Let the Right One In (film) directed by Tomas Alfredson

Based on the Swedish novel of the same name, Let the Right One In follows the story of a bullied twelve year old boy who befriends and eventually falls in love with a 200 year old female vampire who looks like a thirteen year old girl. They form a symbiotic relationship: she helps him have the courage to stand up his tormenters, and he in turn will eventually be responsible for her well-being. I watched this movie with my seventeen year old brother, who thought the narrative between the vampire and the boy was beautifully romantic, where I was hoping that the vampire would be killed off, saving the world some trouble. While this movie does have teenage protagonists, it is mature enough to be thoroughly enjoyed by an older audience. The little details the filmmakers add in at the edges of the scenes, such as a pretty calm cat in a window turning hideously vicious as the vampire walks by give the film an unexpected richness. Winner of numerous awards, including Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2008 Toronto After Dark Film Festival.

5 stars