Life as a vampire is not as glamorous as it appears on the surface. They may no longer be real people, but they still have real problems. Besides struggling to keep up with the advancements of the modern world, there are also domestic issues to deal with. For example, how does one convince a vampire to wash the bloody dishes that have been accumulating in the sink for over 5 years?

In their hilarious mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows, directors Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, who also star in the film, explore what life is like for four vampires sharing a flat in modern-day Wellington, New Zealand. Viago (Waititi), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), and Vladislav (Clement) have set up a comfortable life for themselves which includes luring unexpected victims to their home for “dinner parties”. Conflict arises for the trio when their fourth roommate, the 8,000 year-old Nosferatu-like Petyr (Ben Fransham), unexpectedly turns one of their supposed meals, Nick (Cori Gonzalez-Macuer), into a vampire. Though the group is not too fond of Nick, they are absolutely smitten with his human best friend Stu (Stuart Rutherfold), a mild-manner individual who opens their eyes to modern technology such as the internet.

Waititi and Clement craft a comedy that, despite taking structural queues from faux-documentaries like This is Spinal Tap, manages to feel original. The film touches on every vampire trope imaginable and gives them all a hilarious fresh twist. Not only do they poke fun at vampire lore, but also sprinkle in numerous pop culture references as well. Everything from Interview with the Vampire to Inception is brilliantly satirized in the film. Similar to the best comedies, it will take multiple viewings to catch all the amusing lines and references in the film. Easily one of the funniest comedies of the year, What We Do in the Shadows is a film that will have you laughing long after the final credits roll.

Screens
Tonight, 7:00 PM, TIFF Bell Lightbox