Let the Right One In

(Lat den ratte komma in) is a haunting Scandinavian coming of age horror which succeeds on almost every level. A slight 12-year old boy named Oskar is experiencing bullying at school. The abuse is physical but the boy displays clear signs of being psychologically affected by his tormenters. One day a young girl moves in to his apartment block with an older man. He arrives at his usual climbing frame hangout spot one night to find the girl perched upon it. A conversation begins and he finds her to be quite to the mysterious one. This is a film about necessity, friendship and choices which has a constant threat of terrible violence hanging over it. The film is set during the Winter time and I guarantee that you will shiver at least once whilst watching this, and not just because of the frights,…particularly in the cinema where the snow seems to be all around. The film has a great look and tone, I felt the bleakness and desperation and was in awe of the film’s laconic tempo which the director managed to maintain despite the subject matter and mayhem. A slow-burning treat which more or less takes the vampire feature to a new modern level and is probably most reminiscent of Tony Scott’s first feature: stylish, erotic and decadent cult vampire film The Hunger (1983) and the recent popular romance Twilight (2008). An instant classic from Sweden based on the popular novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist.

Of course, the Hollywood remake is in production as we speak and is due to be released next year titled “Let Me In” (2010). I will very surprised if it is anywhere near as atmospheric. 8.5/10.