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            “Let the Right One In” (“Låt Den Rätte Komma In”) is a vampire film for those who desire something more mature than “Twilight” despite the fact that it’s two focal characters are twelve-year-olds (more or less).  It is not the typical tempestuous teen torment, but rather delves into deeper and darker emotions and survival in a cold, callous world. It is also about the bonding of two outcast loners who discover that they can save each other. 

            Oskar is a pallid, shy, outwardly stoic boy who bears the brunt of underserved extreme aggression from some of his classmates. He tries to avoid them, but, when caught, waits patiently and silently with closed eyes until they finish their assaults. He seems resigned to his fate, possibly because no one ever intervenes on his behalf.  Only when alone does he act out his longing to fight back.  Happiness enters his dreary life when he meets Eli, the new girl next door who seems almost as forlorn and isolated as him.

 Eli is an ethereal, quiet, wide-eyed girl with a ravenous hidden hunger.  She has some unusual qualities, such as walking barefoot in the snow, rapidly acing puzzles, and disliking candy. She encourages Oskar to have the confidence to stand up for himself and he, in turn, becomes her secret haven.

Don’t get the idea that this is a sappy romance or a drama for children.  This is a story of friendship and loyalties, but also of cruelty, fear, murder, and retribution.  Its environment is bitter from more than just the infinite expanse of snow.   Oskar’s life is nearly overshadowed by violence, both from actions done upon him and from his desire to emulate his enemies. Eli seems to regret the horror in her existence, but is eternally trapped in it. The ones most lacking humanity are not vampires, but children…but many of you who survived the horrors of adolescence would already know that.

The misfits and the misunderstood will feel a kinship with Oskar and Eli. This film exemplifies perfectly how very separate the worlds of children and adults can be…how even when they are together, they do not always see or understand the realities of the other side. In this case, there is the addition of a supernatural layer that is even more difficult for the uninvolved to grasp.  

“Let The Right One In” follows the traditional vampire canon marvelously and even surprised me by creating a novel answer to an old legend of the genre. The filming is as close to perfect as I could imagine and the acting was superb all around.  The filmmakers didn’t cram it full of the usual stereotypes and they don’t rely on the monsters to carry the show.  Special kudos should be given to John Ajvide Lindqvist, the author of both the original book, “Let Me In” and the screenplay. It is rare to be able to say in any monster movie, but in this case it is true, that even if this were an entirely human story, it would work as well.