What We Do In The Shadows

Critics Consensus

Smarter, fresher, and funnier than a modern vampire movie has any right to be, What We Do in the Shadows is bloody good fun.

96%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 177

86%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 27,037
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Movie Info

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS chronicles the adventures of four vampire roommates trying to get by in a modern world that's not always hospitable to the undead. Clement and Waititi, creators of the HBO hit series "Flight of the Conchords," co-wrote, co-directed, and co-star in this hilarious send-up in which an endearingly unhip quartet of friends reveal to us or, rather, to the documentary crew that's filming them, the details of their daily-make that nightly-routine. Ranging in age from 183 to 8,000, and in appearance from adorably youthful to Nosferatu-crusty, they squabble over household chores, struggle to keep up with the latest trends in technology and fashion, antagonize the local werewolves, cruise clubs for lovely ladies, and deal with the rigors of living on a very, very strict diet. The film also stars Rhys Darby, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, and Jackie Van Beek, and was produced by Waititi, Chelsea Winstanley and Emanuel Michael. (C) Paladin

Cast

Jemaine Clement
as Vladislav
Taika Waititi
as Viago
Jonathon Brugh
as Deacon
Cori Gonzalez-Macuer
as Nick
Stu Rutherford
as Stu
Ben Fransham
as Petyr

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Critic Reviews for What We Do In The Shadows

All Critics (177) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (170) | Rotten (7)

  • If Twilight made you queasy and Dark Shadows felt like a missed opportunity, this pitch-perfect genre spoof is worth relishing.

    Mar 13, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Claudia Puig

    USA Today
    Top Critic

  • I'm so sick of vampires I'd have pounded a stake into my own heart not to have to watch this, but it turns out to be a pitch-perfect spoof of MTV's The Real World and a sly satire on millennial slackerdom.

    Mar 6, 2015 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    J. R. Jones

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • The New Zealand-made art comedy What We Do in the Shadows is a bracing reminder of how the right burst of energy and style breathes fresh ideas into a genre threatened with creative exhaustion.

    Mar 6, 2015 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Patrick Z. McGavin

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • If we see two or three more comedies this year that know what they're doing the way this one does, it'll be a very good year indeed.

    Mar 6, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Michael Phillips

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • Maybe it's something in the water Down Under, but these fellows have managed to concoct a whole new perspective on fangsters.

    Mar 6, 2015 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

    Tom Long

    Detroit News
    Top Critic

  • Shadows takes what could have been a one-joke sketch and turns it into a very funny, and occasionally even touching, take on brotherhood and friendship...It's certainly more authentic and realistic than recent seasons of The Real World.

    Feb 26, 2015 | Rating: 4/5

    Cary Darling

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for What We Do In The Shadows

  • Aug 29, 2016
    It has a good premise of filming a mockumentary of vampires living in suburban Wellington but the casting and acting were simply terrible. It's not funny as advertised. They tried with the limited budget but it didn't really work.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • May 01, 2016
    This clever, fun mockumentary from New Zealand about four vampires sharing a flat is a refreshing take on the genre. It has the vampires wrestling with everyday problems, and carrying their human personalities, foibles, and cultural references from hundreds of years ago forward. There were only a couple of laugh out loud moments, but the movie's wry humor had me smiling throughout.
    Antonius B Super Reviewer
  • Nov 01, 2015
    Not as good as advertised. Silly and sophomoric, which is too bad.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Aug 17, 2015
    The idea was funny and certain points were hilarious. The night out on the town was funny but the humour grew tiresome over time, I think I had this pegged as one of the funniest movies out there and it wasn't what I expected. I enjoyed the film and the concept was original but I don't think the humour was overly intelligent or cult status worthy. The documentary idea is probably what annoyed me the most, this isn't a spinal tap so I'm a little shocked at the high reviews. The film has ambition and the creative talent behind this film keep it from slipping into average. I had a few laughs and the vampires have chemistry, much like the werewolves. 17-11-2017.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
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