What We Do in the Shadows (2014) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A comic supernatural documentary follows ancient vampires whose household conflicts lead to dangerous alliances, loss, transformation, and reconciliation.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Vampires Of Te Aro

The documentary introduces four vampire housemates and their nightly feeding routine. Jackie supports Deacon while seeking immortality.

Key Events

• Te Aro Vampire Flat — Four vampire housemates share a Wellington flat and prepare for nightly life. Characters: Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, Petyr Location: Te Aro, Wellington
• Nightly Feeding Routine — The three vampires take the bus into town to hunt for food. Characters: Viago, Vladislav, Deacon Location: Wellington streets
• Jackie Serves Deacon — Jackie runs errands, cleans gore, and demands the immortality she was promised. Characters: Deacon, Jackie Location: Te Aro vampire flat
• Victims Enter The Flat — Jackie lures a woman and her ex-boyfriend Nick to the vampires. Characters: Deacon, Jackie, Nick Location: Te Aro vampire flat

Nick Enters The Flat

Jackie brings Nick to the flat as a feeding target, but Petyr turns him into a vampire. Nick is then accepted into the household with Stu.

Key Events

• Nick Escapes Outside — Nick flees through the flat but Petyr catches him outside. Characters: Nick, Petyr Location: Outside the vampire flat
• Petyr Turns Nick — Petyr turns Nick into a vampire after catching him during the escape. Characters: Nick, Petyr Location: Outside the vampire flat
• Nick Joins The Housemates — Two months later, Nick joins the vampires and introduces his friend Stu. Characters: Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, Nick, Stu Location: Te Aro vampire flat
• Stu Brings Modern Life — Stu introduces the vampires to technology, bars, and clubs. Characters: Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, Nick, Stu Location: Wellington nightlife

Technology And Consequences

Stu introduces the vampires to modern technology and nightlife while Nick struggles with his new existence. Nick's careless disclosures contribute to the vampire hunter's attack on Petyr.

Key Events

• Viago Finds Katherine — Viago uses the Internet to locate Katherine, now living in a Wellington rest home. Characters: Viago, Katherine Location: Internet and Wellington rest home
• Nick Reveals The Secret — Nick struggles with vampirism and carelessly reveals the vampires' secret to strangers. Characters: Nick, Stu, Deacon Location: Wellington streets
• Petyr Dies In Sunlight — A vampire hunter enters the basement during daylight and exposes Petyr to sunlight. Characters: Petyr, Vampire Hunter Location: Flat basement
• Deacon Attacks Nick — The vampires blame Nick for Petyr's death, and Deacon tries to kill him. Characters: Deacon, Nick, Viago, Vladislav Location: Te Aro vampire flat
• Nick Is Banished — After the interruption, Nick is banished while Stu remains welcome. Characters: Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, Nick, Stu Location: Te Aro vampire flat

The Masquerade Escape

The vampires receive an invitation to the Unholy Masquerade, where Nick, Stu, and Jackie reappear. A human discovery, Julian's death, and a werewolf attack turn the celebration into a deadly escape.

Key Events

• Masquerade Invitation — The vampires receive an invitation to the annual Unholy Masquerade. Characters: Viago, Vladislav, Deacon Location: Te Aro vampire flat
• Vladislav Refuses The Ball — Vladislav initially refuses because the guest of honour is his feared nemesis. Characters: Vladislav Location: Te Aro vampire flat
• Unholy Masquerade Begins — Viago and Deacon find Nick, Stu, Jackie, and undead guests at the masquerade. Characters: Viago, Deacon, Nick, Stu, Jackie, Zombie Location: Unholy Masquerade
• Human Guests Discovered — The living humans are discovered, Julian fights Vladislav, and Stu impales Julian. Characters: Viago, Deacon, Nick, Stu, Jackie, Julian Location: Unholy Masquerade
• Werewolf Ambush — The escaping group encounters werewolves under the full moon; Stu and a cameraman are mauled. Characters: Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, Nick, Stu Location: Outside the masquerade

Unexpected Reunions

Stu survives as a werewolf and helps restore Nick's place among the vampires. Viago also reunites with Katherine and turns her into a vampire.

Key Events

• Stu Returns Alive — Stu returns as a werewolf, and Nick's banishment is rescinded. Characters: Nick, Stu, Viago, Vladislav, Deacon Location: Te Aro vampire flat
• Katherine Becomes Immortal — Viago rekindles his romance with Katherine and turns her into a vampire. Characters: Viago, Katherine Location: Wellington

Story Breakdown

• Te Aro Household — The film establishes the vampire housemates and their unusual domestic routine.
  • Four Vampire Housemates — Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, and Petyr share a flat in Wellington.
  • Nightly Feeding — The vampires travel into town to hunt for victims.
• Jackie's Failed Bargain — Jackie's service to Deacon becomes entangled with her desire for immortality.
  • Familiar Duties — Jackie runs errands and cleans the aftermath of feeding.
  • Victims Lured — She brings a woman and Nick to the vampire flat.
• Nick's Transformation — Nick moves from threatened human outsider to unstable vampire housemate.
  • Petyr Turns Nick — Petyr catches Nick and transforms him into a vampire.
  • Stu Joins In — Nick's friend Stu introduces the vampires to modern life.
• Household Breakdown — Nick's behavior and Petyr's death fracture the vampire household.
  • Hunter Invasion — A vampire hunter kills Petyr with direct sunlight.
  • Nick Banished — The remaining vampires blame Nick and expel him from the flat.
• Masquerade Disaster — The undead celebration exposes hidden identities and triggers a violent escape.
  • Living Humans Exposed — Stu and the camera crew are discovered as living humans.
  • Julian Impaled — Stu impales Julian on a flagpole during the confrontation.
• Moonlit Reconciliation — The story resolves through survival, supernatural transformation, and renewed companionship.
  • Stu Becomes Werewolf — Stu survives the attack and returns transformed.
  • Katherine Returns — Viago rekindles his romance with Katherine and turns her into a vampire.

Directed by

Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement

Key Cast

• Jemaine Clement — Vladislav
• Taika Waititi — Viago
• Jonny Brugh — Deacon
• Cori Gonzalez-Macuer — Nick
• Stu Rutherford — Stu