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Let the Right One In is a vampire movie, but like with everything else, it is not what you think. It is, and I’m sorry to say this, dully dread. It treats vampires as serious threats the same way Murnau and Herzog’s versions of Nosferatu do which is very serious indeed. It is also brutally painful watching two 12-year-olds on the cusp of adolescence and the demonic bond they form. This definitely is not for a target audience of 12-year-olds.
The film begins with Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) staring soberly out of a window. He somewhat resembles the boy in Bergman’s The Silence who was gazing outside of the train. This reflection should be familiar to both of them. Much like Oskar, they also have plenty to reflect on. There will be many reflections in the film, but this is not one of those vampire stories that have been dramatized with crosses and garlic.
Oskar is lonely to the extent where neither of his parents wants to live with him which causes immense emotional turmoil. He is also coaxing outside in the snowy Swedish night hoping to find someone. One day he swims, Eli (Lina Leandersson), does not have any friends, which makes her lonely as well and they team up to go swimming. Oskar is at the age where his life has completely detached him from reality which causes him to calm while accepting astonishing facts.
Oskar is brutally bullied at school by a cruel bully who, along with two smaller thugs, nearly drowns him in a swimming pool. During times like these, it helps to have a vampire as a best friend… A girl or boy vampire does not really make a difference.
It’s safe to say that I haven’t even begun explaining this film version of Tomas Alfredson’s work, which was based on his novel. The movie depicts the bizarre relationship Eli has with Hakan. Is he a familiar of sorts or does he purely enjoy the act of murder? I also don’t feel like touching upon the iron rod, the knife, Oskar’s parents, and the terrifying household. I’ve already set the tone to be dark and disturbing and yes, there are some humorous scenes too.
As I said, remove the vampire elements, and this becomes the sad story of two hollow children who have little to no emotion and are capable of dreadful actions. They are washed up on our shores of despair. The young actors are astonishing in very draining roles. Alfredson’s palette is so drained of warm colors, that even fresh blood is black, And let me remind you, there’s entire canon that states a vampire must be invited into a room before they can enter. Now the title makes sense.
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