What We Do in the Shadows
2014 · Directed by Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
Original language: English
- comedy
- horror
The story
Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.
What it’s like
Handheld, deadpan documentary framing: a camera crew trails the flatmates through cramped, dim Wellington rooms lit by lamplight, flickering TV glow and the cold grey of overcast daytime, with a hard-edged daylight blue that makes the undead look faintly unwell. The palette is muted and domestic (beige carpets, clashing wallpaper, cheap furniture), while the camera holds on awkward pauses and unhurried reaction shots that let the comedy breathe. Sound leans on the mock-serious voiceover, offbeat needle-drop pop, and the occasional eerie synth sting that is played for laughs rather than fear. Vibe: dry, affectionate, slightly shabby, a sort of wry suburban absurdity. It suits a lazy Saturday, a late-night laugh with friends, or a comfort rewatch when you want something light. Pacing is brisk and episodic, built on quick cuts and running gags, and the emotional register is warm, with the central housemates' bickering and loyalty giving the chaos a steady heart. Intensity is low to moderate: stylised comic violence, blood spatter and gore played for slapstick, occasional sexual innuendo, and no real dread or cruelty. It is for people who want horror-adjacent silliness that is gentle at heart and easy to laugh at.
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