Fare Thee Well Gizmo: A Nerd Horror Love Letter to WWDITS
by Justine Norton-Kertson
What We Do in the Shadows, which concluded its six-season run last night, stands as a distinctive blend of horror and comedy, earning its place as a nerd horror masterpiece. Not to mention that for more than the last half of a decade it’s been hands down my favorite show. The series, a spin-off of the 2014 film by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, artfully twists common character tropes and intertwines supernatural elements with sharp humor, appealing to both horror aficionados and comedy enthusiasts.
The show's mockumentary style offers an intimate glimpse into the mundane lives of Staten Island vampires—Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, Colin Robinson, and their familiar, Guillermo. This format satirizes both the horror genre and reality television, providing a fresh perspective on vampire lore. The final season maintained this approach, delivering a "silly-brilliant ending" that stayed true to the show's essence.
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Throughout its run, the series delved into character arcs that resonated with nerd culture. Guillermo's evolution from a submissive familiar to a confident vampire hunter reflects classic hero's journey tropes, while the vampires' frequent misadventures in the modern world humorously highlight their antiquated perspectives. The final season continued to explore these dynamics, with episodes that pushed the characters’ boundaries. Here’s our take on the nerd horror archetypes each WWDITS character fits into.
Art by Hal Hefner 2024
Nerd Horror Character Archetypes in WWDITS
Nandor the Relentless (The Fallen Hero / The Fish Out of Water)
Archetypes: The Reluctant Hero, The Fish Out of Water, The Washed-Up Villain
Explanation:
Nandor was once a fierce, bloodthirsty warlord, but in Staten Island, he becomes a comically out-of-touch leader whose past glories are overshadowed by his cluelessness in the modern world.
He shares elements with classic fallen hero horror figures like Dr. Frankenstein, who once wielded great power but is now a shell of his former self.
His misinterpretation of modern technology (like fitness apps or the internet) puts him firmly into the fish out of water archetype, a trope often seen in horror-comedies like Shaun of the Dead.
His relationship with Guillermo hints at the Frankenstein/Igor dynamic, especially as Nandor relies heavily on Guillermo but still sees him as a servant.
Laszlo Cravensworth (The Comic Relief / The Playboy)
Archetypes: The Comic Relief, The Hedonist, The Dirty Old Man
Explanation:
While there may be an argument to be made that Laszlo fits the trop of the mad scientists, that’s not where I place him. To me, Laszlo is the quintessential comic relief role that is so-often filled by a nerdy character. Laszlo constantly cracks dirty jokes and shows an unabashed obsession with hedonism.
His hedonistic side also places Laszlo neatly into the tradition of the pervy old man archetype. While this isn’t necessarily a nerd archetype, it’s often seen in slasher films where the creepy older figure is either played for laughs or serves as a harbinger of doom.
Laszlo’s obsession with music, sex, and bizarre hobbies (like his alter-ego Jackie Daytona) adds unpredictability, much like the wild card characters in horror films who create chaos (think Stifler in American Pie or Shaggy in Scooby-Doo). But Lazlo takes that unpredictability to new, even supernatural heights. Adding layers to his comic relief status, Laszlo often taps into the trickster archetype, a figure who often upends plans and blurs the line between helpful and destructive, a role commonly played by imps, fae, or mischievous horror villains.
Nadja of Antipaxos (The Femme Fatale / The Villainess)
Archetypes: The Femme Fatale, The Gothic Villainess, The Sorceress/Enchantress
Explanation:
Nadja embodies the femme fatale archetype, a trope that can be traced back to gothic horror and early vampire films like Carmilla and Dracula's Daughter.
Her sensuality, cunning, and manipulative tactics align with the archetype of a siren or sorceress—figures who use charm and seduction to get what they want rather than brute force.
In horror narratives, the femme fatale often represents forbidden desire or the consequences of unchecked passion, and Nadja plays this role in her relationships and schemes, especially in her obsession with controlling the Vampire Council.
Like Morticia Addams, Nadja revels in gothic aesthetics, which aligns with the visual and thematic traditions of classic horror films centered on witches, vampires, and vamps (think Elvira, Vampira, and Lilith).
Colin Robinson (The Mad Scientist / The Existential Horror)
Archetypes: The Mad Scientist, The Living Abomination, The Agent of Chaos
Explanation:
You can fight me on this one if you want, but for me Colin Robinson is a quintessential embodiment of mad scientist energy. The twist in his character though is that instead of experimenting with science, he experiments with social interaction. As an energy vampire, he tests new methods of draining energy from humans—like boring them to death with useless factoids—mirroring the scientific curiosity of horror’s classic mad doctor figures.
His transformation in Season 4 into a creepy, rapidly growing horror baby taps into the living abomination trope seen in films like Eraserhead or The Brood, where unnatural offspring become a source of existential horror.
The agent of chaos archetype is present in his role as an energy vampire. Like Beetlejuice or Stephen King’s character, Randall Flagg, Colin Robinson feeds off entropy and creates disorder for his own benefit, regardless of the consequences.
As his powers evolve and his “experiments” become more complex, he takes on the role of a quiet manipulator—an archetype seen in figures like Hannibal Lecter or the puppeteer villains in supernatural thrillers.
Guillermo de la Cruz (The Sidekick / The Unlikely Hero / The final Girl)
Archetypes: The Sidekick, The Unlikely Hero, The Van Helsing
Explanation:
Guillermo is the classic sidekick, like Renfield from Dracula, but with an unexpected twist—he not only longs to be a vampire, but it turns out that he's secretly a vampire slayer, which places him into the unlikely hero archetype.
His growth from Nandor’s underappreciated familiar to a badass Van Helsing-esque vampire hunter is a classic underdog story that horror fans adore.
His role mirrors Xander Harris from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the human everyman surrounded by supernatural beings but possessing an inner strength and moral compass that becomes essential to the team.
His arc also plays on the final girl trope, as Guillermo is often left to "survive" the chaos around him, relying on cunning, quick thinking, and grit. But unlike a lot of final girls, he’s not just reacting—he’s actively fighting back.
Guida (The guide-Mentor / The Overlooked outsider)
Archetypes: The Mysterious Guide or Mentor, The Overlooked Outsider
Explanation:
In the Italian language, the word ‘la guida’ literally means ‘the guide,’ and the other characters in the show regularly refer to her as “The Guide.” Guida serves as a representative of the Vampiric Council, tasked with orienting and overseeing the core vampire crew. Similar to figures like Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars or Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, she provides crucial knowledge about ancient vampire traditions, rules, and customs.
However, unlike traditional mentors, her guidance is often ignored or misunderstood, leading to chaos. Her role as a "mentor figure whose advice is ignored" cleverly subverts this trope by situating the character within the archetype of the overlooked outsider.
Despite her authority and deep knowledge, The Guide is often, if not always, treated as an outsider by the central vampire group. Her attempts to connect socially with the vampires—especially Nadja—highlight her desire for friendship and belonging, which is often played for humor but also adds emotional depth to the character.
In horror, this archetype often appears as "the ignored seer" or "the Cassandra figure" who offers warnings or guidance that go unheeded, sometimes leading to catastrophe.
The Baron, The Sire, and Other Guest Characters (The Monster/Creature)
Archetypes: The Monster, The Wild Card, The Gothic Horror Cameo
Explanation:
The show introduces a parade of "guest monsters" who embody classic horror movie creatures like The Baron (a Nosferatu-like vampire), The Sire (the "first vampire" trope), and ghosts, witches, and werewolves.
These characters fall into the monster of the week structure often seen in TV horror shows like Supernatural or The X-Files.
The ancient evil trope is personified in The Sire, who resembles Lovecraftian or Nosferatu-style creatures, emphasizing the primal fears of "old-world" monsters still existing in the modern day.
These guest characters are homages to classic horror movie creatures, often with hilarious or humanizing twists.
Meta-Archetypes in What We Do in the Shadows
Beyond individual characters, the show itself plays on several broader horror archetypes:
The Haunted House: The vampires' house serves as the cursed manor from classic horror, complete with creepy basements, secret rooms, and the constant threat of spectral/otherworldly visitors.
The Dysfunctional Family: The vampires fulfill the roles of a found family from sitcoms, but with a spooky twist. The family trope is also common in horror films where groups of survivors band together against terrifying threats (Night of the Living Dead, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre).
The Immortal Lament: Similar to Interview with the Vampire, the show addresses the existential boredom and malaise that comes with immortality, tapping into the cursed immortality archetype.
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By blending classic horror archetypes with sitcom tropes, What We Do in the Shadows elevates horror-comedy to the level of nerd horror masterpiece. Horror fans recognize the archetypes, but the show’s writers consistently subvert them, making the characters self-aware, flawed, and incredibly funny. The show thrives on these archetypes, modernizing and lampooning them with smart satire and emotional depth.
For horror fans, these archetypes are familiar touchstones, and for nerd culture enthusiasts they offer the joy of recognizing tropes reimagined with humor and heart. Whether it’s Guillermo becoming a Van Helsing, Laszlo embracing his wild card role, or Colin Robinson embodying a mad scientist's obsession, the series provides constant winks to horror nerds while staying accessible to casual viewers. And in true horror-comedy fashion, the show reminds us that sometimes, the scariest monsters are the ones who have to file their taxes, order takeout, and argue over who cleans the kitchen.
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What We Do in the Shadows excels in balancing horror elements with comedic undertones. The series incorporates traditional horror tropes—such as vampire rituals and supernatural conflicts—while simultaneously subverting them through humor. This balance is evident in episodes that parody horror classics, like the series finale's homage to The Usual Suspects, which added a meta twist to the narrative.
Join Us this Friday for a What We Do In The Shadows Series Finale Watch Party
The series received widespread critical acclaim, with an overall approval rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised its clever writing, strong ensemble cast, and unique take on the horror-comedy genre. Its cultural impact is further evidenced by its inclusion in discussions of top supernatural shows and horror-comedies, solidifying its status as a cult classic.
What We Do in the Shadows has cemented its legacy as a nerd horror masterpiece through its innovative format, rich character development, and seamless blend of horror and comedy. Its final season provided a fitting end to a series that has both honored and parodied the horror genre, leaving a lasting impression on its audience.
