Overview
A hilarious take on the struggles of modern vampires living together in a flat.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- deadpan
- irreverent
- group movie night
- halloween viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a smart, fresh, and exceptionally funny vampire comedy that uses mockumentary form to revitalize familiar genre conventions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav apply flatmate routines and domestic complaints to the practical demands of being vampires.
A camera crew records interviews and everyday footage of the vampire household while preserving documentary-style observation.
Sunlight, reflections, blood-feeding, nightclub access, and vampire rivalries become sources of satire and domestic comedy.
Centuries-old vampires struggle with rent, chore wheels, nightlife, clothing, and other mundane features of modern New Zealand life.
Films like What We Do in the Shadows, and why
Best in Show
shares mockumentary structure, ensemble comedy, improvised-feeling interviews, and affectionately absurd genre satire
The Cabin in the Woods
shares deadpan supernatural comedy, eccentric housemates, and playful subversion of familiar horror conventions
Dark Shadows
shares comedic vampire mythology, gothic imagery, and irreverent treatment of immortal outsiders adapting to modern life
The Office
shares documentary realism, workplace-like ensemble dynamics, and humor drawn from mundane routines colliding with bizarre premises
Movie Details
- Directors
- Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
- Release Date
- 2014-06-19
- Runtime
- 86 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (4085)
Cast
- Jemaine Clement
- Taika Waititi
- Jonny Brugh
- Cori Gonzalez-Macuer
- Stu Rutherford
- Ben Fransham
- Jackie van Beek
- Elena Stejko
- Jason Hoyte
- Karen O'Leary
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is What We Do in the Shadows about?
- Ancient vampires navigate chores, nightlife, bloodlust, and roommate politics in a gloriously deadpan New Zealand mockumentary.
- What is What We Do in the Shadows like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of What We Do in the Shadows as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is What We Do in the Shadows violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in What We Do in the Shadows as moderate.
- What did critics think of What We Do in the Shadows?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a smart, fresh, and exceptionally funny vampire comedy that uses mockumentary form to revitalize familiar genre conventions.
- Which films are like What We Do in the Shadows?
- Films with a similar feel include Best in Show, The Cabin in the Woods, Dark Shadows, and The Office.
- How long is What We Do in the Shadows?
- What We Do in the Shadows runs 86 minutes.
- Where can I watch What We Do in the Shadows?
- In United States, What We Do in the Shadows is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
