What We Do in the Shadows

Rating: 8/10 (28 April 2015)

Strictly speaking, What We Do in the Shadows is another horror pseudo-documentary (at first sight), but its sense of humor and naughty execution bring it closer to the style of sitcoms such as The Office and Parks and Recreation, and the final result is an unusual film with likable characters, sharp humor and very appropriate observations about the clichés of horror cinema. Thanks to that ingenious combination of elements, What We Do in the Shadows feels very different to the usual "found footage" films. The hand-held camera technique adapts itself quite well to the screenplay, and there is no need to make any traps to follow the characters, even during the most "extreme" moments of paranormal activity; and when the camera can't be present, we always have the alternative of the "recreations". Some people might say that What We Do in the Shadows has a diffuse screenplay lacking of a formal structure; in other words, there isn't too much story, and besides, it occasionally rambles between abrupt events and periods of a certain slowness; however, I think that was an intentional decision in order to highlight a "reality" which doesn't have predetermined dramatic arches, but the arbitrary ups and downs of daily life which even vampires can't avoid. Discussions about dirty frets; how dealing with a temperamental "roomie"; reaching an agreement on which nightclub to go... those are the narrative blocks of What We Do in the Shadows, and even though they don't always fit correctly, I estimate that the point of the film wasn't telling a linear story, but evoking the coexistence between eccentric characters who combine the bloody nature of the traditional vampire with the clumsiness from "nerds" who are outside society and unable to adapt themselves to the fast changes of contemporary civilization (at least until someone teaches them to use cellphones). It might sound strange, but I found What We Do in the Shadows similar to Only Lovers Left Alive; the tone from both films is very different, but their characters equally suffer the social isolation and emotional loneliness which define them beyond vampirism itself. However, What We Do in the Shadows adds the humor of the trivial in order to balance the tragedy of eternal life. Or as eternal as it can be in company of distracted friends who leave the windows open.