Biting comedy

Rating: 8/10 (11 September 2017)

A clever 'mockumentary' that follows the travails of four vampires sharing a house in modern Wellington NZ, "What We Do in the Shadows" tags many of the tropes associated with the vampire myth as the foursome struggle to get along and get enough to drink. The film is largely a 'big in-joke' and aficionados of the genre will recognise each of bloodsuckers from movies/books but even if vampires are not your cup of blood, it is still pretty funny. Some of the jokes and sight-gags work better than others but the best parts are brilliant: especially the interactions with the vampires' immortal enemies, the werewolves. Be forewarned: at times the movie is a bit crude (even the werewolves are swear-wolves at times) and gruesome (four guys who drink blood sharing a house, what do you think the kitchen looks like?). Best line: Vlad, on using the legendary sexuality of the vampire to attract prey "I am the bait and the trap."