Let the Right One In is a vampire movie that isn't really about vampires despite some pretty bloody scenes. It is a story about relationships and loneliness. It has more in common with a film like Lost in Translation than it does to Twilight in that regard despite its very Twilight-esqe moments. "I've been twelve for a long time," Eli says.
It also doesn't go into any of the vampire mythology, how Eli became a vampire or even really use the word vampire; it may be only mentioned once or twice. A vampire exists in this story and that's all you really need to know. Rather than focusing too heavily on typical vampire plot lines, the film instead digs deeper into what being a vampire means to a twelve year old girl. The beautiful part of the film is that it doesn't need any real explanation, it is told in a restrained and subtle manner that evokes emotion rather than intellectual analysis. Eli doesn't ever mutter, "It's so lonely being a vampire" or "I've finally found someone to connect with." Instead, you can sense these things through her actions, her expressions, her tender moments with Oskar.
The story begins with Oskar, a young twelve year old boy who is alone in the world. He has a distant relationship with his parents who are divorced. He is picked on mercilessly by bullies at school. He spends his nights sitting alone in the park by his apartment. There he meets a young girl named Eli who just moved in next door. She doesn't express it herself but you can sense she is alone in the world too. Obviously, she is a vampire.
If I had to categorize this film it would be an adolescent romance which is ironic considering it probably isn't suitable for kids, but take away the blood and dark ambiance and you get a touching and tender film that parents would gladly take their kids to. But the darkness works well for the film because of just how despairing the two kids' lives are. The darkness matches the loneliness in their hearts.
This film is well made all the way through, acting, directing, cinematography. The best part about the film is that it doesn't go about explaining itself, it allows things to develop slowly and lets the viewer soak everything in, the setting, the mood, the budding relationship between the two, Oskar's coming of age.
Let the Right One In is definitely a slow burner and those expecting Twilight will probably be disappointed, but those expecting an actually well made vampire romance should be delighted.
Grade: B+
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