The suffering, romantic vampire is a bit of a Gothic trope these days. The “Twilight” series of books and movies are the best example of this phenomenon. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, but a lot of Horror fans want their monstrous vampires back –and they point to “Twilight” as the primary thief of their monster. In 2008, however – the same year the first “Twilight”film was released – a small film out of Sweden took the festival circuit by storm by giving us a vampire love story told with real originality and depth. That film was Tomas Alfredson’s LET THE RIGHT ONE IN.
Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) is a 12 year old boy growing up in the suburbs of Stockholm. He is relentlessly bullied by a group of peers at school and has few friends. One night, while outside fantasizing about getting revenge on his tormentors, he is interrupted by a mysterious girl who asks what he is doing. The girl is Eli (Lina Leandersson). She is new in his building, and she only comes out at night. Eli lives with a strange man named Hakan (Per Ragnar) who acts as her caretaker, but whose function is much more sinister. Oskar and Eli strike up a friendship that develops into more as Eli’s true nature is revealed. Eli is a vampire, and Hakan’s job is to procure blood for her. Hakan gets caught, however, and as Eli’s hunger grows, the danger of her being revealed does as well.
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is a truly original Gothic romance in that it presents Eli not as just some vampire, but as a child. Eli is a child living with an abnormal condition. Even though the film implies that Eli is very old, it also makes it clear that Eli is twelve. This vampire is a child just as much as any other twelve-year-old is. Eli processes her condition the way any tween-age kid would. Psychologically, she has never really grown up. Eli sees in Oskar someone her own age who might understand. He might understand Eli’s struggle as an outcast, at least.
The performances are very good all around. Kare Hedebrant and Leni Leandersson are both excellent in very challenging roles, and the supporting adults around them never “act down” to them. The brightly lit snows of Stockholm provide a refreshing new setting for the vampire mythos, and the sequences where Eli hunts and feeds are excellent Horror moments. There is even a terrific “vampire-killed-by-sunlight” scene, the likes of which has rarely been seen before.
Although LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is a fascinating and touching Gothic romance, it suffers from some pacing issues and the climax of the film is not terribly satisfying. Indeed, some of this film feels particularly “European” – and not in the good ways. Nevertheless, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN overcomes its shortfalls with its originality and performances. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is often called the story that “Twilight” should have been. Agree or not, it is certainly a love story not quite like any other, and that is a beautiful thing.
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN fun facts – Eli’s true age is never revealed.
The word “Vampire” is only used once in the film.
The sound of drinking yogurt was used as the sound of drinking blood.
Lina Leandersson’s voice was replaced by actress Elif Ceylan in post when it was decided that Eli’s voice should have a darker tone.
Eli - “I’m twelve, but I’ve been twelve a long time.”
Eli - “You have to invite me in.”
Oskar – “What happens if I don’t? What happens if you walk in anyway?”
Eli – “Please Oskar, be me for a little while.”
Oskar – “Squeal like a pig! So, squeal!”