Let the Right One in - Nice take on the whole ‘vampire myth’

Sometimes you may wonder if every different version of those infamous blood-suckers hasn’t already been done to death.  The big screen has had every incarnation from a planet run by vampires (Daybreakers) to vampires that came from space (Lifeforce) and twinkling vampires (that franchise that cannot be named).  So, here we have a Swedish offering based on the book of the same name – ‘Let the Right One in.’

It’s set in the eighties if you’re wondering where the ‘bad’ haircuts came from and we’re introduced to a young lad who is being bullied at school (Oskar).  Now, rather than tell a responsible adult about his troubles, he enlists the help of the ‘new kid on the block’ (Eli). And, it just so happens that the little girl who has moved into the flat next door is full of secrets – mainly associated with the blood-thirsty deaths that have been happening in the community ever since the girl moved into the neighbourhood.

I can’t compare the big screen adaptation to the book as I haven’t read it, but it certainly is an ‘earthy’ take on vampires.  By that I mean that if you can suspend your disbelief to appreciate immortal bloodsuckers living among us, then you will be able to believe that this is probably how it would go.

It’s a pretty bleak film, not just in content (killer-child vampires are hardly happy-go-lucky types), but also in look and feel.  The snowy setting is quiet and eerie and also used to perfection to create a look and feel for the film.  There’s plenty of great shots that are brilliantly-framed and even have a slight ‘Kubrick-feel’ to them (my opinion, anyway).

‘Let the Right One in’ won’t be for everyone.  It’s hardly fast-paced and you’ll have to put up with the subtitles (those foreign films, eh?).  Plus there is a decent amount of gore and red stuff flying here and there.  I noticed a couple of slightly cheap-looking CGI effects in there, but I’m guessing the film didn’t have the budget to do any better and I can forgive those on account of the overall story and feel.

There is an American remake out there and it’s not that bad either, however it’s so similar that if you like the sound of this sort of deep, slow, arty vampire tale then you might as well just watch the original.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one