Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘What We Do in the Shadows’

Written by Scott Edwards 

​I do believe that it is important to see how other people live. Being stuck in one area of the world, you never truly get to see how others go about their daily lives, well, that was until documentaries hit the scene. Although most of these films will not get the praise that they deserve since the filmmaker has one story that they want to tell and if it does not get delivered in the correct manner, it comes off as preachy, but it is good for the world to understand what else is happening. I try to watch a couple of these films a year to keep me honest and although it does not follow what I generally watch, it is good to see something different and new. 

Viago, Vladislav and Deacon are ready to start their night, but now they have a film crew following them around. Sitting down at the kitchen table to discuss what needs to be done around their flat, Deacon becomes very upset that he is being singled out for not doing the dishes. Even though it has been five years since the last time the dishes were done, it is not his fault and he exposes his fangs. Being a vampire is not an easy life and now that Viago is having problems maintaining the flat's appearance, he is demanding that everyone start to chip in.

Finding the right things to wear, the flat mates take to the streets to live up the New Zealand night life, but needing to be invited in, they are not able to partake in any of the good clubs. Winding up in their regular vampire hangout, Deacon gets his regular Jackie to find him someone to eat. Although she seems happy to help, she has been doing this job for five years and has been promised to be turned, but her patience is wearing thin these days. But she will do anything for her master, including his chores around the flat and cleaning up the killing rooms for his flat mates. Finding two people from her past to bring over for a dinner party, she has done well, but when they are not as advertised, she is punished again, but that is only the start.

Nick is pursued by the crew and taken by the oldest vampire in the house, Petyr, and changed into one as well. Nick is happy with the change since he is now able to fly and is able to open doors to the group that have previously been shut in their faces. Living the life that he has always wanted, Nick takes it to the next level and tells everyone around town that he is a vampire, breaking the rules of being a night stalker. Not knowing what this could do, Nick sees first hand that vampires are not as loved as he has seen in the movies and when a hunter shows up to the house and kills Petyr, Nick is banished from the flat. But Nick will not be gone for long as the event of the year is coming up for the creatures of night and everyone that is anyone will be there to chat, drink and feed with others like them.

So, if you did not catch it, this is a movie about a group of vampires that have a documentary group following them around. I would have never even given this movie a second look with the description, but I would have been so wrong. This is one of the funniest horror movies I have ever seen, and the group of flat mates are all magical together. Even their best human friend Stu is able to steal some scenes without having to say anything at all. Each of the vampires has their own back story, why they are there, what happened to scar them in their past lives and so on and so on. You might think that this being more of a comedy that there would not be blood, but there is a ton of blood and it does not only come from the victims. When you are looking for something a little more light hearted when it comes to horror, this is a great one to watch. You might not get nightmares, but your sides will wind up hurting. Stay Scared.

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