‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Cast Breaks Down That Nothing-Really-Matters Ending to “Silly, Stupid” Vampire Comedy

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As a fan who has followed What We Do in the Shadows since its inception, I must say it is bittersweet to bid farewell to this extraordinary show. For six seasons, we have been welcomed into the lives of these unforgettable characters, living vicariously through their hilarious misadventures and relishing in the camaraderie that has developed on and off screen.

Warning: The following discussion may reveal significant plot points from the final episode of “What We Do in the Shadows,” titled “The Finale.” Proceed with caution if you haven’t watched it yet and wish to avoid spoilers.

Nothing ever really changes at the “Vampire Residence” in Staten Island, New York. 

In the worn-out Victorian residence, the squeaky floorboards and aged tapestries have never experienced a transformation. Guillermo de la Cruz, who was once a familiar to vampires but now serves as a bodyguard and private equity broker (Harvey Guillén), has yet to grasp what it truly means to be a night-dwelling bloodsucker. The six seasons of FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows” are filled with numerous farewells, heartbreaking deaths, and yet, each time, the inhabitants of that run-down house find themselves back together for more mischief, squabbles, and ludicrous perilous predicaments.

On Monday, season six of the Emmy-winning series grappled with the concept of life’s circular pattern, particularly when it has been ongoing for centuries, as it concluded a cherished 61-episode series span by tying up loose ends.

Mark Proksch, playing energy vampire Colin Robinson, shares with The Hollywood Reporter his view on the series finale: “I believe it truly reflects their nature. Centuries from now, they’ll still be stuck in their routines, much like they have for centuries. And there’s something oddly charming about that persistence.

Proksch notes, “This is simply a challenging, witty, and foolish comedy with no educational or political aims. It doesn’t aim to enlighten you, doesn’t promote any specific viewpoint, and won’t encourage deep introspection about your own life and the difficulties you might be facing.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but gush about “What We Do in the Shadows,” a series that started from a mere five-minute concept yet blossomed into six seasons and a film under the same title. I follow four eccentric vampire flatmates portrayed by Proksch, Novak, Demetriou, Berry, and Guillén, their human companion, as they navigate the mundane aspects of human life with the unique quirks and absurdities that come with being eternally out-of-sync with the modern world. Kristen Schaal graces our screens as The Guide, a vampire who, despite her close proximity, remains on the periphery of this found family.

Over its six series, numerous well-known figures such as Nick Kroll, Paul Reubens, Tilda Swinton, Wesley Snipes, Mark Hamill, Jeremy O. Harris, and Sofia Coppola have made appearances on the program.

In this mockumentary series, Guillén’s character, Guillermo, stands out as the sole human among the group, excluding the on-screen crew filming. Throughout the story, he acts as a guide for the viewers, frequently offering sidelong glances and knowing winks to the camera when things go wrong. In the final episode, Guillermo grapples with the reality that the in-show documentary concept must conclude, and along with it, the series itself, due to his own mortality.

Just as when the curtain falls on a beloved comedy show, the film team departing indicates that Guillermo’s extraordinary journey with the four eccentric, flawed, yet endearing vampires concludes too. While the vampire trio of Nandor the Relentless (Novak), Nadja of Antipaxos (Demetriou), Laszlo Cravensworth (Berry) and Colin Robinson effortlessly resume their usual vampiric routines, Guillermo is left grappling with the realization that a period in his life he cherishes dearly has ended. Haunted by fears of fading into insignificance and returning to the monotony of his existence prior to encountering vampires, he now faces an uncertain future.

Gullien acknowledges that parting ways with a beloved TV series might prove challenging, as it’s not just another production but a sanctuary he and countless others have sought solace in. He admits, though, that despite the emotional entanglement, he may eventually learn to let go, even if it’s not an easy transition.

Guillén states, ‘We’re creating a light-hearted series that carries emotional depth. People have shared their sentiments at Comic Cons and other events, saying, ‘This show was our comfort during the pandemic.’ Beyond the pandemic, it seems to strike a chord with many viewers.’

For some viewers, watching “What We Do in the Shadows” served as a catalyst for rekindling conversations with their fathers or providing comfort during difficult times like chemotherapy. Despite its characters being ancient, self-centered vampires who frequently engage in violence and harm people, this show has offered a unique brand of heartwarming, pure comedy, courtesy of Taika Waititi.

Guillén explains that the series has been successful at lifting people’s spirits, which is our primary goal. We’ve offered an escape, and we managed to do so for six seasons. It’s been a challenging decade, but sometimes it’s necessary to take a break and immerse ourselves in the whimsical world of a vampire documentary, along with its human companion. These half-hour episodes each week provide enough entertainment to keep us motivated.

“We were lucky that we were able to do that for people,” he says.

One reason the show gained such a dedicated fanbase was that its second season debuted in April 2020, coinciding with the start of the pandemic when many were confined at home. Regardless of what people and their roommates might have been bickering about a month or more into lockdown, it’s certain that the vampires and Guillermo (now known as Gizmo) had far more amusing predicaments to navigate.

Although the comedy series was lauded by both critics and viewers throughout its six-year broadcast, it only managed to win one Emmy award for exceptional costume design in a fantasy or sci-fi series in 2022, despite receiving a total of 29 nominations.

Back in December, FX made it clear that our favorite show was wrapping up after completing the second season’s run. I know this news might have stirred some emotions among fans, but as Paul Simms, the showrunner, put it at New York Comic Con in October, “It’s better to end on a high note and it’s always better to quit while we’re ahead rather than staying too long.” As a dedicated gamer (and fan), I can relate – it’s always tough when a great game or series comes to an end, but knowing it ends at its peak is a small comfort.

According to Schaal, since they knew it was their final season, they didn’t take anything lightly and poured all their efforts into making season six as exceptional as possible.

Schaal shared with THR that one positive aspect of knowing the show was ending was that no one took for granted a single moment spent on set with those people or wearing those amazing costumes,” he said. “[Working on this project] has always been a dream, but partings are tough, and it’s really hard to let go.

It’s particularly challenging for the cast, who instead find themselves away from the Victorian mansion that stands in for their characters’ Vampire Abode on set, as they field questions and discuss the emotional impact of seeing their six-year long journey come to an end and be released into the world.

Novak mentions that at this point, we would be filming another season in Canada. Working on this show stirs up strong memories associated with the accents, hairstyles, makeup, costumes, and sets. It’s a highly immersive experience for both viewers and actors during filming.

Novak may not be completely prepared to retire Nandor’s role, humorously implying it might be “the final episode of the last season, the last show, and the last job in my entire career.” However, there seems to be a shared feeling among the cast that they are fortunate for having had the opportunity to work with these characters for as long as they did, creating what Novak describes as a “silly, ridiculous” series.

Novak remarks, ‘In my country, we have six seasons for a show, while the Brits create eight episodes and consider that the end.’ In contrast, our series consisted of 61 episodes, which is truly astounding.

Guillén expressed his initial doubts that the series “What We Do in the Shadows” would continue after the pilot was shot, as many shows in Hollywood often don’t make it past the starting line. However, following the completion of the entire first season, and now having finished six seasons, the cast and crew are bidding farewell on their own terms. They leave us with a reminder that even as things evolve, certain aspects remain constant – a nod to the enduring nature of their successful show.

Guillén explains that after working on shows for an extended period, it can become routine and lose its charm. The key is striking a balance so that every project isn’t just another season where the quality drops off, but rather something exceptional that people will look back on fondly as a well-structured story, not a time when things took a turn for the worse. Fortunately, we managed to put together a truly impressive collection of episodes.

Without a doubt, concluding six seasons of a show that originated from a simple five-minute concept without it becoming stale is an impressive accomplishment. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Guillén, along with possibly other housemates, wouldn’t be open to revisiting the old home and exploring these characters they’ve grown fond of once more.

So maybe just, goodbye, for now.

Could these characters pay us another visit and greet us once more? It’s quite possible, as anything can happen,” Guillén notes. “We’re eager for a brief reunion with these characters and people, as we cherish the moments we shared with them and are excited about the prospect of spending more time together in the future.

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What We Do in the Shadows is now streaming all episodes on Hulu.

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2024-12-17 06:55