Sadly, however I could not get hold of the vampires for such a treaty, so I’m enjoying a meal of holy water and onions, aka Evian, and cheese and onion crisps as I write this review.
A tad gruesomely, these vampires aren’t a tidy bunch, with bloody dishes in the sink, a driveway being washed down, and then there’s the burnt skeletons. Not forgetting of course when Viago hopelessly bites into the vein of a victim – his neat preparation going straight out the window, as he tries to get an exploding fire hydrant of blood in his mouth. Well, at least he got some of it! The special effects…cough, real-life footage of the vampires being captured surprisingly well for this low-budget documentary.
Through the process of filming the vampire housemates, it’s made apparent that they’re stuck in their bygone days, having failed at keeping up with the times – and so the odd modern appliance or situation lines them up for comedy gold as they’re superbly juxtaposed against it. Yet, they still try to fit into a contemporary life even as it clashes against them. When a new vampire is introduced to the house, there’s a brilliant sense of irony. He’s unadjusted to the traditional ways of vampires, while they in turn are out of touch with modern developments – the two worlds trying to meet.
Another thing that doesn’t quite tally – shown by the inclusion of vampire mythology – is the demonised faces not matching the vampires we’re seeing; fur, leopard print, velvet, doilies and more mismatch. How could we have got the history books so wrong?
With a rich source of creative material, What We Do in the Shadows has sired a successful TV show of the same name, with Jermaine Clement being its creator, and who along with Taika Waititi has directed numerous episodes. It’s filmed in the same style as the mockumentary, but based on a different household, with excellent additions such as an energy vampire and a bloody brilliant familiar who steals the show with every direct-to-camera eyebrow raise and knowing look. If you love the film, you’ll the love the show. Not forgetting a very memorable episode in which our trio of loved vampires, Vladislav, Viago and Deacon, make an appearance along with almost every other star-studded celebrity vampire inc Tilda Swinton and a certain Snipes. If you’re a keen bat watcher you’ll enjoy spotting them all, in particular watch out for Mark Hamill’s appearance – it’s fangtastic, you can crucify the puns later.
However, the only wooden stick to the film are the jokes with Deacon’s familiar, which sadly don’t work. The delivery perhaps being a little too dry? I hope this won’t mean my blood is drained, for it’s much more fun watching What We Do in the Shadows than being stuck in them.
Director & Writer: Taika Waititi
Other notable works:
- Thor: Love and Thunder 2022
- Our Flag Means Death 2022 –
- Reservation Dogs 2021 –
- What We Do in the Shadows (TV series) 2019 –
- Jojo Rabbit 2019
- Wellington Paranormal 2018 –
- Thor: Ragnarok 2017
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople 2016
- Boy 2010
- Flight of the Conchords 2007-2009
Director & Writer: Jemaine Clement
Other notable works:
- What We Do in the Shadows (TV series) 2019 –
- Wellington Paranormal 2018 –
- Flight of the Conchords 2007-2009
