Let Me In Trailer #1

[Video Link]


I have been fearing this day since I first heard about the American remake of 2008's (yes, 2008's!) "Let the Right One In" a few years ago, and it seems like my fears may have been well deserved. The original trailer for the film didn't rely on any dialogue or voice-overs, and came across as something much more intriguing and mysterious than the trailer for the remake. Don't get me wrong, it could still turn out to be a great film, I just fear that the new director is going to take to many chances with his "re-envisioning" of the story.

I am not going to lie, "Let the Right One In" is not only one of my favorite films, but one of my favorite books as well. This upcoming film has a lot to live up to, and from what I have read and seen so far it looks like it is going to be more of a localization than a remake.

Let the Right One In The Novel Impressions

So I have finally decided to venture into the realm of book reviews. Why not, right? And what better way to start than with my favorite book? Ever.

Seriously, I am in love with this book. I saw the film a few months ago and, big surprise, loved it. The book, however, was tremendously better. Sure, a book being better than films based on it isn't a new phenomenon, but Let the Right One In doesn't suffer from the transition.

Differences Between the Novel and the Film: The film cuts out a lot of the grit and "controversial topics" that are explored in the novel. This is understandable though seeing as they wanted to give it as wide of a release as possible and the novel is very dirty. Also, a number of characters, and/or their backgrounds and storylines, are left out of the film as well. This is probably because of time constraints, of course, but the film adds a level of mystery to Eli by not fully disclosing "her" past. Almost all of the vampire lore is also left out of the film, but that isn't really something that you'd want in a film if you can't go into it fully.

So yes, Let the Right One In is dark, gritty, and intelligent. It kind of turns the vampire genre on its head by making you feel for the blood thirsty monster that kills to live. The characters are colorful, tormented, well developed, and well, human. They feel like real people as opposed to just characters in a story. The novel explores the vampire mythos like few others have and is a definite breath of fresh air in a Twilight polluted world. It doesn't hold anything back or paint any pretty pictures. Lindqvist is a true genius of the horror genre.

I won't be grading books like I have been films and games, but I will say that Let the Right One In is a must read by anyone who loves a good story. Still, it is definitely not a book for children or even squeemish adults.

Let The Right One In Impressions

I know that it is kind of late, but I just finished watching this film and I am obligated to praise it. Yes, I enjoyed it that much. This film is in Swedish with English subtitles... in case reading is a put off for you... anyways, read on!

Here is a short synopsis a la Flixster:

"Oskar, a bullied 12-year old, dreams of revenge. He falls in love with Eli, a peculiar girl. She can't stand the sun or food and to come into a room she needs to be invited. Eli gives Oskar the strength to hit back but when he realizes that Eli needs to drink other peoples blood to live he's faced with a choice. How much can love forgive?"

I know what you are thinking: this film sounds a little bit too much like that vampire movie we all love to hate, Twilight. While the two films do share the fact that they are based off of bestselling novels, allow me to be the first to tell you that Let The Right One In is nothing like Twilight. It is dark, chilling, violent, amusing, romantic, and beautiful all at once. This film declines the cheap theatrics that have marred the medium in past years and pushes on with pure, and slowly building, storytelling. While the acting by both of the main characters was excellent, I believe that it is safe to say that Lina Leandersson was the shining gem of the film. She portrayed the dark, lonely, conflicted, and murderous Eli perfectly. She was able to show the two hundred year old cautious and violent vampire while maintaining sad and lonely "girl-ish" (I won't spoil the surprise) Eli underneath it all. Along with this, the cinematography was absolutely fantastic and the music did not detract from that, which can be a common issue nowadays.

I am awarding Let The Right One In a perfect five out of five, as well as a rightful place amongst my favorite films list, because it is the first vampire film, and horror film for that matter, that I have been able to wholly support in ages. I understand that the film shies away from some of the content of the novel, which I will definitely be reading now, but I really want to see what happens next. I can only hope that more of the story is told eventually.

Visit here to view the international trailer for the film and I can only hope that you "get your hands" on it somehow, though the film will be released sometime in March of 2009 I believe.