What We Do in the Shadows Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A documentary crew follows some vampires who can’t decide whose turn it is to do the dishes, then someone accidentally makes a new vampire and chaos ensues involving werewolves who just want to be left alone.

🍿 What We Do in the Shadows: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Vampire Flatmates

The film introduces us to Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav, three vampires sharing a flat in Wellington, New Zealand. The mockumentary format follows their daily lives, revealing the mundane struggles of immortal beings trying to navigate modern society. We learn of their diverse ages and origins, from the aristocratic Viago of the 17th century to the ancient and feral Petyr.

Modern Problems of the Undead

The vampires grapple with everyday issues such as paying rent, maintaining a chore wheel, and struggling to gain entry into nightclubs. Their attempts to feed on humans often lead to comical mishaps, highlighting their disconnect from contemporary life. Vladislav, in particular, has a complicated relationship with technology and modern customs.

The Introduction of Nick

The vampires’ lives are disrupted when they turn a young man named Nick into a vampire. Nick’s introduction to the flat brings modern sensibilities and technology, courtesy of his human friend, Stu. However, Nick’s recklessness and tendency to reveal his vampire nature to strangers creates chaos and threatens the group’s secrecy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Viago (Taika Waititi): A tidy and somewhat fussy 17th-century vampire trying to keep the flatmates organized and civil.
• Vladislav (Jemaine Clement): An ancient and formerly feared vampire now struggling with modern life and haunted by a past nemesis.
• Deacon (Jonny Brugh): The ‘young’ and rebellious vampire, a former Nazi, who avoids chores and relies on his familiar.
• Petyr (Ben Fransham): An 8,000-year-old reclusive vampire resembling Nosferatu who turned Nick into a vampire.
• Nick (Cori Gonzalez-Macuer): A newly turned vampire who struggles with his identity and integrating into vampire society.
• Stu (Stu Rutherford): Nick’s human friend who becomes integrated into the vampire flatmates’ lives and later a werewolf.
• Jackie (Jackie van Beek): Deacon’s long-suffering human familiar who aspires to become a vampire herself.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Vladislav: “I think we drink virgin blood because it sounds cool.” – Vladislav explains the reason for their preference, adding a darkly humorous take on vampire lore.
• Vladislav: “I think of it like this. If you are going to eat a sandwich, you would just enjoy it more if you knew no one had fucked it.” – Vladislav justifies the need to drink virgin blood
• Viago: “We’re vampires, we don’t put down towels.” – Viago explains why they don’t clean up the blood after feeding.
• Deacon: “What’s that thing? Is that a werewolf?” – Deacon’s nonchalant reaction when a werewolf is right in front of him.
• Nick: “I haven’t had a shower in like, five weeks.” – Nick talks about advantages of becoming vampire

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.6M
• Domestic Gross: $3.47M
• Worldwide Gross: $8.9M

💥 What We Do in the Shadows Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a few chuckles, but I laughed so hard my sides hurt! The mockumentary style is perfect for this story, and the characters are so quirky and relatable, even though they’re vampires. The scene where they try to get dressed without mirrors is comedy gold, and the werewolf pack is just hilarious. I loved it and have watched it multiple times!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of mockumentaries like ‘This is Spinal Tap’ and ‘The Office'”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dark humor and vampire comedies”
  • “People who appreciate New Zealand humor and quirky storytelling”
  • “Fans of Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s previous work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Gore and blood (though presented in a comedic context)”
  • “Occasional coarse language”
  • “Some scenes of mild horror”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “This isn’t your typical vampire flick; it’s a hilarious and clever mockumentary that cleverly skewers the genre while delivering genuine laughs. Waititi and Clement’s comedic timing is impeccable, and the supporting cast shines. It’s bloody, silly, and surprisingly heartwarming.
• The New York Times: “What We Do in the Shadows finds humor in the mundane struggles of immortal roommates. The mockumentary style works perfectly, and the deadpan delivery of the cast creates genuinely funny scenarios. It’s a fresh take on the vampire mythos with surprisingly effective special effects.
• Variety: “Clement and Waititi have crafted a comedy that is sharp, witty, and genuinely funny. Their film makes good use of its mockumentary format to explore its characters and their situations, drawing humor from the gap between what the vampires think of themselves and what the camera reveals. The result is a consistently funny and original movie.

Audience Reactions

The dry wit and perfectly timed awkwardness had everyone in stitches.: Viewers loved the fresh take on vampire lore and the relatable flatmate dynamics.

The werewolves stole the show with their transformation struggles and social awkwardness.: Many found Stu’s human normalcy amidst the supernatural chaos to be a highlight.

Overall Consensus: A hilarious and clever mockumentary that breathes new life into the vampire genre with its witty writing and relatable characters.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was largely improvised, with over 125 hours of footage shot, which took almost a year to edit down to the final runtime.”
• “Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement initially conceived the idea as a short film and spent several years developing the characters and their backstories.”
• “Many of the supporting cast members, including Stu Rutherford (Stu), were not professional actors, adding to the film’s mockumentary feel.”

🖥️ How to Watch What We Do in the Shadows?

What We Do in the Shadows is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV for rental or purchase. Check your local listings for cable VOD options as well. For physical media collectors, the film is available on DVD and Blu-ray from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed What We Do in the Shadows, you might like these similar films:

• This Is Spinal Tap (1984): Shares the mockumentary style, humor, and improvisational approach, exploring the lives of a fictional band.
• Shaun of the Dead (2004): A British horror-comedy that blends genre tropes with everyday situations and dark humor.
• Housebound (2014): Another New Zealand horror-comedy that mixes scares with quirky humor.
• Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010): A modern horror-comedy that subverts genre expectations with lovable characters in a gory setting.
• The Lost Boys (1987): A cult classic vampire film with a comedic edge and a focus on vampire subculture.

🛒 What We Do in the Shadows Related Products

• What We Do in the Shadows: The Complete Series Seasons 1-4: Enjoy every hilarious moment from the series. Binge watch your favorite vampires and werewolves.
• What We Do in the Shadows T-Shirt: Show your love for the film with a shirt featuring Vladislav, Viago, and Deacon or the werewolf pack.
• Vampires in Wellington (What We Do in the Shadows): Display your passion for the movie with exclusive action figures.
• What We Do in the Shadows Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster, perfect for any vampire fan’s room.

🎧 Soundtrack

What We Do in the Shadows features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Reflections Scatter” – performed by Module

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Ever wanted to see Nadja at her most unhinged? This compilation has you covered! Prepare for 12 minutes of laughter as we delve into her chaotic mind.

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Get ready for a laugh-out-loud journey as we count down the top 10 funniest running gags from ‘What We Do in the Shadows.’ From Nadja’s language quirks to Laszlo’s eccentric habits, this video will enhance your enjoyment of the show.

What We Do in the Shadows | Inside Season 1: What We Direct in the Shadows | FX

Attention, ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ enthusiasts! Dive behind the scenes with this exclusive featurette. See how directors Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi bring the show’s unique blend of humor and horror to life.

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