On the face of it, Tomas Alfredson’s Swedish film about two 12 year olds shouldn’t work, but it really does. It is fairly disturbing.
Set in a snowy suberb of Stockholm, it tells the story of the fragile boy Oskar, brilliantly played by Kåre Hedebrant who becomes friendly with his new neighbour Eli, who appears as a girl. Eli is a vampire, and has been 12 years old for a while.
Let The Right One In
And this film, although very gory in bits, as a vampire movie is, actually focuses on the friendship between the two children, and the bullies at Oskar’s school. It is a love story in a way, and the ending is left very open.
Lots of attention to detail – apparently the most realistic sound of drinking blood was found by trail and error to be yoghurt, and the sound of the children’s eyelids opening and closing was done with sliced grapes.
Without spoiling this for anyone yet to see it, this film is completely spellbinding, and the while the images will haunt you for a while – the performances by the children, and the whole concept will stay with you for longer.
Highly recommended – and do go and see the original before a Holywood version, already in production, hits the screens. Subtitles are not difficult!
I really enjoyed this film too – particularly the cold urban landscapes. Some of the violent parts towards the end were a bit over the top, but generally really good.
I can’t believe they’re making a Hollywood remake!