Review of Let the Right One In (2008) by Thomas L — 08 May 2014

An emotionally deep movie only mathced by Pan's Labyrinth, this sheer masterpiece is the definition of a vampire romance done right. Everything works perfectly.

The camerawork is phenomenally well done, and the atmosphere is just unbelieveable. The acting is some of the greatest you can get from this generation's teen actors/actresses. Both Hedebrandt and Leandersson transcend their characters with such a grace and heartfelt emotion that you cannot help but admire it.

Calling this a movie about forbidden romance is really cutting it short. In the same style as Pan's Labyrinth, you can draw two different conclusions to the story where both interpretations makes just as much sense as the other. But where the movie shines brightest is probably in how mature and valid a story this is, despite having some classic clichés. However, those clichés are far from the main focus, as they are only a means of paving the way for a greater story to unfold. But what is by far the best thing in this movie is not the way the story wraps up, but rather how well the acting in this movie makes everything totally plausible.

Sadly though, this is one hell of an overlooked movie, and one of the greatest movies ever made of its genre. Forget about Twilight and True Blood. Those are merely cheap escapism for women dreaming of a handsome boyfriend of an occult nature, whilst Let The Right One In rather tells how a boy falls for a girl without knowing who she truly is.

I don't think there is any more I can say about this film. It is emotional, suspenseful, powerful and all around a phenomenal movie.