Movie Review - “Let the Right One In”
*** 1/2 STARS
“Let the Right One In” is the new remarkably shocking horror film based on a 2004 vampire fiction novel by Swedish writer John Ajvide Lindqvist. The title refers to the Morrissey song of the same name (featured on the Viva Hate special edition album) but also to the aspect of vampire lore which says that vampires cannot enter a house unless invited. All of these details combine to make a truly original, horrific and spellbinding film that is breathtaking and scary all at once.
“Let the Right One In” follows Oscar, an overlooked and bullied boy, who finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl who turns out to be a vampire. This plot gives way for some pretty intense themes and shocking scenes that climax into one of the creepiest and sweetest endings of a horror film ever created. What you won’t expect going into this film is the underlined comedy aspect which by all accounts doesn’t belong in a blood soaked thriller.
The movie takes place in Blackeberg, a working class suburb of Stockholm. Both the film and book focus on the darker side of humanity, dealing with issues such as bullying, drugs, theft, pedophilia, prostitution and murder as well as the obvious supernatural themes. At its core this movie is a non-traditional love story with some mind bending and controversial elements that involve a young cast of super talented actors.
The quiet moments and images of falling snow give this film a real atmospheric and moody quality that is perfect for creating tension amd ominous feelings. The gorgeous cinematography and drab location of a small snow drenched Swedish town adds an artistic and sleak look to this film that heightens the suspense. The intense, bizarre and at times touching relationship these two young characters create make this film an intelligent and original horror movie that perfects the sometimes mediocre vampire film genre. With its shocking premise and scandalous ending this movie is hands down my pick for the best horror film of 2008.
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