You are here:

What We Do in the Shadows

Name: What We Do in the Shadows
Director: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
Released: 2014
Duration: 86 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

2014

Director

Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi

Runtime

86 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

What We Do in the Shadows is a postmodern deconstruction of the vampire genre. It succeeds by dismantling the 'macho' archetype, replacing stoic predators with socially inept, domestic housemates. This subversion of traditional power dynamics provides a progressive narrative impact despite demographic limitations. While the film lacks significant racial and LGBTQ+ visibility, it uses its comedic tone to challenge established social orders and institutions. The creative direction prioritizes situational ethics and secularism over traditional reverence for the supernatural. Ultimately, the film's diversity is found in its structural subversion rather than its casting.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does What We Do in the Shadows have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on a male-dominated domestic sphere and avoids explicit same-sex intimacy or non-cisgender identities. However, it successfully sidesteps harmful predatory stereotypes common in horror.

How does What We Do in the Shadows portray gender?

Fair

The narrative deconstructs masculine hierarchies by portraying powerful vampires as bickering, chore-obsessed housemates. However, the core ensemble lacks significant women's ability to drive the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What We Do in the Shadows?

Limited

The ensemble is primarily composed of characters of European descent, adhering to traditional Gothic clichés rather than utilizing diverse casting within the household.

How does What We Do in the Shadows represent religion and culture?

Good

The film excels by treating supernatural rituals and ancient traditions with comedic irreverence. It uses moral relativism to disrupt conventional notions of good versus evil.

Does What We Do in the Shadows include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature prominent characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Subverts traditional masculine hierarchies by portraying powerful vampires as incompetent, domestic housemates.
Uses moral relativism to transform traditionally monstrous figures into sympathetic, mundane individuals.
Challenges established social orders through a postmodern, irreverent comedic lens.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant racial and ethnic diversity within the primary ensemble.
Features a lack of prominent LGBTQ+ characters and non-cisgender identities.
Provides limited women's ability to drive the story within the core group of protagonists.

Official Synopsis

Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.

How are these scores produced? →