Going into “What We Do In The Shadows Movie”, my expectations were muted. Comedy can be so subjective, and frankly, vampire comedies weren’t exactly high on my list. I’m the type of person who finds humor in the absurd darkness of dramas and thrillers – movies like GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, ZERO THEOREM, and THE DOUBLE had me in stitches. But this film? This film genuinely surprised me with its consistent and clever humor.
From the get-go, “What We Do in the Shadows movie” throws you into a world populated with vampires, werewolves, and zombies, all presented with a wonderfully dry, mockumentary style. The premise itself is inherently funny: a documentary crew is invited into the home of three vampire flatmates to observe their daily (or nightly) lives. We have the flamboyant and theatrical vampire, the self-proclaimed “hot” vampire (because, naturally, he’s a vampire), and the stereotypical metalhead vampire with a penchant for long hair and brooding. Let’s not forget their ancient, 8,000-year-old housemate whose communication skills are… lacking, to say the least.
The movie follows these vampires as they navigate the challenges of modern society, from attempting to socialize in nightclubs to the more pressing issue of how to lure and feed on humans. These scenes are ripe with comedic situations, leading to the inevitable chaos when one of their victims manages to escape and, instead of meeting a gruesome end, becomes the newest, and arguably most inept, member of their undead household. This newbie vampire, barely a century old and brimming with youthful stupidity, brings his completely clueless human friend into the mix, setting the stage for even more hilarious mishaps. To reveal more would spoil the delightful comedic anarchy that unfolds. The jokes come thick and fast, so much so that you might find yourself still laughing at one gag while another one hits you.
What truly elevates “What We Do in the Shadows movie” is its diverse comedic arsenal. It’s not reliant on cheap laughs. You won’t find cringe-worthy, poorly delivered jokes or immature humor here. Instead, the film masterfully employs a wide range of comedic styles. There’s physical comedy and slapstick, perfectly timed facial expressions and body language (especially from the camp vampire who acts as the documentary’s de facto guide – his eye rolls and subtle reactions are comedy gold), and a strong undercurrent of sarcasm and satire throughout.
The movie maintains a high comedic momentum from start to finish, feeling both effortless and genuinely funny. Despite a relatively simple plot, the mockumentary format allows the humor to flow naturally. The sheer variety of comedic approaches, from subtle satire to outright slapstick, is what prevents the humor from ever feeling forced or stale.
Leaving the cinema after watching “What We Do in the Shadows movie”, my face genuinely ached from laughing. In just 87 minutes, the film had the entire audience in stitches. Looking around as I left, I saw people of all ages wearing huge smiles, animatedly discussing their favorite scenes. Even now, writing this review, I find myself chuckling as memories of the movie flood back. This is a comedy that truly delivers.
