13 Nights of Shocktober: What We Do in the Shadows

by A.J. 

This is my favorite time of year, second only to Christmas. Autumn has arrived, the weather is cooling down, and October becomes the month long celebration of scary movies called Shocktober. There are a lot of horror movies out there, but as a genre, horror is still looked down upon by some mainstream critics and moviegoers. It doesn’t help that, admittedly, there are so few quality horror movies made but, like comedy, it’s a very difficult and subjective genre. So, in the days leading up Halloween I’ll be posting some recommendations for scary movies to help you celebrate Shocktober.

Night 11: Horror-Comedy Night, “I think we drink virgin blood because it sounds cool.”

What We Do In the Shadows

I’ve always been suspicious of the easy, instant, and unquestioned coolness and sexiness of vampires. Every screen representation of vampires portrays them as outsiders, but as cool outsiders. What We Do In the Shadows is about a group of undead, uncool outsiders, which makes them the most relatable vampires I’ve ever seen. This is the most delightful and hilarious comedy I’ve seen in years. Have I laughed as hard at other recent comedies? Yes, but none have had such a lasting effect on me. I saw this movie in theaters back in February of this year, and I still smile whenever I think about it.

What We Do in the Shadows was co-written and co-directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, who also play two of the lead characters. Clement is best known for being part of the funny folk music duo Flight of the Conchords. He starred in the HBO series named after the duo. Taika Waititi wrote and directed some Flight of the Conchords episodes. The movie is shot as a documentary that follows four vampire friends and roommates in New Zealand as they prepare to attend the Unholy Masquerade, the biggest social event of the underworld.

This movie has an incredibly lovable band of misfits for its main characters. Each character portrays a different style of vampire. Viago (Waititi) is a foppish 18^th century vampire, like Anne Rice’s characters in Interview with the Vampire. Vladislav (Clement) is a medieval, feudal tyrant, like Vlad the Impaler (if he really was a vampire). Deacon (played by Jonathan Brugh) is a 19^th century Romantic era vampire, like Dracula, and Petyr (played by Ben Fransham) is a monstrous Nosferatu style vampire. Their dynamic is thrown for a loop for when Petyr turns one of their intended victims into a vampire. This new vampire is Nick (played by Cori Gonzalez-Macuer). He is young and hip and trendy and takes to being vampire very well. He walks down a busy sidewalk shouting, “I’m Twilight! That’s me!”

This is a horror comedy that is heavy on comedy and light on horror. There is not much gore but there are some bloody scenes played for laughs (Viago bites someone then can’t control the wild spurts of blood). The gags are very funny and clever. The vampires love going out but can’t tell if their outfits work because they don’t have reflections. Once they go out, they have to get the bouncer of a club to invite them in since vampires can’t enter any place they’re not invited. Viago, Vladislav, and Deacon all become obsessed with Nick’s blandly average human friend, Stu, who shows them how to use the internet, which leads to many laughs. One of the funniest scenes in the movie is when the vampires run into their natural rivals, a pack of werewolves led by Rhys Darby, who also had a part in the Flight of the Conchords series.

All of the vampires have backstories, hopes, and regrets that feel real and make them fully developed characters. The scenes of them having arguments about whose turn it is to do the dishes help, too. What We Do in the Shadows has loads of charm and delight but is also sincere without being overly dramatic. This film loves its characters and never makes fun of them. The pathos is genuine and well earned. This isn’t disposable comedy; jokes are great, but jokes with memorable characters are better. Whether you like horror or comedy, or both, or like vampires or are indifferent towards them, like me, What We Do in the Shadows will deliver on every front. When I make Best of 2015 list, I know this movie will be included, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I watch it next Shocktober, too.