The ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Season 3 Finale Sets Up a WILD Season 4

What We Do in the Shadows has always been about found family. How else can you describe the unholy bond that links a former Persian warlord, Cypriot scamp, proper English perv, ho-hum “energy vampire” and vampire hunting-vampire obsessive together in one decrepit house in Staten Island. Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), Laszlo (Matt Berry), Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch), and Guillermo (Harvey Guillén) drive each other crazy, yet they have been glued together throughout What We Do in the Shadows‘s three season run. That is, until the FX on Hulu show’s latest finale. The What We Do in the Shadow Season 3 finale scattered the gang all over the world, setting up an incredibly wild Season 4…

What We Do in the Shadows is based on the mockumentary film of the same name from Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. While that cult hit is set in the duo’s native New Zealand, the FX on Hulu show follows a documentary crew filming a household of vampires living in Staten Island. The three “traditional” vampires — Nandor, Laszlo and Nadja — seem to rule the roost, but as the series bore on, “familiar” Guillermo emerged as the shadow leader of the pack. Energy vampire Colin Robinson often appeared as a spoiler for the crew’s fun, but soon became a favorite amongst fans. His gross tics and deadpan reaction to most things was bizarrely endearing.

Throughout What We Do in the Shadows Season 3, Colin Robinson has been curious about his roots as an energy vampire. His creation is a complete mystery. So much so, he is blissfully unaware that his impending 100th birthday is actually his death sentence. As the show revealed in the penultimate episode of the season, energy vamps only have a lifespan of 100 years. Colin Robinson’s death was shocking in its timing and execution. Believing his roommate is faking death once more, Nandor hits his head, causing the skull to explode and gush ooze.

The What We Do in the Shadows Season 3 finale, “The Portrait,” opens on the remaining vampires trying to move on from the death the best way they know how: by posing for a new “family” portrait without Colin Robinson so they can go on living like he never existed. Guillermo tries to call the vampires out on their poor coping techniques, which of course goes ignored. Nandor’s season of ennui leads him to decide to embark on a world tour. Nadja craves a return to England, where she’s told she will serve in a high-ranking position for the Vampiric Council. Eventually, Nandor agrees to take Guillermo along and Nadja convinces Laszlo to return to his homeland. However at the last minute, Laszlo makes a switcheroo – nailing Guillermo in the coffin meant to take him across the sea and leaving Nandor alone on his journey.

Why did Laszlo do such a thing? Because when Laszlo finally went to say goodbye to Colin Robinson’s corpse, he discovered a newborn infant version of the energy vampire.

So What We Do in the Shadows is setting up a Season 4 with Nandor lost on the road, Nadja alone in the UK with Guillermo, and Laszlo stuck at home with the Guide (Kristen Schaal) and their more decrepit vampire roommates taking care of an infant energy vampire. And that is insane. 

Physically separating the main cast of What We Do in the Shadows is wild because the joy of the show is watching that ensemble play. Together. The idea that soulmates Laszlo and Nadja are going to be apart in Season 4? Devastating. That Guillermo won’t be able to wait on Nandor? Absurd? That Laszlo will have to care for a baby energy vampire? Okay, that’s hilarious.

But as Guillermo states at the top of the Season 3 finale, they are a found family, weird as it may seem. With Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, Guillermo, and infant Colin Robinson all in separate spaces, the show is destined to embrace chaos when it eventually returns in 2022. And I sort of love that for the show? What We Do in the Shadows has shown that it’s an endlessly creative series, happy to make bold swings and to lean into the absurd. Shaking up its fundamental structure so much will hopefully only let the show shine in Season 4.

So while I’m emotionally distraught at the idea of Nandor, Nadja, Laszlo, Guillermo, and Baby Robinson being in wholly different spaces, I’m also excited. For fans of What We Do in the Shadows, the Season 3 finale promises a brilliant Season 4 to come.

Where to stream What We Do in the Shadows