What We Do in the Shadows Movie Review

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

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Written by: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
Directed by: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
Starring: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer
Rated: R
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Plot
Four vampires sharing a flat in the modern world leads to tension, comedy... and death.

Verdict
What We Do in the Shadows is understated and hilarious. It treats vampires with such banality. Their conflict is getting into the clubs and cleaning the house. This could easily be a cult classic, nearly every line is quotable often playing off words. It doesn't rely on shock or gross out humor. It's legitimately funny. One of the funniest movies I've seen in a while, and one I've been quoting for a few days
Watch it.

Review
I was wary of the faux documentary style of shooting. but they use it to great effect. Its a great concept, showing modern day vampires in common situations. There is a lot of clever dialog that might go right over your head. It deals with immortality, love, human friends, and even were wolves.

They don't show up in mirrors, but wouldn't their clothes show? How are their clothes invisible?

They have difficulty clubbing because they have to be invited in, per vampire code. The vampire bar is dead, ha. No one is there. I love how it treats vampires with such banality. It makes them absolutely hilarious as they try to cope.

What We Do in the Shadows - Subtle, clever, hilarious.

Vlago is on a date and brings a girl back to the flat. He's putting down newspapers and towels for the impending mess. After the date he states, while covered in blood, "I hit a main artery. It's a bit of a mess there. On the upside I think she had a good time."

They look like middle aged guys, but they're from the middle ages. Modern society is completely foreign to them. They have to rely on an assistant to get them 'food' and interact with the world on their behalf. As powerful as they are, there are downsides.

When their assistant brings two of her friends for dinner, one of them is turned into a vampire. He's able to update the vampires with televisions, computers, and phones. They watch a video on Youtube of a sunrise.

The movie does an excellent job of setting up scenes and utilizing vampire powers as part of the joke. When the cops come to inspect the house, Vlago has to hypnotize them, though he admits his power isn't very good. It's a standout sequence. The movie sets up multiple jokes and delivers the pay offs. It's very smart.