What We Do in the Shadows

This delightfully deadpan spoof about a ragtag bunch of Kiwi vampires breathes new life into the mockumentary format. It's co-directed by Taika Waititi and Flight of the Conchords star Jemaine Clement, who also appear as the dandyish Viago and the rampant Vladislav, respectively. A documentary film crew follows the pair, along with their undead housemates, as they argue about the washing-up, hit the clubs, and suck the life from virgins (but try to remember to put a towel down first). However, the addition of some new blood to the group, along with his human best pal, sends their nocturnal world into disarray. Everything is delivered with straight-faced charm, and the guts and gore are balanced with sympathetic and believable characters (well, as sympathetic and believable as centuries-old bloodsuckers can be). There are some hilarious riffs on undead stereotypes and mythology - how do you check your outfit if you can't look in the mirror? - while the script cunningly plays with your expectations (as well as referencing The Lost Boys). And Rhys Darby, as the unfailingly polite leader of a rival group of werewolves, is a fantastic treat. This is bloody hilarious.