Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In) (2008)

Oooh sometimes a movie comes along that is just the right amount of understated and explosive, and it leaves this deep impression for days after viewing. Based on the novel of the same name, Let the Right One In follows 12 year old Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a lonely boy living with his mother in a suburb of Stockholm. He attempts to befriend Eli (Lina Leandersson), his dark-haired and mysterious new neighbor, and eventually they become a couple (in that cute, awkward pre-teen way). Shortly after Eli moves in, a teenager is found hung upside down from a tree with blood draining from his body, and a middle-aged man is killed by a child who sucks blood from his neck.

It's not a mystery to the audience; Eli is a vampire. But she doesn't want to be. She lives with an older man who has dedicated himself to her and collects blood so she doesn't have to be a killer. Unfortunately he is often unsuccessful, prompting Eli's self-sustaining murderous tendencies. Meanwhile Oskar is bullied at school but after some advice from his new girlfriend begins to stick up for himself in violent ways. The townspeople try to solve the murders, the bullies plan a vicious revenge, and Eli and Oskar become inextricably closer; eventually these interlocked storylines collide in shocking ways.

This movie is so good! The bleak snow-ridden landscape lends a somber, lonely mood to the story, heightening the effects of Eli and Oskar's deep connection. The pace is slow but never boring, building the relationships carefully so that each character's motivations are understood but their actions cannot be predicted. Lina Leandersson was absolutely amazing as Eli, especially impressive as this was her first film- she was cold but sympathetic, and carried the dual nature of her age (somehow both 12 years old and ancient) extremely well. As far as I can tell her voice was completely dubbed to give her a deeper tone, but it was not at all apparent when watching. And Kåre Hedebrant was incredibly endearing (also his first film). The effects are minimal, but done memorably and impactfully.

I haven't read the novel, but apparently Eli's character was meant to be androgynous: before becoming a vampire he was a little boy who was castrated, or something along those lines. Reflecting back on the movie there are hints to this characterization, but it was not apparent at the time. I wonder why John Ajvide Lindqvist, who wrote the screenplay as well as the novel, chose to remove most references to it. It would be controversial perhaps, but I think it's a really interesting component to an already idiosyncratic love story and it's too bad it was adjusted for the screen. Oh well. Nevertheless this is a beautiful, touching, marvelously executed horrific love story. Go see it already!

4.5/5