‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Season 5 Review: Writing Remains Bloody Sharp with Talking Dolls, Pride, and Guillermo’s Fate

Have you ever had a talking doll that accompanied you at all times, or is Nadja – in FX’s What We Do in the Shadows the only one? Whether you’ve ever played with a doll like this before or not, Nadja’s toy, possessed by her old self, is unlike any other, as you’ve surely noticed if you’ve kept up on the show’s prior seasons. Fortunately, Nadja’s loyal and candid companion is back in a great season 5. The creators, Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi, bestow upon their devoted fanbase and viewers worldwide another fantastic chapter to the successful, vampire-centered comedy series.  While nearly every comment out of Laszlo’s mouth provokes a chuckle, season 5 demonstrates that consistent, seasoned scriptwriting and a passionate cast will always offer you something interesting, giving the same feeling as at the beginning. 

For years, this topsy-turvy mockumentary has chronicled the lives of vampire housemates from Staten Island: Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch). Season 5 continues to demonstrate how the characters adjust to modern life with the help of their human familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillén) and The Guide (Kristen Schaal) from the Vampiric Council. With the season 4 finale, we’re left wondering whether Guillermo becomes a vampire and the newest chapter discusses that. Colin, on the other hand, reaches the grown-up stage and returns to being his old self, growing his energy draining powers. Nadja, after literally burning her night club to the ground, seeks healing, while her husband, Laszlo says a heartfelt goodbye to baby Colin and moves on to helping someone else.

It seems as each member of this frenzied household goes through life revelations: Nandor feels Guillermo fading away as the familiar spend much time with Laszlo, whose scientific skills are put to the test, trying to solve the mystery of the bizarre things Guillermo is going through. Nadja, suffering from the effects of an undiagnosed supernatural hex, connects with individuals who remind her of the olden times. Colin, on the other hand, decides to explore his vampire-draining powers by running for political office, while The Guide tries to gain Nadja’s friendship, although let’s be honest – it’s not easy when the doll stands between you and your potential bestie.

Season 5’s premiere episode, titled “The Mall,” written by Marika Sawyer and directed by Yana Gorskaya, already sets the bar high and gives us a taste of what to expect this time around. The trio, often followed by Colin and almost always assisted by Guillermo, discover more places where “human people” usually go (like the titular mall) and hang out with their neighbors even more often. There is occasional hypnosis involved (what a surprise!), some excitement over Guillermo’s state, and even some jealousy. The fun continues through the episodes of season 5, more notably in “Pride Parade,” written by Jake Bender and Zach Dunn, and directed by Yana Gorskaya.

Without giving too much away, the pride episode highlights the vampires’ matter-of-fact attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community. It’s actually one of the finest aspects of What We Do in the Shadows—Laszlo, Nadja, Nandor, and Colin were always open-minded, with most of them being queer. The characters and creators behind them demonstrate that being LGBTQ+ isn’t anything uncommon or extraordinary; it’s a normal aspect of life, even for vampires, and many could learn a thing or two from them. 

Guillermo, one of the most endearing members of the community, is going through something he’s never encountered before. While Laszlo continues to assist him, we can discern a different side of Nandor. There is a certain chemistry between the vampire’s familiar and Nandor which may be examined this season. As Nandor becomes envious of his and Laszlo’s secret meetings, it seems that The Relentless perhaps  feels something more than friendship. Those, however, are only suppostitions. Guillén’s Guillermo steals the show once more, as we wonder whether he’s a vampire or not. Most importantly, it feels like Guillén’s character becomes another central character like the vampire quartet we already know (plus a doll, don’t let me forget about the doll). 

The unusual, bloodthirsty family grows bigger in season 5. At long last, the directors add Kristen Schaal in the opening credits, which she proves she deserves. In this season, The Guide becomes somewhat constant, chasing after Nadja’s inclusion. With this subplot, Schaal reveals more of her flair and ability to make the audience laugh. With the ensemble expanding and the adventures becoming even more deranged, many great wordplays and amusing one-liners persist, and they are especially noticeable when the vampires talk. After all, the nightly creatures don’t know many modern-day things, contemporary language included.

The outstanding writing is one of the show’s most powerful assets, complementing the hysterical, lighthearted cast in the first four episodes available for review. What We Do in the Shadows’ writing room consistently succeeds in building plot lines in unexplored and imaginative ways, allowing each character to evolve in separate ways, some finding comfort in familiar roots, some discovering something about themselves: Colin suddenly working at the restaurant and making puns with the word “prosecco,” or Laszlo discovering a mall and replying, “No, fuck off!” as the lady working the mall island offers him a sample of something. One cannot not mention Nadja’s doll and her new bottom parts, original ones destroyed due to some involvement of liquor blood. The show rarely gets lusterless and uninteresting as it illustrates the characters on their ventures. Everyone gets their moment to shine, as well as a one-on-one with the camera crew to vent, discuss Cosmopolitan quizzes, and occasionally drain the energy. 

Years pass, and What We Do in the Shadows continues to evolve into one of pop culture’s most unforgettable comedy series’. It takes a tremendous skill to keep crafting intriguing characters with pizzazz and plotlines that are as amusing as they were at the start of this journey. Season 5 doesn’t disappoint in the least, but you will only find out when watching it. I especially recommend it to those who want to discover the conditions for Laszlo to be the perfect Kim Cattrall, aka Samantha from Sex and the City, as per the very important, aforementioned Cosmo quiz.

Grade: A

What We Do in the Shadows will premiere on July 13 on FX and Hulu the next day.

Photo: Russ Martin/FX

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Zofia Wijaszka

Zofia resides in Los Angeles and is a film and television critic. She has previously written for The Mary Sue, First Showing, Film Threat, In Their Own League, Film Inquiry, and more. She loves the Scream movies, Carol, American Horror Story, and Schitt’s Creek.

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