"Tomas Alfredson’s vampire thriller... truly inspirational film-making that pumps new blood into a well-trodden genre."

Tomas Alfredson’s vampire thriller is one of the most beautifully shot and poignant films of the genre in recent years. Hopefully, this foreign-language film will not go unnoticed with UK audiences as it is genuinely chilling for two reasons: In addition to the horrifying, blood-sucking moments, there is a harrowing, coming-of-age depiction with some superb performances from its child stars. In fact, it could be argued that the vampire perspective is actually a sub-plot of the true story, which is one of trying to fit in at such a defining age, whilst dealing with the awkwardness of being different.

Both ‘human’ loner Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) and his bizarre and pretty new friend Eli (Lina Leandersson), a creature of the night, are trying to come to terms with what life holds for them and the future, whilst dealing with strange new feelings associated with puberty and growing up. In fact, this vampire tale places exploring the psyche of the Undead at a greater value than the sideline aspect of Eli’s feeding habits. The opening focus of curiosity is actually the matter-of-fact manner in which Eli’s father (although this is never fully acknowledged) carries out his paternal, ‘hunter-gatherer’ role of finding fresh food to for his daughter. Initially, we are horrified and fascinated by the clinical and butchering after-dark antics of the father, and could be forgiven for believing it to be another stranger slasher movie, if the synopsis was not know. In fact, writer John Ajvide Lindqvist’s tale delves into the different meanings of the word ‘killer’ - both actual and literal - as the local school bullies try to destroy Oskar’s being and self-worth, before it has had a chance to develop. There is also a rather tragic sense of the ‘uselessness’ of all adults in the film, in providing protection for their young. This represents the necessity of growing up for the two young characters, in that they must learn to take proceedings into hand to survive.

Alfredson’s film chooses not to adopt the Hollywood-heavy reliance on blood-curdling special effects and dramatic music to set each moment of a kill, and the result is a more ‘natural’ representation, almost like watching a stylised nature programme of a carnivorous species’ nocturnal survival techniques. There is one scene, though, where Oskar’s bullies come to an untimely end in the local swimming pool, but which still refrains from showing the actual slaying and, in a unique piece of film-making, shows the demise of the bullies from the underwater point-of-view with Oskar.

Let The Right One In has a calming and magical feel to it - as everything does in the snow, helping build on the superstitious nature of the film. With every violent, turbulent moment the falling snow signals a new clean slate, only for disorder and chaos as a means of survival to rear its ugly head again. Let The Right One In is truly inspirational film-making that pumps new blood into a well-trodden genre.

Synopsis

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 people’s blood to live he’s faced with a choice. How much can love forgive? Let The Right One In is a story both violent and highly romantic, set in the Stockholm suburb of Blackeberg in 1982.

Film Facts

Official site: http://www.lettherightonein.co.uk/

UK Release Date: 10th April 2009

Director: Tomas Alfredson

Writer: John Ajvide Lindqvist (and the novel)

Cast: Kare Hedebrant ('Oskar'), Lina Leandersson ('Eli'), Per Ragnar ('Hakan'), Henrik Dahl ('Erik'), Karin Bergquist ('Yvonne'), Peter Carlberg ('Lacke'), Ika Nord ('Virginia'), Mikael Rahm ('Jocke'), Karl-Robert Lindgren ('Gösta'), Patrik Rydmark ('Conny')

UK Distributor: Momentum Pictures

Certificate: 15

Run-time: TBC

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