Let the Right One In (2008) Review

Written by: EasterBunnyKiller   

I know this review is probably unnecessary, since at this point, everyone who knows anything knows that this movie is phenomenal, but alas, I am short on toe tags, and i need more to boost my ego and feel productive. If you somehow have not yet managed to see it, beware the spoilers.

Let The Right One In is everything that an innovative vampire movie should be. Although it has some scenes with some nice grue, and the backdrop for the story is pretty bleak, I'm still kind of hesitant to even call it horror. To me, it seems more like a drama, but with horror elements, the same way that Pan's Labyrinth has some horror elements in it, but is largely a drama.

I'm was hesitant to give it a perfect score, because even though the movie is probably one of the best vampire films ever, there are a few things I feel dragged it down. For one, while I can appreciate the artistry of the cinematography, many of the shots seemed to just go on forever when they didn't need to. I could understand prolonging a close-up on a character to show their expression, to show they might be working things out in their heads, but when there were times when I was like, "Okay... I get it. Please move on." and then would wait another five seconds or so before the focuses changed.  However, despite that, it still warrants 10 of 10.

The actors were amazing, and the little girl who plays Eli (yes, I'm too lazy to go look up her name) was the perfect look for the character. As I watched the film, I found myself thinking that it was plausible, because she had the look about her that not only was she going to grow up to be a creepy looking old lady, but it was already kind of there.

This is the sort of movie that makes me kind of ashamed that I'm American, because we can't seem to get our act together as far as original ideas on horror is concerned. At the end of the film, I found myself wondering... What next?

And it gave me an epiphany about the film, that gave it even more depth. Whether anyone else made the same connection, or whether it was intentional by the filmmakers, I don't know, but here it is:

I found myself thinking that it would make complete sense if Oskar wasn't neccesarily all that special to Eli. The way the movie ended made me think of the guy who was taking care of Eli up until the point where shit hits the fan and he ends up going out the hospital window. What if he was just another lonely kid that Eli had befriended many years before, saving his life. In turn, he took care of her. It would explain the look of resolve on his face when she came to his window. If that was the case, then maybe Oskar will end up killing so that she can feed as well.

That brought a whole slew of questions regarding Oskar's morality, about how he was so judging of the fact that Eli killed people, as well as a bout of self-reflection.

Most movies don''t involve you to a level like that. Most movies, and especially horror, end once the credits start rolling. Let the Right One In resonates. It makes you think. It transcends both entertainment and art, by melding them together so seemlessly, in a way that only a handful of films have ever been able to do.