Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement’s mockumentary-style dark comedy returned for a fifth season this past summer. And, along with all of the classic vampire hijinks and absurd idiocracy the television show is known for, it brought heartfelt discussion on the nature of love, commitment, and friendship.
The season follows the same mis-matched vampire roommates, Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), Lazlo (Matt Berry), Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch), and their familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), as they struggle their way through fitting in, and possibly taking over, both human and vampire society around their home in Staten Island, New York. However, this season comes with a new twist.
Guillermo, unbeknownst to the vampires he lives with, has taken it upon himself to fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a vampire by whatever means necessary. This means being turned by someone other than his master, Nandor, an action akin to treason within their community.
As Guillermo adjusts to this, albeit incomplete, transition, he is forced to confront the reality of his actions as each member of the group individually discovers what he has done.
Let’s be honest, this show isn’t for everyone. But, for those of us who find humor in the absurd and taboo, such as anthropomorphic animal hybrids and centuries-old vampires losing their roots while living in American suburbs, there is nothing better.
I particularly enjoyed the vampire roommates’ unconventional, and often gory ways, of expressing love and care towards each other. Although this affection is generally undercut by their own stupidity and selfish lack of humanity.
While this season’s final episode felt lackluster and diminished the stakes (pun intended) set up earlier in the season, I cannot wait for more episodes and more ridiculous shenanigans only a group of oblivious vampires could get into.
“What We Do in the Shadows” is available on Hulu.
