Let the Right One In

Let the Right One In

This Swiss horror film not only depicts a new age version of vampires, but also explores the psyche of a young boy growing up with separated parents. This makes the story more relatable. It also takes place in a rather suburban area. This environment makes the film even eerier as it is in a typical setting, and therefore is easier to picture ones own neighborhood being inhabited by vampires assuming the guises of everyday people. Like most horror films, the movie poses questions for the viewer as the story unravels. Questions like, where is this girl from? Who is this older male companion? And why is he even helping her? These questions aren’t even clearly answered in the film. Yet by having unanswered questions it allows the viewer to be inquisitive and engaged as the film progresses. They also have the usual group of “victim” type people, attempting to investigate Eli and solve their friend’s death. This of course just leads to more death and whoever goes looking for answers finds out, only too late, the truth. This is a very common occurrence in horror. There is a great use of shadows and darkness in the film as most of it takes place at night so that we can really see Oskar and Eli interact. Suspense is played with by the director’s use of music and also by not really showing us in detail what is happening.  In this case the imagination does all the work, providing a scarier experience overall. Eli is a sympathetic “monster” much like in Frankenstein.  She really cares for Oskar and he for her. This is an adolescent, growing up movie gone wrong. At times though the viewer can forget that they are watching a horror film because the cinematography’s so beautiful. The white snow with the bright red blood appears almost poetic until you realize what is actually going on. The use of the apartment as the main setting, much like a castle would have, acts as a location with many doors and potential danger or mystery inside.  Secrets guide the plot of this film with just a hint of vengeance along the way.  Overall it is disturbing how beautiful the audience will find the film and how ready we are to be right there with Oskar and help this 12-year-old girl.