205. Let the Right One In

Let the Right One In (2008)

Director: Tomas Alfredson

Starring: Kare Hedebrant

Lina Leandersson

Per Ragnar

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 8.5

"Please Oskar... be me for a little while."

Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) is your typical outcast. He is constantly bullied at school, and really has no friends. His parents are divorced, so he lives alone with his mother in a small apartment. One evening while sitting outside of his apartment complex, he meets a strange young girl named Eli (pronounced like Elle - E, and played by Lina Leandersson). Eli has recently moved into the apartment next to Oskar's with an older gentleman named Haken (Per Ragnar), who appears to be her father. Haken goes out at night and murders people, so that he main drain their blood to feed Eli. For you see, she is not actually a young girl, but an ancient vampire.

Oskar begins to confide in Eli as a friend, even though she has warned him about doing so. This is most likely to protect Oskar, although Eli never reveals why in the beginning. She encourages Oskar to fight back against the bullies at his school. As their relationship grows, so does Oskar's confidence and general attitude. During this time, Haken has failed at supplying blood for Eli on a few occasions, leaving her to do her own killing. One particular failed attempt proves to be ultimately fatal for Haken, and ends up leaving Eli with only Oskar in her life. With the community becoming suspicious of the random deaths and attacks, the two most both find a way to go on with their lives. This leaves Eli no choice, but to expose her true identity to him. But will Oskar let her into his life once he knows her secret?

I remember seeing Let the Right One In in theaters and being very impressed with it's exceptional attention to detail. For instance, when Eli doesn't feed, she always looks weak and frail. Almost appearing to be older at times. Although after she has just fed, she always appears to be youthful and eager. There are a few scenes where you actually do see Eli as an older woman. These scenes are met with flawless transition, giving the true appearance of something supernatural. It's the simple things that makes this film something truly extraordinary.

This film also has two of the better child performances I have seen. Lina Leandersson was only twelve during the filming, but turns in a performance well past her years. Her portrayal of Eli relies on realistic reactions to convey the trials of being a vampire. Usually the vampire is the enemy in the film, and Eli is really no different from any other vampire. Although, you cannot help but root for her. Kare Hedebrant is also great as the very reserved Oskar. You find yourself pitying him, but also identifying with him quite a bit. We've all feared running into that bully when we were in primary school. Hedebrant captures that perfectly. In the case of Let the Right One In, the kids are definitely where the acting talent lies.

I don't usually do this, but I would like to explain to you my interpretation of the end of the film. So if you have not seen it yet, please do not read any furthur into the paragraph. I do not think that Eli really loves Oskar. I believe that she is using him, as she did Haken. Oskar and Haken both seem to have similar personalities. They are very reserved, trustworthy, and will do anything for the ones they love. I like to think that Haken was once misunderstood, and Eli took him away from that. Much like Eli does when she runs away with Oskar. I am a sucker for romance in film, but I just don't buy it with Eli. If you have seen the film, go back and watch it again with this in mind. I think you will definitely see where I am coming from.

Let the Right One In is a top film in the horror and vampire genre. I feel with the release of a certain teen vampire film and this film's only two weeks apart, it was not really given a chance. So I strongly urge you though to see this film. Especially before the unneeded American remake from Cloverfield director Matt Reeves comes out later this year. Some might feel that this film moves at a slow pace, but that is one of the things that makes the action scenes that much more effective. Overall, It's attention to detail and superb acting should satisfy horror loves and film lovers alike.