What We Do in the Shadows – Season 2 Review [FX & Hulu]

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS season 2 is coming out on FX and Hulu now. Fortunately, the second season is at least as good as season 1. This really is the perfect horror-comedy series. Also, the guest stars are awesome. Read our What We Do in the Shadows season 2 review here!

What We Do in the Shadows season 2 is beginning on Hulu and FX now. I loved the movie this series is based on and while I enjoyed season 1, I do find season 2 better already. The sharp and crude horror-comedy series is exactly what I need right now.

For a lot of people, I suspect the guest stars will spark a lot of joy as well. Oh yeah, we’re hanging on to this show!

Continue reading our What We Do in the Shadows season 2 review below and check out the first two episodes on FX or Hulu now.

At least as good as season 1

Since I really loved the movie, I was perhaps a bit let down by season 1 of What We Do in the Shadows. I loved most episodes and adored many characters (okay, especially Nadja), but I wasn’t crazy about the lead character, Nandor. Of course, this probably has more to do with the fact that this role was played by Taika Waititi in the original movie.

I mean, trying to follow in the footsteps of Taika Waititi is pretty much impossible, which is why the character of Nandor is both similar to and very different from the movie character. With season 2, I feel like all the characters somehow work a lot better.

Recommended reading: Our season 1 review of What We Do in the Shadows here >

Obviously, part of the explanation is that my expectations for this horror-comedy series have been set accordingly. However, I think it also has to do with this series really coming into being its own thing.

Also, from the very first episodes of season 2, we get a whole slew of iconic horror characters. Aside from vampires (which is a given for a vampire horror-comedy), we also get zombies and ghosts. Both work really well, but especially episode 2 featuring ghosts have some truly brilliant moments.

Once again, Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) turns out to be my absolute favorite! A sort of spirit animal, if you will.

Haley Joel Osment guest stars in season 2

The very first episode of What We Do in the Shadows season 2 has Haley Joel “I see dead people” Osment guest star. And yes, it is pretty damn awesome. To avoid spoilers, I won’t give away anything regarding his role. However, I will say that his character is key to the plot of episode 1 in this second season.

I love the fact that Haley Joel Osment is choosing to do a lot of genre and indie productions in his career as an adult actor. As someone who began their career as the perfect child actor in horror, he should have an adult career in genre productions.

Most recently, you may have seen Haley Joel Osment in the brilliant and crazy series The Boys on Amazon’s Prime Video. Also, he had a small supporting role in the more serious Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile Netflix movie about Ted Bundy.

Also guest-starring in episode 1 is Benedict Wong. You should know him from Marvel movies in the Avengers universe as well as from Annihilation (2018) and Gemini Man (2019). In season 2 of What We Do in the Shadows, Benedict Wong really gets to have fun with his character. And also, wear a lot of eye make-up. He looks fabulous!

Watch season 2 of What We Do in the Shadows on Hulu and FX now!

Kyle Newacheck directed the first two episodes of season 2. He sets out with a great vibe and perfect pace that works on every level. There’s a clear focus on this being a horror-comedy series, just as the original movie was the perfect horror-comedy film. I mean, this isn’t a vampire drama like many other series. It’s laughs and wonderfully filthy humor!

Kyle Newacheck has also worked with a lot of comedy productions in the past, so he knows his way around comedic timing. Most recently, he also directed the Netflix action-comedy Murder Mystery (2019) starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. That one turned out to be a huge success for Netflix.

Marika Sawyer wrote the first episode of season 2 (titled “Ressurection”). She previously wrote for Saturday Night Live, so she also knows comedy. Episode 2 (“Ghosts”) was written by Paul Simms, who previously wrote for series in both comedy and drama genres. Both writers also wrote episodes for season 1, so they are very familiar with this universe.

William Meny is onboard as “staff writer” which essentially means he’s part of creating every episode and maintaining the correct vibe and plot-development. He was also “script coordinator” for season 1, so William Meny really has been part of this series since the very beginning.

If you’re in need of laughs and plenty of awesome iconic horror creatures, then dive into season 2 of What We Do in the Shadows. If you still haven’t watched season 1, then do start out by binge-watching that one. This series has half-hour episodes, so it’s quick to watch. Also, you won’t miss out on parts of the backstory or running gags. Enjoy!

What We Do in the Shadows season 2 is out with its first 2 episodes on FX from April 15 and Hulu from April 16, 2020.

Details

Creators: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Paul Simms
Cast: Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillen, Mark Proksch, Beanie Feldstein