Let the Right One In (2008)

[yellowish haze]

YouTube - Let the Right One In Official HD Trailer

Synopsis: A well-crafted horror film in the tradition of Guillermo del Toro's THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE, Swedish import LET THE RIGHT ONE IN ably blends genre chills with genuine feeling. Oskar (Kĺre Hedebrant)... A well-crafted horror film in the tradition of Guillermo del Toro's THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE, Swedish import LET THE RIGHT ONE IN ably blends genre chills with genuine feeling. Oskar (Kĺre Hedebrant) is a 12-year-old outcast who is frequently picked on by his classmates. He dreams of getting his revenge, but he never stands up to the boys. With the arrival of his new next-door neighbor, 12-year-old Eli (Lina Leandersson), Oskar may finally have found a friend, ally, and first love. But Eli is no ordinary girl: she must keep her pale skin out of the sunlight, she can perform inhuman physical feats, and she has thirst for blood. The bodies begin to pile up, but Oskar can't stay away from the girl who has finally given him courage. Based on the novel by John Ajvide Linqvist (who also wrote the script), LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is the best kind of horror film: one that transcends the tropes of the genre to become something new. This is director Tomas Alfredson's first foray into horror, and he doesn't hesitate to include bits of vampire mythology. But his background making comedies and dramas gives the film a surprising depth; the relationship between Oskar and Eli is tentative and sweet, even though their interactions may be surrounded by blood and violence. Composer Johan Soderqvist and the sound department create a fascinating palette of music and sounds that add to the film's perfectly chilly mood, and setting the film in a snowy Swedish suburb gives director of photography Hoyte Van Hoytema a starkly beautiful environment for shooting. Though LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is ostensibly about a pair of children, this is a horror film for adults. There are plenty of scares, but it remains moving and intelligent, a rare feat for the genre.

[Beclabbered]

I really enjoyed this movie and wholeheartedly recommend it.
For those who live in the U.S. and are thinking about purchasing the dvd, it would be wise to wait a while. The U.S. distributor, Magnolia, used subtitles different than the theatrical ones (most likely because it was less expensive to do so) and, to put it delicately, they are dumbed down. Fans of the theatrical release sent letters of indignation to the company. As a result, Magnolia said they will make a new batch of dvds. On the back of the case the new ones will include the words "theatrical subtitles."
The tone of different scenes or conversations was drastically changed by the oversimplified subtitles. The theatrical subtitles are edgier and give the movie more of a dark sense of humor.

[waffles]

Thanks for the warning about the dvd subtitles.

I really enjoyed this movie too and recommend it highly.

[yellowish haze]

I've heard about the DVD subtitles being wrong. Here is an article about this:
Icons of Fright News and Updates: UPDATED: Let The Wrong Subtitles In To LET THE RIGHT ONE IN?!

[Ligeia]

I watched the movie last night and i was amazed. What i saw was a comment on modern society, the loneliness and violence that awaits every creature that's different from the mass, the alienation in the family, the pure love that comes natural when you find someone of your kind. A strong and moving film that everyone should see.

[Humble Genius]

Yeah, most vampire movies are garbage. But this one gets my vote. Very good. Best I've seen since Tale of a Vampire.

[Doctor Munoz]

Beautiful movie indeed. It reminds me a little bit of another one of a kind vampyr movie, the Mexican CRONOS by Guillermo del Toro.

[SwansSoilMe/SwansSaveMe]

I was impatient through this film, and unmoved. Can't really say why. It was OK, not scary. I actually got grossed by the horror/gore at the end. I liked the boy.

[yellowish haze]

In his review for Empire Magazine Kim Newman compared this film to Spirit Of The Beehive, Pan's Labyrinth and Orphee.

I've just started a new thread on Spirit Of The Beehive.