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.
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