Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Let the Right One In (2008)
"Let the Right One In" has earned its place as one of the best vampire movies ever made in a genre that has seen a plethora of such films. The film is a brilliant blend of two very different stories.
On the surface, it tells the tale of Oskar, a young boy who is constantly overlooked and bullied. His life takes a turn when he finds both love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl who becomes his ally. A simplistic portrayal of a relationship, perhaps, but there's a lot more to it.
The deeper narrative, however, demands a more thoughtful dissection. It revolves around an ancient parasite, a monster that thrives on human life. This creature masterfully lures in its victims, exploiting their sympathy before sucking the life out of them, reducing them to mindless, cannibalistic corpses.
Deceptively, this monster can mimic love and humanity. Yet, having existed for centuries and killed countless people, it brings into question whether it even understands the concept of love or remembers its own human past. Its primary need is a human caretaker to protect it during its daytime slumber. It cunningly manipulates the human, making them believe it cares for them until they are entirely under its control and isolated from their known world, thus becoming utterly dependant on the creature.
Perhaps the monster convinces itself that it cares for this human in some way, but its parasitic nature is undeniable. The human eventually becomes a pitiful shadow of their former self and is discarded once the creature finds a more useful candidate. This human will live as a thrall to the creature, participating in murders, preparing victims for consumption and never truly free until their usefulness expires. The human is nothing more than a slave, valuable only for the blood that courses through their veins.
While a remake exists, I highly recommend sticking to the original. There's a depth and nuance that the remake simply fails to capture. "Let the Right One In" is a must-watch for its chilling exploration of monstrous parasitism under the guise of love.
- You are not a fan of suspense or thriller genres.
- You are uncomfortable with depictions of violence and gore.
- You dislike movies that contain elements of horror.
- You prefer movies with a lighter, more humorous tone.
- You are under the age of 15, as the movie contains mature themes and scenes that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "Let the Right One In?"I mean, it's a movie about a kid who befriends a vampire. I can't even make friends with my next-door neighbor, and this kid's hanging out with the undead!
And how do these vampires keep their clothes so clean? I spill coffee on my shirt and it's a disaster. Yet, these guys are out there nightly, biting necks and not a single blood stain! Who's their dry cleaner? I need that guy's number!
And another thing, they're in Sweden. It's freezing cold out there. If I was a vampire, I'd be in Miami, maybe the Bahamas. Sunny beaches, endless night clubs. Perfect for a night owl, am I right? But no, they're in Sweden, where it's dark half the year and the other half it's... still pretty dark.
The Others (2001):
If you enjoyed the gothic and chilling ambiance of "Let The Right One In," then "The Others" is another captivating film. Directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring the remarkable Nicole Kidman, this horror-thriller takes place in a remote country house filled with darkness and mystery. Like "Let The Right One In," the suspense builds gradually, taking the viewer on a haunting exploration of the unknown.
Thirst (2009):Produced by renowned South Korean director Park Chan-wook, "Thirst" offers a unique blend of romance, horror, and drama. This vampire-themed art-house film shares the melancholic tone and atmospheric tension present in "Let the Right One In," delivering a captivating experience that transcends the standard confines of the horror genre.
Under The Skin (2013):"Under The Skin," starring Scarlett Johansson, is a visually stunning science fiction film directed by Jonathan Glazer. Its element of the extraordinary lurking within the mundane makes it a compelling watch like "Let the Right One In". This is a film that slowly but surely unfolds its narrative while leaving much to the viewer's interpretation.
What We Do In The Shadows (2014):Stepping away from the serious atmosphere of "Let the Right One In," "What We Do In The Shadows" is a mockumentary horror comedy that provides a very different, but equally entertaining take on the vampire genre. Directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, the movie uses humor and satire to explore the presumptive prosaic lives of a group of vampire roommates. It could offer a delightful change of pace while still resonating with the themes of vampirism.
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