The time has come for What We Do in the Shadows and its motley crew of immortal misfits to take their final bows. For over half a decade now, FX’s lauded vampire mockumentary has been sinking its comedic fangs into the necks of audiences worldwide.
Inspired by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s beloved 2014 indie film, the series kicked off in 2019 by transplanting the kooky flatmates from Wellington to Staten Island. There, Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin Robinson have spent the past seasons bickering, scheming, and generally botching their quest to conquer the borough. But all frighteningly funny things must come to an end, and so season six marks the last dance for these Staten Island supernatural oddballs.
Premiering last October, the opening episodes of the final run saw some new faces and familiar faces in new places. Chief among them was Guillermo, now freed from his centuries-serving duties but struggling to cut ties with his vampire “family.” Meanwhile, the return of an old housemate, Jerry, stirred up doubts about the directionless roommates’ eternal mission.
Through political power plays and paranormal pratfalls, seasons past have proven these creatures of the night to be masters of generating fresh laughs from vampire antics. And so, as season six unfolds, fans brace for one last round of absurdity—and a fittingly fun finale for the much-loved show that has sunk its comedic hooks so deep into popular culture.
The Dawning of a New Night
Life goes on for the household at Staten Island, even for those whose own lives ended centuries ago. Season six finds the vampire roommates in a state of transition as they adjust to changes both new and newly acknowledged.
Having departed his familiar duties, Guillermo sets out to forge his own path in the human world. His new job at a financial firm seems like the perfect fresh start, but his former masters struggle to accept that his centuries of service have come to an end. As Guillermo adapts to independence, the vampires belatedly realize how dependent they’ve become.
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It’s not long before they come knocking at Guillermo’s door, seeking the support and stable role he long provided. Nandor and Nadja take things further by infiltrating his workplace, though their meddling stems more from care for Guillermo than any desire to sabotage his autonomy. With the vampires struggling and Guillermo finding his feet, a new harmony must be found.
The household is thrown further off balance with the return of Jerry, a roommate forgotten in a half-century of slumber. Woken to a changed world, Jerry pushes the stagnating vampires to reconsider their directionless quest for power. But revival stirs turmoil, reawakening old divisions as each vampire pursues long-held dreams.
Amid the upheaval, Laszlo and Colin embark on experiments of their own, reviving corpses with macabre methodology yet bonding in darkly comic ways. Their exploits epitomize the season’s blend of modern societal jabs and timeless character quirks.
With new challenges and shifting roles for all, season six promises further surprises as the premiere’s mysteries unfold. But through upsets and absurdities, the bonds of this makeshift family endure. For however long remains, their misadventures continue.
Evolving for the Final Curtain
As the end draws near, Season 6 casts each character in a new light. Guillermo, liberated from his familiar duties, navigates independence from the only family he’s ever known. Without Guillermo’s stabilizing presence, the vampires flounder—but also bond together in new ways. And one slumbering stranger’s return sparks change for all.
Having regained his humanity, Guillermo braces for the next chapter. Establishing himself proves tricky with meddlesome roommates “helping.” But in striving to stand alone, Guillermo discovers an inner strength to guide his way.
With their caregiver gone, the vampires flounder. Nandor shifts between missing Guillermo and negating reliance on “inferior” humans. Laszlo and Nadja bicker more loudly without a buffer. Only Colin fully appreciates his solitude.
Their discord peaks with Jerry’s revival. Like an errant uncle, Jerry rouses dormant ambitions and rivalries with abrasive reminders of stagnation. His cut-and-dry vampire ways clash with the household’s lax customs.
Yet beneath disruptions, deeper bonds emerge. Absence teaches the vampires that Guillermo isn’t replaceable, nor is his friendship with replaceable people. In encouraging each other’s pursuits, their care evolves from codependence into true care.
Even stalwart Nadja softens her smothering as Guillermo finds confidence. And insecure Colin rediscovers purpose, assisting Laszlo’s experiments rather than replacements.
Through upheaval, the characters strengthen their connections. Their growing gives the final season heart as these death-defying groups learn that life’s sweetest blood is drawn from caring for one another.
Journeys Into the Night
Change permeates the world of What We Do in the Shadows this season. Once settled in their ways, vampires and humans alike now traverse new paths.
Guillermo strikes out to stand alone, challenged to forge purpose without his role as familiar. The vampires too face an identity crisis of sorts in his absence, their placid pursuit of conquest disrupted.
More uncertainty arises when Jerry reappears, rattling norms eased over eras. His presence tests bonds and resurrects dormant longings, stirring unease with questions of aimless direction.
Through it all, the show carries familiar tones of wry humor. Its formula of horror-tinged absurdity remains as reliably hilarious as ever.
Yet this season hints at deeper themes. Its characters confront what gives their lives meaning, whether eternal or not. Guillermo finds his place is not in the shadows, while the vampires learn relying on another’s light leaves them lost in the dark.
Change also breathes new life into the story. Familiar patterns feel fresh through altered eyes. Cameos from old characters spark intrigue for their reframed roles, while cryptic plots keep viewers rapt.
Heart remains at the core. For all their surreal misadventures, genuine care underlies this found family’s madcap dynamic. Even in uncertainty, they face the unknown together, bonded closer by what they’ve survived.
Now in a bittersweet home stretch, What We Do in the Shadows continues evolving into itself. Its characters mature as the end nears, leaving viewers to savor the last drops of comedy and emotion before the immortal story concludes.
Scene Stealers in the Shadows
It would be no exaggeration to call the cast of What We Do in the Shadows one of the all-time great comedy ensembles. Over six seasons, these actors have sinking their teeth into roles that could sustain an eternity of performances.
Kayvan Novak brings sly humor as the bumblingyet bloodthirsty Nandor, slipping effortlessly between ancestral accent and modern cadences. As Laszlo, Matt Berry lets his smooth-talking libertine shine in each indelibly quotable line.
Natasia Demetriou lights up scenes as the impulsive Nadja, toggling between ferocity and folly on a dime. Mark Proksch underplays Colin Robinson’s energy-leeching to comedic brilliance, lending his deadpan wit to any scene.
But the breakout star has been Harvey Guillén. In Guillermo, he’s created one of television’s most relatable Everymen, whether facing vampiric bosses or the real world. His asides to the camera break the fourth wall like no other, inviting us in to share exasperated inside jokes.
Together, this cast’s comedic alchemy works magic. Improvised spins on scenarios cooked up in the writers’ room feel like decades-old running gags. Exchanges brim with ad-libbed humor.
Memorable scenes come so easily; it’s no wonder they crack each other up during takes. From Berry’s grandiose flirting to Novak nailing impressions, each brings eccentric characters vividly to life.
Now in their final bows, this ensemble cements their place among comedy’s legends. Their mastery of absurdity, macabre, and merriment is a cinematic gift for the ages—and a hell of a way to go out. With talents this rich, their humorous legacy will spawn newimitators for centuries more.
Shadow Play
Appreciating the comedy of What We Do in the Shadows also means acknowledging the craftspeople behind the scenes. For every hilarious line delivered, equal credit is due to the magical atmosphere creators.
Through the seasons, the production crew has elevated this vampire comedy to an art form. Subtle yet stellar makeup transforms the cast into the undead, down to Novak’s meticulously detailed prosthetics. Effortless, they inhabit these immortal characters so fully viewers forget they’re not real.
Costuming too lends authenticity, dressing the modern monsters in styles befitting eras past. Nadja shines brightest perhaps, draped in lavish fashions that enhance her flamboyant persona.
As for sets and props, the attention to horrifyingly hilarious details pulls fans deeper into this sinister Staten Island fantasy. From skull collections to arcane spellbooks, every item feels borne of centuries of supernatural history.
Even special effects stun, realizing the most gruesome of gags through prosthetics and powder rather than pixels. Slice a character in two and intestines spill, yet the humor remains intact.
It’s a technical triumph deserving of top honors. These artisans conceal more effort than most comedies dare, achieving both scares and snickers through visual vaultistry. Their invisible mastery allows the stories and stars to soar to cult heights.
So as fans toast six years of comedic magic, equal cheers are due for the wizards behind the scenes. In their monster-making and world-building lies lies what gives What We Do in the Shadows its timelessly terrifying hilarity.
Farewell to the Undead Legends
As the final season of What We Do in the Shadows plays out, it’s clear these characters have already cemented their place in comedy history. Over half a decade, the show breathed new life into the genre through absurd yet artful storytelling.
Now with just a handful of episodes remaining, season six shows no signs of fading. While some quibbles arise, repetitive elements feel a small price for more time with TV’s finest ensemble.
Through its memorable misadventures so far, the series bids farewell while delivering what drew fans in—belly laughs paired with genuine heart. As these characters evolve, their bond shines brighter against the looming goodbyes.
Whether season six sticks the landing remains to be seen. But whatever transpires, the trail these vampires have blazed ensures their place in the comedy pantheon is secure. They’ve left an indelible mark and raised the bar for small-screen absurdity.
For that, their fans can offer only eternal gratitude. Now if only eternity wasn’t such a damn long time to wait for the finale. Let the final hilarity commence!
The Review
What We Do in the Shadows Season 6
What We Do in the Shadows has sunk its comedic fangs deep, generating gut-busting laughs that will echo for years to come. Across six glorious seasons, the show masterfully blended absurdity and heart to craft an eternally rewatchable supernatural sitcom. Now with the final curtain looming, fans can relish these last installments secure in the knowledge that the comedy brilliance and memorably macabre characters of Staten Island's oddball vampires will be immortal.
PROS
- Hilarious ensemble cast with incredible comedic chemistry
- Sharp, clever writing that continually finds new angles on vampire tropes
- Visually sumptuous production design that brings the supernatural world to vivid life
- Heartfelt characters and relationships at the core of absurdist humor
- Consistently delivered belly laughs throughout its six-season run
CONS
- Repetitive elements stand out more in the later seasons.
- Final season risks feeling rushed to wrap up storylines.
