• About
  • Editorial Board
    • Staff Writers
  • Advertise
  • Join Us
  • Archives
The Wellesley News -
  • News and Features
    • Professor Phillip Levine Discusses “A Problem of Fit”
      Professor Phillip Levine Discusses “A Problem of Fit”
    • CS Department shifts CS 111 course structure
      CS Department shifts CS 111 course structure
    • WAMI and WRJ host discussion on criminalization of abortion
      WAMI and WRJ host discussion on criminalization of abortion
    • News
      • News in Brief
      • Nation & World
      • President’s Corner
      • Senate Report
    • Features
      • Alumnae Spotlight
      • Eye on Science
      • Faculty Focus
      • LGBTQIA+ Column
  • Opinions
    • Why Art Basel is partially responsible for Miami’s gentrification
      Why Art Basel is partially responsible for Miami’s gentrification
    • It’s time to put traditional grading to the test
      It’s time to put traditional grading to the test
    • What can the fall of Z-library teach us about textbook accessibility?
      What can the fall of Z-library teach us about textbook accessibility?
    • Staff Editorial
    • Letters to the Editor
    • The Elephant in the Room
  • Arts
    • No image
      Pentimento’s Open Mic is Like an Old Patchwork Quilt–Worn, Yet Cozy
    • No image
      Kanye’s Antisemitism Steps on his Shoe Brand
    • Lousy Realities: Luca Guadagnino (2015)
      Lousy Realities: Luca Guadagnino (2015)
    • Arts In The News
    • Reviews
    • Music Peek
    • Books Before Boys
  • Sports and Wellness
    • Student-Athlete of October
      Student-Athlete of October
    • Athletics Update Oct. 19, 2022
      Athletics Update Oct. 19, 2022
    • The Case for Body Neutrality
      The Case for Body Neutrality
    • Athlete of the Week
    • Boston Sports Update
    • The Vegan Digest
    • The SHE Corner
  • The Wellesley Snooze
    • Top 10 Girlbosses who aren’t alumnae, but I would totally believe you if you told me they were
      Top 10 Girlbosses who aren’t alumnae, but I would totally believe you if you told me they were
    • Wendy Wellesley’s Thanksgiving Menu
      Wendy Wellesley’s Thanksgiving Menu
    • The Snooze Awards for the Best Tanners of 2022
      The Snooze Awards for the Best Tanners of 2022
  • Miscellanea
    • President’s Column: The Butterfly Effect
      President’s Column: The Butterfly Effect
    • Administrators shocked to learn that students dislike being left in dark
      Administrators shocked to learn that students dislike being left in dark
    • 50 Lies You Tell Yourself in Order to Survive Until Graduation
      50 Lies You Tell Yourself in Order to Survive Until Graduation
    • The Dose
    • The Olive Branch
    • Multimedia
      • Galleries
      • Infographics
      • Videos
By Hanna Nicole Fernan Arts, ReviewsOctober 29, 2021

The Fluid Hilarity in “What We Do in the Shadows”

"What We Do In the Shadows" promotional poster courtesy of FX

Halloween is a great time to indulge in everything scary, whether that be decorations and costumes or horror movies and TV shows. However, as we enter the notorious midterm- and cold-filled part of the semester, it may be overwhelming to know where to start. I highly recommend the FX series “What We Do in the Shadows” — a vampire mockumentary, based on Taika Waititi’s film of the same name, currently in its third season of antics and scares. 

Like Waititi’s film, this TV series focuses on a group of four vampires navigating modern-day Staten Island. We follow the lives of Nandor the Relentless from Al Quolanudar (current southern Iran), Nadja of Antipaxos, her husband Laszlo Cravenzworth from England and, more uniquely, the energy vampire Colin Robinson — who feeds off people’s emotional energy instead of their blood — in addition to Guillermo de la Cruz, Nandor’s human servant (aka his familiar) who helps the household.

“What We Do in the Shadows” remains playful in its presentation, with funny interactions between the characters and the human documentary crew behind the camera in a variety of settings — their home, Atlantic City and even a gym. The show also continues to play with vampire clichés, especially with the Twilight-inspired conflict between vampires and werewolves, a tension first emphasized in Waititi’s film and in many seasons of the series. In season three, this is hilariously referenced with Nandor’s recurrent lover Gail also having a werewolf boyfriend and more specifically through a kickball game referencing Twilight’s notable baseball scene, even soundtracked with Muse’s “Supermassive Black Hole” for full Twilight effect. 

With this light-heartedness, this season still feels a lot different compared to the last two. There’s slightly less focus on world-building, despite the several introductions to new characters like sirens, a cult of vampires that don’t want to be vampires, gossiping statue gargoyles and the first vampire to ever exist. Instead, this newest season emphasizes a change in dynamics, as the vampires deal with leading the local Vampiric Council after the vampire massacre in season two. There’s more attention to our main vampires’ navigation of themselves, emotions, personal problems and general existence. The latter applies mainly to Nandor, as he deals with an eternal life crisis, questioning if there’s more to being a vampire than “lifeless killing and bloodlust.” His questioning and gradual pursuit of a purpose stands out in the light-hearted atmosphere, since it becomes a lot more realistic and applicable to how exhaustive our world is as now. 

Altogether, season three of “What We Do in the Shadows” is unique in its gradual, existential focus on vampire life, yet it’s still effective in maintaining its fun, carefree atmosphere. “What We Do in the Shadows” is a clear must-watch for all, especially with the season finale on Oct. 29 and the fourth season renewed for 2022.

Share on

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Google +
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Previous articleTheater kids: drop everything and read this modern Mamma Mia (Books Before Boys review)
Next articleTed Lasso Season 2: A Rollercoaster Ride of Emotions

You may also like

Pentimento’s Open Mic is Like an Old Patchwork Quilt–Worn, Yet Cozy

Kanye’s Antisemitism Steps on his Shoe Brand

Lousy Realities: Luca Guadagnino (2015)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive our weekly digest in your inbox

* indicates required

Top Articles

Sorry. No data so far.

Recent Tweets

Tweets by @Wellesley_News

The independent student newspaper of Wellesley College since 1901.

Sign up to receive our weekly digest in your inbox

* indicates required

  • About
  • Editorial Board
    • Staff Writers
  • Advertise
  • Join Us
  • Archives
COPYRIGHT © 2023 THE WELLESLEY NEWS
Back to top