Dir: Tomas Alfredson, 2008
Reviewed by: Chase
Synopsis: When a mysterious older man and young girl move in next door to Oscar, a small, bullied boy, an unusual friendship forms between him and the peculiar new girl, Eli. It isn't long before Oscar realizes that his new friend isn't like other girls. In fact, she isn't even human.
Review: Made is Sweden, Let the Right One In (and the equally affecting American remake Let Me In) is basically the anti-Twilight. The story might sound similar on paper--vampire + human = young love--but where Twilight contained sparkly skin and a pouting protagonist, Let the Right... has meat on its bones. It's violent, grim and meticulously paced. There's also a minor revelation about our little vampire, Eli, partway through the film that had me researching the film for days.
Essentially, it's a love story set in the bleak, dark shadows of a horror movie. Beautifully told through the eyes of two children, director Alfredson weaves a story so timelessly simple, yet grotesque and disturbing all the same. The two young actors are more than up for the challenge and deliver two unforgettable performances. Lina Leandersson in particular, as little Eli, is both stunning and chilling as the conflicted little blood sucker.
Essentially, it's a love story set in the bleak, dark shadows of a horror movie. Beautifully told through the eyes of two children, director Alfredson weaves a story so timelessly simple, yet grotesque and disturbing all the same. The two young actors are more than up for the challenge and deliver two unforgettable performances. Lina Leandersson in particular, as little Eli, is both stunning and chilling as the conflicted little blood sucker.
The film unfolds quietly yet intensely, always leaving much of the horror and gore to the imagination (most effectively done during the final moments of the movie). There are moments of absolute terror, most memorably Eli's guardian's midnight outings to get his young vampire her sustenance, but also moments of sweetness and innocence. The guardian's presence and role makes for a refreshing twist on the vampire genre. You'll have to watch the film to know what I mean.
As mentioned, there is an American remake, Let Me In, that is almost shot-for-shot the same beautiful, haunting movie, but with a few more jolts and some minor plot changes, so if you prefer to watch without subtitles I highly recommend the remake. The original, however, is the superior piece of art, in my opinion. Its cinematography alone is breathtaking.
This is one of my favorite movies, I think. It's a cinematic gem.
Rating: 9/10
Scare Scale: Moody and dark, intense and unsettling.
As mentioned, there is an American remake, Let Me In, that is almost shot-for-shot the same beautiful, haunting movie, but with a few more jolts and some minor plot changes, so if you prefer to watch without subtitles I highly recommend the remake. The original, however, is the superior piece of art, in my opinion. Its cinematography alone is breathtaking.
This is one of my favorite movies, I think. It's a cinematic gem.
Rating: 9/10
Scare Scale: Moody and dark, intense and unsettling.
No comments:
Post a Comment