Let the Right One In

Horrorphile

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Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In)

June 6th 2008 03:28

Like any True Believin’ horrorphile I’m always waiting for that vampire flick or that werewolf flick or that zombie flick. They don’t come along that often. One could even argue that those precious sub-genres are a dying breed. Sure, there are dozens of them released; it even seems zombie flicks are the dead du jour, but the movies that are actually any good are far and few between.

Last year 30 Days of Night (2007) proved to be the bite the vampire sub-genre needed, despite it polarising many critics, certainly the horrorphiles knew it had guts. Further back and Dog Soldiers (2003) was the werewolf movie that howled like a true lycanthrope. Now from Sweden comes a superb entry in the vampire stakes; Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In), part of the 55th Sydney Film Festival programme, and based on a best-selling novel of the same name (and a curiously playful title too).

Kare Hedebrant as Oskar

Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a 12-year-old-boy, is a loner, bullied at school, who fantasizes about sweet revenge. He lives in an apartment block in the snow-laden suburb of Blackeberg, Stockholm with his divorced mother. One day he meets Eli (Lina Leanderson), who’s 12 “more-or-less”, on the jungle gym. She’s kinda odd ‘cos she smells funny, isn’t wearing any warm clothes, and hasn’t seen a Rubik’s Cube before, but despite this Oskar finds her endearing, especially when the next morning he finds his Cube which he left with her lying in the snow fully solved.

Lina Leanderson as Eli

The problem with Eli though is she’s a vampire. She has an older man, Hakan (Per Ragnar) doing her dirty murderous work, yet despite her own ferocity she appears so gentle, she is a kid of course. However, in a brilliant casting decision young Leanderson has a hauntingly adult visage, and it is the accomplished nuances of her performance that cement this vampire tale.

Hakan (Per Ragnar) flees the scene of acquiring blood for Eli

There are numerous subtle directorial touches that linger in the mind; Eli lapping at blood on the floor with a long tongue hidden by her matted black hair, Oskar turning on a light in a darkened room and Eli’s pupils quickly change from being slitted to circular, Eli climbing into bed nude with Oskar and delicately tracing her fingers down his arm and interlocking her hand in his – a very adult moment of sensuality because obviously Eli is an adult trapped in the body of a 12-year-old and restricted sexually as well.

Oskar surrounded by the school bullies

Between director Tomas Alfredson and screenwriter (and novelist) John Ajvide Linqvist they manage a beautiful balance between classic vampire conventions; sunlight causes vampires to ignite, vampires can move very quickly and fly (although we never actually see Eli in flight, we do see her scale the side of a hospital building), vampires need to be invited into a home (a horrific scene shows just what happens if the enter without being invited).

Oskar's own fang

Let the Right One In doesn’t try and re-invent the vampire mythology, instead it uniquely blends awkward romance with the loss of innocence amidst the horror of desperation. The relationship between Oskar and Eli is a prickly and compelling centerpiece and full of wonderful contrast, both literal (Oskar’s blond hair, blue eyes and Eli’s dark hair, soulful peeps) and symbolic (Oskar’s desire to be braver and stronger and Eli’s inherent fragility, coupled with her inhuman strength). There’s also a neat little bond the two share through communicating in Morse code.

Let the Right One In Kare Hedebrant and Lina Leanderson

Eli steadily warms to Oskar's innocence and puppy love

The movie’s shadowy poetic tone is evident throughout, from the melancholic imagery of falling snow and the icy landscape to the unusual mix of adult themes in the context of a children’s coming-of-age narrative, it’s a disquieting, heady brew, told with literary intelligence and cinematic confidence.

Let the Right One In vamp victim on fire

A victim chooses suicide by sunlight

The movie sports excellent cinematography and the special effects, although CGI-heavy in one sequence involving some very spiteful cats, are top notch, especially in a public baths gory set-piece near film’s end.

Let the Right One In taps the right vein indeed, see it on the big screen if you can! The annoying news is, like Timecrimes, this movie is already set for an American remake (possibly with Cloverfield director J.J. Abrahms at the helm).

Let the Right One In screening times at the 55th Sydney Film Festival:
Friday June 6th 9:00pm – Dendy Opera Quays
Saturday June 14th 8:00pm – Dendy Opera Quays

Here's the original Swedish trailer (I couldn't find one with English subs, but you get the idea):

Here's a clip with subs:

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

14 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by KylieW

June 6th 2008 04:43

Celebrity Obsession

Oh I hope that gets a showing in Melbourne (or I've probably already missed it), it sounds really good. It's nice to see a vamp/werewolf/zombie flick that tries to be a bit different to the norm.

Comment by Bryn

June 6th 2008 05:24

Horrorphile

Hi Kylie, I thought the Melbourne festival always after Sydney? It's bigger too, no doubt this will feature. Enjoy!

Comment by Rose-buddy

June 6th 2008 12:27

Here you can find the subtitled Trailer for "Let the Right One In":

Really Long Link

Comment by Bryn

June 6th 2008 17:23

Horrorphile

Rose-buddy, thanks for the link!!! Have you seen the movie?

Comment by Damo

June 7th 2008 00:42

This sounds terrific.
Must catch it when i get a chance.

I like my vampires flicks when they are done well.

I did not like the Blade line where is was all just a virus sort turn it into a Sci-Fi instead. I like the idea of them being somewhat supernatural. Keeps the fantasy alive.

I think that it is tragic if every good film is remade in the US Hollowood Machine.

Comment by Rose-buddy

June 17th 2008 09:12

I saw it at Gothenburg Filmfestival, which it won both for best feature and best cinematography. As you probably know it even won the top price at Tribeca. I think it´s the first time a vampire flick have won such a prestige price outside horror film festivals.

I agree with Bryn. It´s a horror film but first of all it´s a romantic coming-of-age story. The balance between those elements is the strength.

I loved it. It´s special but after 2 hours I just wanted more.

Comment by Bryn

June 18th 2008 02:33

Horrorphile

Rose, yeah I wanted more too, I wanted to see the next chapter, so to speak, with the two of them on the road ...

Comment by Cheryl J

April 15th 2009 10:02

Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability

I have to make time to see this, after all it's one of my favourite movie subjects! I have heard nothing but praise for this and some interesting subtext that various people have read into it so I can't wait to see it and make up my own mind.

Hey I just started a new blogsite VAMPIRE DAZE. It's only brand new but I'd love it if you popped by and took a look. I still have quite a bit to do on it and I need more content but I'm getting there. This is actually a film I want to write about on there after I see it.

The idea of an American remake makes me want to cry and I've yet to see the original. I just know they'll ruin yet another brilliant foreign film.

Comment by Bryn

April 16th 2009 02:47

Horrorphile

Cheryl,
Not only was it my fave horror movie of last year (cos I saw it at the Sydney Film Festival), but it was my fave movie period.
I'm intrigued by the novel, which reveals darker elements, but I'm not sold on the Hollywood remake idea at all.
I've acutally checked your new blog out, but very briefly, so I need to return and make a comment.
Just quietly, but I've started a new blog in your neck o' the woods also (not vampirism, but the same umbrella blog site), but under a pseudonym, I wonder if you'll be able to work out which one

Comment by Cheryl J

April 16th 2009 09:46

Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability

Oh, I'm so onto this....going looking now. I love a good mystery!

Comment by Cheryl J

April 16th 2009 09:55

Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability

That was SO easy! Nice blogsite!

Comment by Bryn

April 17th 2009 00:02

Horrorphile

Sheeeeesh. Your work is done Ms. Sherlock.

Comment by JohnDoe

July 6th 2009 17:46

Film & TV on DVD

Hi Bryn,

I finally saw "Let The Right One In" last night and was suitably impressed. The restrained storytelling and melancholy atmosphere worked to emotionally invest me in the fracturedrelationship of these prepubescent teens.

Fantastic punctuation of the vampire mythos and cool to finally get an answer to what happens when a vamp enters your house uninvited.

Your recommendation as always was as precise as two fangs to the throat...thanks