What We Do in the Shadows

Good comedies are hard to come by these days. I mean good comedies that do more than beg for laughs by providing a good cinematic foundation for those laughs. For me, the contemporary Hollywood “funny movies” rarely ever work, and we’re bombarded with their kind constantly throughout a given year. However, there is a subgenre perfectly tailored to aim for laughs and still hold on to its artistic merit: the mockumentary.

"This is Spinal Tap" (1984), "Waiting For Guffman" (1996), and "Man Bites Dog" (1992) are some good additions that come to mind within this subgenre, and "What We Do in the Shadows" is up there with the best of them.

Many documentaries tend to follow a person or group of people in order to expose how they get through life, or how they will overcome an obstacle. By documenting this footage, we simply watch someone progress through life, and if that person is interesting, it makes the movie memorable. “What We Do in the Shadows” takes this documentary structure and adds an absurd fictional concept: What if a documentary crew followed five vampires around in contemporary society? As a result, a new classic is born.

We first meet the politely passive Viago (Taika Waititi) as he introduces us to each of our protagonists. Deacon (Jonathan Brugh) wants to be the cool vampire of the group and thus typically wanders aloof with a careless demeanor. Vladislav (Jemaine Clement, from Flight of the Conchords fame) is the classic Transylvania type, sleeping with demonic harlots, spending time in his torture lair and indulging in centuries-old fashions. Then there is Petyr, an 8,000-year-old bloodsucker, obviously modeled after Nosferatu — bald, pale, slender and terrifying!

Early on, we're also introduced to Jackie, Deacon’s human “familiar." Jackie is the Renfield to Deacon’s Dracula, so to speak. Her goal is to please her master so she can eventually gain eternal life. As the three former night-walkers wander through life — leaving Petyr to rest in his ancient tomb — Jackie brings victims to their flat. During one of these “dinner parties, the guys meet Nick (who is turned early on), a true millennial. He likes to show off his immortality, bearing his fangs for the world to see, flying home drunk, walking the city with reckless abandon.

I personally think the most memorable character is Stu, one of Nick’s human friends. He says so few words, but his existence provides so much humor. Not because he himself is funny, but because he becomes an honorary member of the vampire house, given immunity by the dead, and being completely nonchalant about it.

As we watch these vampires live their lives, complaining about their flatmates not doing their chores or discussing why they hate werewolves, the humor is a fresh take on old tropes surrounding this brand of monster. It could simply be the unique way they vacuum the apartment (let’s just say they can fly), or when the guys want to go into a club but need to be invited in (which leaves the doormen baffled). The typical lore is given new life here, and it’s really, really funny. Each actor delivers a memorable performance, with each saying something that you will quote days later.

Directors Clement and Waititi have a near-perfect vision for this film — thanks largely to their cinematographers, Richard Bluck and D.J. Stipsen, and their effects team. They really hit the target with their approach to such familiar territory. Their use of special effects is exceptionally appropriate. When it looks cheesy, it’s intentional and adds to the laughs. But when it’s believable enough, it helps the viewer take the film more seriously. It’s quite impressive, especially when compared to other films attempting a similar feat. Furthermore, the look of the film is deliberately messy, handheld, and strategically amateur. This overall aesthetic compliments the film’s objective — to get laughs — and furthers the absurdity being presented.

In sum, “What We Do in the Shadows” is one of the better comedies I’ve seen in a good while. It’s interesting, funny, well-made and all done with a passion to inspire laughter. The creators seem to have a knack for this genre, and I look forward to their future contributions. However, the film is only as good as it can be taking this approach. It's still just a film looking for laughs, but honestly, I'll accept that. Definitely see "What We Do in the Shadows" and see if you can accept it, too. I can't imagine you regretting it.

4.5 Yaps