Comedies and horror never blended so well as with the movie “What We Do in the Shadows”, released in 2014 from Taika Waititi, directed by Jemaine Clement. The film follows an army of vampires living out their days in a residence shared in Wellington, New Zealand. These are not quite the garden variety murdering vampires-they’re strange, cute, and almost stupid. Mockumentary style, this movie peels through the banal battles of these dead-again to bring out the laughter and scare.
Plot Summary
For hundreds of years, four vampires have been sharing the same apartment. Every one of these vampires has his own personality that infuses their relationship. Viago is the uptight and well-mannered vampire who usually organizes the group. What We Do in the Shadows Movie, Vladislav is a former tyrant with a troubled romantic past, while Deacon is the “rebel” of the group. Lastly, there’s Petyr, an ancient vampire who rarely speaks but adds a touch of terror to the household. The plot unfolds when these vampires try to cope with the modern world, facing the challenges that many humans face: paying rent and keeping friendships.
What Makes the Movie Unique?
“What We Do in the Shadows” is unique because of the funny use of humor in a horror movie. In fact, the movie humanizes these vampires by portraying them as flawed characters. There aren’t horror clichés there; it just takes up a form of a documentary and then makes all the characters come off as real. One would end up laughing out all these weird behaviors you’d go through and how hard life was without taking it away from that creepy environment. Well, that is the mix, or in other words, clash of comedy and horror; you watch it till the very end of it all.
Character Traits
There must be something each and every one of the characters bring in to make this a thriller and believable for the viewer as it is with us. Some of the funny moments come with Viago’s obsession over order and cleanliness, such as when he tries to impose rules in the house. Vladislav is a former powerful vampire who now lies in his past heartbreak, which gives rise to both funny and touching scenes. What We Do in the Shadows Movie, Deacon is the rebel element of the group and always manages to cause trouble. The last one is Petyr, who is the oldest vampire; he barely speaks but attracts attention because of his eerie presence. The dynamics in these characters are the ultimate blend of humor and tension.
Features of “What We Do in the Shadows”
What makes the movie successful lies in several elements it adopted:
Mockumentary Style: The movie happens to be a documentary-type film that makes it authentic. All the “interviews” and such handheld work only add onto the humor and make people feel that they are becoming part of the story themselves.
Unique Characters: Every vampire has a personal characteristic which makes the storyline so different. The actions and expressions of the vampires themselves indicate what kind of quirks they possess, and their relation makes sense.
Relatable Humor: The movie can be very funny, keeping aside that it is talking about vampires. Most problems faced by the vampires here resemble life. Whether to fight about chores or solve their relations, the readers see their own selves through the characters.
The movie has a great deal of laugh-out-loud moments with genuinely eerie scenes that keep the film from ever becoming too comedic or too scary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the genre of “What We Do in the Shadows”?
It is a horror-comedy, a mix of genres to create a unique blend of humor and a very spooky atmosphere. The style of mockumentary keeps the film funny but full of a spooky atmosphere.
Who directed “What We Do in the Shadows”?
The movie was written and directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. Both are comedians and are now world-renowned celebrities.
Are there sequels or spin-offs of the movie?
Yes, the television series adaptation of “What We Do in the Shadows” was released in 2019. The idea is developed with new characters and storylines but is maintained with the same style and humor.
Is “What We Do in the Shadows” suitable for all audiences?
The movie is rated R, thus not suitable for young audiences. It contains some violent scenes and dark humor.
What makes “What We Do in the Shadows” such an attractive film?
What’s very interesting about this film is that it has something very unique to offer with respect to its humor and horror. Its mockumentary style and relatable characters make it stand out amongst other vampire films.
The Cultural Impact of the Film
This has enabled “What We Do in the Shadows” to win the hearts of hundreds and thousands of fans around the world. What made vampires unique was lost on the vampires, as this movie makes them seem so human. Being human, these creatures can extend their impact on horror-comedies in films and shows.
The mockumentary style gives the storyline of the movie a touch.
The mockumentary style of the movie makes it appear like a reality film. The camera crew seems to be actually following these vampires as they go about their day. What We Do in the Shadows Movie, This is how it could be when characters in a horror film are seen speaking to the camera, then acting out a scene as if they were just narrating it. This helps create natural humor and helps keep the horror movie a bit more balanced.
Why Humor Is Essential to Horror
Humor is one of the vital aspects of horror-comedy. It serves as a source of relief in some very intense scenes. In “What We Do in the Shadows,” it is the core element. Humor makes vampires approachable, less scary, and the viewers could relate to these characters on a personal level despite their supernatural nature.
TV Series: The World of Shadows Expands
Its success was not lost on producers as a television series was made that premiered in 2019. It is the tale of another clique of vampires, this time located in Staten Island, New York. With different characters and location, it retained all the comedy and panache that the documentary had been. This series took the concept to the mass media and remains to be one of the most highly lauded and develops the film’s universe.
Iconic Moments and Lines
One of the most graphic scenes is when Viago tries to cook dinner for a human guest. His good intent is comically disastrous. Not too easy to forget either is Vladislav trying to hypnotize people, where usually he fails in quite laughable ways. Some quotations like “Werewolves, not swearwolves” have become folklore up to date, embodying the wit of horror brought about by this movie.
The Legacy of “What We Do in the Shadows”
“What We Do in the Shadows” has been engraved in people’s minds for a long time. It opened up many more projects that could put together comedy and horror. Now, this is proven because the movie has been very successful and has inspired a popular TV show, indicating that audiences like this genre. Its influence is now being felt in modern stories about vampires, as they inspire the creators to move out of the boundaries set by traditional genres.
