Let the Right One In (2008)
Directed by Tomas Alfredson
Starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl, Karin Bergguist, Peter Carlberg, Ika Nord, Mikael Ralm, Karl-Robert Lindgren, Anders T. Peedu, Pale Olofsson, Patrik Rydmark

This film was making noise here in the states way before it finally reached our shores. It was getting praise from around the world, being a new take on a very old theme. So once I finally got the chance to see it, how could it live up to this tidal wave of a reputation? Like everyone else, I was consumed by this incredible tale of loneliness, revenge, and that hope of finding a true friend.

Based on the book of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist, the film starts out by introducing our main character, Oskar, a 12-year old boy who is constantly being bullied at school. He doesn’t do anything about it, but dreams of fighting back, making these kids pay for the way they’ve been treating him. That theme alone resonates with a lot of people, making them relate to Oskar, understanding his actions completely. Oskar’s parents are divorced and he lives with his mother in an apartment complex in Sweden. One evening while sitting outside, he meets Eli, a young girl who recently moved next door to them in their building. Right from the beginning when she tells him that they can’t be friends, he is still drawn to her as much as she is to him. So their strange friendship begins.

It doesn’t take long before we learn more about Eli and her caretaker. She is a vampire, a creature of the night, or whatever name you wish to use. She lives on blood, has to stay out of the sunlight, and never grows old. And like most traditional vampires, is very lonely. One of the great things about this movie is that even though it there are the usual trappings of the vampire genre, such as the fear of sunlight, the feeding, the super strength and dexterity, there are still a few things going on that are a fresh look at the genre. The fact that it takes place is the winter in Sweden is one of them. While the tradition of not being able to enter someone’s house without being ask isn’t new, seeing what happens to them when they try anyway, is. And a pretty dramatic and emotional sequence as well.

The other great thing about this movie is the ambiguity of the character of Eli. At first glance, she’s a lonely little girl. But as we learn more about her, we know she really is more than the “12…more or less” that she tells Oskar. But there is more going on here that we just never know, even though it’s hinted at. The book is suppose to go into more details, but here we are given just enough to make us wonder. And I love that about this film. It’s another example that Hollywood could learn from, sometimes not needing to know everything.

The main impact of this movie is the emotions of the characters. Oskar is a lonely, terrorized young boy that dreams of revenge. He collects newspaper clippings of murders and other horrible things. But yet is too scared to change any of it. Eli is an old creature in small body that seems to need companionship. Even the old man who is Eli’s guardian is only there to serve her, which we can almost see him falling in love with this creature years before, much like the young Oskar is doing now. The same goes with the supporting characters that are affected by Eli. At the lost of one of his friends, a local cannot let go of his friend’s disappearance. So whatever happens to these characters, there is an emotional impact to the viewer. That is the real beauty of this film. All of this under the guise of a horror film.

One of the reasons this film works as well as it does, it due to its cast. Newcomers Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson give remarkable performances as Oskar and Eli. They immediately draw us into both of their characters and their worlds, empathizing with them the whole way through. Per Ragnar plays the near silent guardian that gives us so much characterization with very few words. Just the expressions on his face tell us his story and gets our compassion. The rest of the cast is also quite good as well, all drawing us into their feelings.

Just as strikingly cold and lonely as the film’s setting is the musical score by Johan Soderqvist. With soft and quite themes, he fills the movie with quiet music that flows along with the story perfectly. It’s very subtle in its presentation but very effective. When we first watched the film, the we almost didn’t even the music since it was playing so well with the emotions that were going on.

For the straight out horror fans, there is enough blood and a few make up effects that will keep you happy. Sure, the film is slower and more character driven, so if you’re expecting a Lost Boys or Underworld type film, you will be sadly disappointed. But if you just sit back and watch this bleak, cold and lonely story unfold before you, you will be sucked into it, much like the Oskar is when he meets very unique and strange Eli.