Go See: Let the Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in)
One of the standout crowd pleasers at Fantastic Fest 2008 was Let the Right One In, a quiet 'little' vampire film from Sweden. Those Scandinavians sure are making some very good horror genre films these days, and it's a refreshing change from the usual Hollwood drivel.What makes Let the Right One In a great is twisting up the genre by using young characters in ordinary settings. Make no mistake, this is no Twilight. You won't be hearing squeals of delight over a heartthrob in this audience. For one, the characters are much younger.
Loner Oskar is tired of being bullied and fantasizes about venegeance until he befriends another outcast, Eli is new to the building, and grudgingly befriends Oskar. What follows is both tender and terrible, and will leave you wondering just how innocent Eli is, even as you learn how innocent she isn't.
Based on John Ajvide Lindqvist novel (and screen adaptation), Tomas Alfredson allows the youthful longing and cool creepiness of the vampiric condition and consequences to drive the story, not gimmicks. In fact, the only two scenes that don't work well rely on CGI, and arguments can be made to support the CGI as well as the execution of them. Regardless, it's a near perfect film that will haunt you.
So if you enjoy creepy stories, twists on classic tales, or both, you must see Let the Right One In.
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