LettheRightonein

Let the Right one in (2008)

This is one of the most interesting vampire stories I’ve ever seen. It starts off with a young boy named Oskar, who is picked on unmercifully by a group of bullies at school. It doesn’t seem that Oskar has any friends, that is until a strange girl moves in next door. Thru a series of talks Oskar and the girl, Eli, they become good friends. The thing is that Eli isn’t a little girl, but is actually a vampire that just hasn’t physically aged beyond 12 years old. Still in spite of being what she is there is a certain childlike sweetness and soon she is helping Oskar come out of his shell and defend himself. But this has unintended consequences that cause things to escalate. All while this is happening there is another story involving the man who takes care of Eli and what happens after he is caught getting her supply of blood.

I’m not normally inclined to like vampire movies. That is because most of them have become some sort of Anne Rice inspired gothic abomination. Vampire movies have just lost their “bite” for me (pun intended). But Let the Right one in is an entirely different beast. I love the fact that he main characters are children, and that in spite of that the story makes no concessions about what Eli is and how brutal she can be. At the same time they manage to make her a very sympathetic character that in spite of all the carnage she causes you end up rooting for her to be okay. This really is one of those unique movies that somehow manages to create characters that might do horrible things, but still connect with the audience. This is a really special thing that I’ve not seen very often. The movie also does a great job fleshing out the characters of Eli and Oskar so that they seen like real kids with issues and problems. Not only that but the supporting characters are also interesting and equally developed, so when bad things happen to them (Eli’s caretaker for example) it really is quite sad because you understand why the character is in the situation.

I would be completely remiss if I didn’t mention the cast. From the supporting cast right up to the leads the acting is all top notch. But the fact that a movie like this is carried by a couple of young children is absolutely amazing. Kåre Hedebrant as Oskar does a wonderful job as the outcast boy who is picked on. He really does pull off the anger, fear, and isolation that the character requires to be realistic. Lina Leandersson character isn’t quite as complex when it comes to the emotional stuff. But what she does have the ability to do is pull of the “monster” side of her character really well. When she “vamps” out on someone she is really very scary. Then in the next scene she is a child again worried about her friend Oskar. This is just such a great job from a young actress.

The special effects are pretty decent, though there is quite a bit of CGI. Though I will say for the most part it is used well. The one exception is where we find out that housecats really don’t like vampires, which is unintentionally hilarious and doesn’t really fit the mood of the rest of the movie. In comparison there is a partially melted face that is done with practical effects that is awesome looking. The camera work is exceptional and goes a long way to help set the mood of the movie. There are so many carefully staged and framed shots with either Oskar or Eli that really gives the movie a sense of isolation that is really important for the story. I also really love the shot of Oskar being reflected in the window as he looks out of his window. What a great way to start to establish the character.

Bottom line is this is a must own movie for any fan of the horror genre. Let the Right on in will be available from Magnet Releasing on Tuesday March 10th, 2009. Check their website at http://www.magnetreleasing.com/index.html for more information.

3 ½ out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer