Let The Right One In

Let the Right One In (Tomas Alfredson, 2008, Sweden)

Kåre Hedebrant stars as Oskar, a slight blond boy who's being picked on at school and has a lousy homelife with his divorced mother. He finds a friend in his new neighbor, Eli (Lina Leandersson), a strange and stinky girl who seems wise beyond her years. The two are meant for each other. They're both physically twelve years old and have a fascination with death. Oskar keeps a scrap book of murder stories from the newspaper while Eli does her best to add a few more headlines via her eternal nocturnal thirst. Yes, Eli's a vampire. But, fear not, this isn't some mushy love story. Instead, consider this film the antithesis of Twilight.

Moody and ponderous like any good film from Sweden should be, Let the Right One In is a rich film that was terrifically adapted by John Ajvide Lindqvist from his own novel. The author does well to tell a compelling tale while leaving in enough shadow of backstory to make the film a rich viewing experience. Once you see it, it'll stick your fangs in you and doesn't let go.