It’s always nice to see a series based on a movie really take off and become its own thing, find its own voice, and discover its own sea legs. And FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows,” based on the feature film of the same name by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, has certainly down that. While the show, like the original movie, was originally about documenting the nightly exploits of vampire roommates and the hilarity of vampires having to deal with the mundane—cleaning, rent, chores, the rules of the house, and living among humans without being caught— FX’s ‘Shadows’ became more about navigating the modern world of Staten Island and venturing more outside.
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Through the help of their human familiar, Guillermo (Harvey Guillén)—a concept not introduced in the original film— the vampires of this household, Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch), tried to learn to co-exist with the modern world and humans, still feeding off them naturally, but not making a big spectacle of themselves. More importantly, ‘Shadows’ took on the theme of family and four dysfunctional vampires with feelings, issues, and personal burdens to overcome—‘Shadows’ became funny on a deeper level, especially via Nandor’s insecurity and profound sense to find love.
Here’s the official season four synopsis, picking up where season three left off, the gang broken up and scattered to the winds.
In the shocking season three finale, Nandor, Guillermo, and Nadja left Staten Island to go their separate ways while Laszlo stayed home to care for the creature that clawed its way out of the chest cavity of the deceased Colin Robinson — aka Baby Colin. This season, the vampires return to Staten Island to find their mansion on the verge of total structural collapse — and with no money to repair it. While Nandor’s eternal search for love finally yields results, Nadja finally realizes her dream of opening the hottest vampire nightclub in the Tri-State Area. Laszlo struggles with the question of nature versus nurture as he tries raising Baby Colin to be anything other than an energy vampire. And even Guillermo finds himself on a powerful emotional track that touches on his love for his family, and for others.
Season four continues to make the case for blood and comedy with more strange beasts, surprising guest stars, and tap dancing than ever. And this time with just a touch of home renovation. “What We Do In The Shadows” debuts July 12 on FX. Watch the first official trailer for the new season below, and we gotta say “Ra Ra Rasputin” by Boney M. is a killer choice here.
