Let the Right One In (2008)

Director: Tomas Alfredson

Writer: John Ajvide Lindqvist, based on his novel

Stars: Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Elif Ceylan, Patrik Rydmark, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl

Oskar (Kare Hedebrant), a lonely Swedish boy filled with darkness and rage, befriends a vampire, Eli (Lina Leandersson, with vocal performance dubbed by Elif Ceylan), who appears to be a girl of the same age.

 

This film challenges us to explore the limits of our empathy. 

It is easy to sympathize with Oskar, who is the victim of a particularly craven bully (Patrik Rydmark), but we soon see that he has a fascination with violence.

 

His flat emotional affect suggests deep psychological problems and his rare displays of happiness or satisfaction come at times when he has witnessed or caused harm to another.

 

He becomes increasingly bonded to Eli, even when witnessing things that would cause most to turn away in horror.

 

This film actually has a lot to say about the mentality of teens who end up committing atrocities like Columbine.

 

However, instead of going to school with a gun, Oskar ends up…but that would be telling.

 

This excellent film’s quiet atmosphere accentuates the horror.

 

Fine direction by Tomas Alfredson.