What We Do In The Shadows is a mockumentary about four vampires that share a house in New Zealand. A documentary crew follows four vampire roommates in the months leading up to the Unholy Masquerade Ball. The four vampires Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, and Petyr each personify various vampire troupes- the lothario, the dandy, the monster, and the Dracula stand in. The equilibrium of the house is disturbed when Nick, a modern New Zealander and previous victim, is turned into a vampire and brings technology and a human friend, Stu, into the house.
The film is part horror, part slap-stick comedy, and part Real World send up. The minutia of these characters living together is given the same, if not more, weight than their vampiric activities. They argue over dishes and cleaning, they go out to bars together, they entertain and console each other. Although the film uses the Unholy Ball as a destination the story and the comedy is more in the day-to-day interactions of its delightfully earnest and silly characters then in any narrative journey.
Across the board all the actors give incredibly grounded dead-pan performances infused with an energetic light-hearted playfulness. The characters they create are so tangible and fully formed, the relationships they have with each other so sportive and pleasing to watch. The rich humor of the film comes from the over-the-top horror effects paired wonderfully with the witty/idiotic tête-à-tête of the leads. The only disappointment is in the rather short running time.
Funny and oddly joyful with tons of heart.
Don't Miss It.
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