Let Us In (2021) User Reviews

One of the younger audience...

[paul_haakonsen · 3/10 · 10 September 2021]

I sat down to watch the 2021 sci-fi horror movie "Let Us In" mostly because the movie had Tobin Bell on the cast list, but also because this was a horror movie that I hadn't already seen.

And I suppose that "Let Us In" is aimed at a younger audience than me, because director Craig Moss' movie fell short of providing me with proper entertainment. But hey, suppose you are a pre-teen viewer, then I guess that "Let Us In" will fall into your liking.

The storyline here was just simply a bit too ludicrous for my liking, and it was so difficult to take the aliens, known as Jungspars, serious in any way. I just gave up on trying to let the concept sink in and sweep me away, it just provided me with no enjoyment.

The acting in the movie was actually fair enough, but the actors and actresses had very little to work with in terms of a proper script and storyline. So it was a struggle to sit through this movie. Tobin Bell wasn't really in the movie for all that long, which I found to be a shame.

My rating of the 2021 movie "Let Us In" lands on a mere three out of ten stars.

For Kids

[gab-67599 · 4/10 · 3 July 2021]

I honestly thought this would be good starting off. Yes I give credit for the first part of the movie it was a very interesting story. Then they threw in Aliens and although I love a good sci-fi as much as the next person, this movie had me rolling my eyes. Reading another review posted, I hope this movie didn't cost $20mil to make! No real special effects or moments that wowed you at all. This movie was all on the actors shoulders and although they acted well I still could not help be feel like my time was wasted on this movie. I was watching it with my 11 yo, and some how by the end he had snuck out and was playing his tablet. It felt like they tried to put all the new slag kids use now a days inside this WHOLE movie, which made it salty af *Eye Roll*. I do not recommend this movie unless you have small children who love aliens or are too scared from the traditional scary movie. It felt like a below average movie, and nothing close to Goosebumps like another review said. Goosebumps was way above this movie, ijs. Last *Eye Roll*.

Could of been a contender

[gettintough · 5/10 · 9 September 2022]

This movie had a good premise. Acting was pretty good, but I take offense when little children are put in the position of using foul language every time you turn around. There is no need for it! The clique of girls bullying was not needed. It added nothing to the storyline. It could have focused more on the agenda of the aliens and their reasons for needing humans. Where they were from and their planets story. All in all a good young persons film other than pushing the foul language agenda. Most younger generation movies find the need to insert children being undisciplined by parental figures, such as in Poltergeist and ET. Showing kids being smart but disrespectful. It can be left out in my opinion.

Avoid this film. "I'm as serious as a tornado."

[simonmanessa · 1/10 · 21 July 2021]

Admittedly, I was quite baffled when I saw this film pop up in a brief New York Times article by Jeannette Catsoulis. Her somewhat favorable review, alongside comparisons to other iconic tween-centric properties such as The Goonies and Stranger Things, drew my morbid curiosity and I decided to view this film with an open mind, trying to stymie doubts about its quality and not go in to my viewing set out to dislike it. What transpired over this film's runtime left me confused and frustrated. Let's discuss!

This film was entirely bereft of atmosphere, compelling characters, and charm. The screenplay is shallow and predictable, relying almost completely on obvious, lazy tropes and formulas, from "Tragic Backstory = Instant Sympathetic Protagonist" to "Comic-Relief Sidekick" and all areas in-between. The characters, sequence of events, and set pieces are uninspired and derivative at best. When one inspects the filmography of the film's writer-director Craig Moss, who is responsible for gems such as "The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It" and "30 Nights of Paranormal Activity with the Devil Inside the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," one can understand immediately the quality to be expected from "Let Us In."

The script is so absent of creativity, it comes as no surprise that the performances of the actors and actresses involved are milquetoast and wooden, even from Tobin Bell of the "Saw" franchise, who is criminally underutilized as the "Creepy Town Weirdo" stereotype. At no point did I believe that there was confidence or energy placed in this film, both on-screen and off-screen. The cinematography is sterile and conventional, nothing is presented in an engaging or visually interesting manner to give this film any kind of identity. The score for this film is so painfully generic that I am convinced it was comprised exclusively of royalty-free music, it was that unbearable. The sheer volume of failures this film accumulates adds up over its runtime, resulting in an exponentially tedious experience.

Now if one wants to defend this film and its overwhelming wealth of flaws on the basis that it is a family-friendly horror film, that is very misguided. Having a family-friendly film of any kind, regardless of genre, does not necessitate a severe lack of quality and craftsmanship. The films "Coraline" and "Monster House" as well as the show "Gravity Falls" are prime examples of accessible, spooky, family-friendly media that have charm, are engaging and entertaining, and do not wallow in tedium and mediocrity. If the work is done and the effort is put in, then you'll never have to sacrifice quality for accessibility for all ages.

In short, "Let Us In" is a stellar role-model of what to avoid in filmmaking. If you as a viewer enjoy well-rounded characters, an intriguing premise, good humor, consistent internal logic, self-awareness, a half-decent script, and good chills, then do not waste your time with this, there are so many better options to choose from.

Uuuuummmmmmmm.... No.

[derek-a-charette100 · 1/10 · 6 December 2021]

I would sit here and explain why this movie is beyond terrible, but I have better things to do. So, briefly, BEK's (Black Eyed Kids) ARE a real phenomenon, but nothing like this joke of a movie portrays. BEK's are always dressed in old clothes that was worn in the 1700's. They DO NOT COME IN YOUR HOUSE UNLESS YOU ALLOW THEM TO.

They ask to come in and use the phone or watch the TV. They don't appear inside your house. Or a store. They don't speak like 10 demons speaking together, they speak softly like kids, and in old English accents.

THEY DON'T WEAR FREAKING HOODIES!

THEY DON'T WEAR FREAKING OAKLEYS!

THEY DON'T BREAK PEOPLES' ANKLES!

AND WHY ARE THESE 10- YEAR OLD KIDS HAVING PARTIES WITH RED SOLO CUPS LIKE WE USED TO DO WHEN WE WERE 18 YEAR OLD SENIORS AND IN OUR COLLEGE YEARS?!?!

I'VE NEVER SEEN 10 YEAR OLD KIDS PLAYING FREAKING BEER PONG.

This movie is beyond ridiculous. This movie looks like it was made for Nickelodeon before they went bankrupt, but never aired, and someone found it in a filing cabinet a few months ago and released it.

Last but not least... EDISON DID NOT INVENT THE FREAKING LIGHT BULB!!!!!!

In The Vein Of Goosebump

[kelticdharma · 2/10 · 15 July 2021]

For anyone interested in the paranormal, believing this film to be the real deal, my advice is move along. I was sorely disappointed being someone very familiar with the actual urban legend of the Black-Eyed Kids. It may be a great family movie to watch with kids 8-12 but wasn't what I expected at all. For a much better film on BEK, check out Hulu's Into the Dark: They Come Knocking. Much more true to the paranormal research.

I think they got the genre wrong

[sonown · 2/10 · 4 July 2021]

This should be in the Comedy genre. I get they tried to make this a family-friendly movie, but couldn't they have tried to make it a little bit scarier or at least have a story that made more sense.

Laughed so hard watching the last 10-20 minutes of the movie especially. The story premise had potential, but it was just poorly executed throughout the movie.

2/10 - Made me tear up.

Don't waste your time

[millerfamilybills · 1/10 · 23 November 2021]

Very disappointed. Poor acting & references made to "special needs" & "is that kid on the spectrum" that were completely unnecessary. I gave it 1 out of 10, but if there was a zero option, that's what my rating would be.

Nice film to watch with your kids or grand kids.

[pjcguy-963-677261 · 7/10 · 16 August 2021]

Hearkens back to the days of films like "Toy Soldiers" and other 80s&90s flicks. Not quite Spielberg, not so over the top, but I think kids will like it. I was going to tank the review in the beginning because Luke and Carly are within 20 feet of lots of kids, yet they are supposedly unable to yell or to find them, and the news report says there were no witnesses. As the movie progressed, I felt it was not so relevant because this is NOT an adult film, so it requires a different approach. Ms. Moss is a natural actress. Looking forward to her future roles. Adults? No reason to watch this without kids.

Let toddlers in

[108YearsOld · 2/10 · 29 July 2021]

So the aliens are just skinny college boys dressed up in black hoodies? And these aliens can be simply defeated by car headlight? WTF?? To be honest, the production is actually fine, but maybe this movie is made for toddlers.

In the tradition of ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK & GOOSEBUMPS!

[insprivet · 10/10 · 2 July 2021]

A great gateway horror for tweens/the younger crowd not yet ready for the intense, R-rated stuff. Very reminiscent of ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK and GOOSEBUMPS in all the best ways.

Wasn't horror but also wasn't bad.

[Shayankhan-7526 · 6/10 · 6 October 2021]

Ok I just get it that this one was not suitable for horror genre but still the movie was good. Acting was good,story was also good,and those black eyed people wasn't even too bad. I enjoyed the whole story from starting to ending.bBut maybe ending was kind of bit too dull. But yeah allover movie was worth to watch.

TERRIBLE

[louisajaustin · 1/10 · 3 February 2022]

Terribly written. Needed a better script, actors were decent but the story was BAD. And it doesn't even follow the urban legend of the Black-Eyed Kids.

Enough Scares

[docremi · 5/10 · 10 August 2021]

It gave me a few scares indeed. I found myself afraid to see the black-eyed kids 'alienap' another kid against their will and in a violent manner. Maybe because I fear physical pain myself. I did not like how the young girl was being gaslighted repeatedly for a horrible past child play.

AAVE

[taelorsmith-76877 · 1/10 · 23 January 2022]

Grossly upset at the lack of black representation (literally no talking parts) when they were using aave literally every 30 seconds - horribly might I add. "Thotties" "bye Felicia" "on fleek"?!

Mediocre with side of butchering of the use of AAVE

[dvespi-25111 · 4/10 · 16 October 2022]

This movie would have gotten a better rating if it wasn't for the disrespectful and horrific use of AAVE used throughout the film. I mean the level of cringe was too unbearable for me to just scrape by and finish the movie. It was most likely a non Black American millennial or older who wrote this trash of a dialogue.

The film really should've been made with high schoolers or maybe college students. Because some elements of the film felt out of place for middle schoolers. At times I felt like this movie could have been a comedy, which might have made it more bearable to watch. The only saving grace I felt was the the use of Tobin Bell (even though he was in it for a few minutes). The lore of the "Black eyed children" could've been better explained and the ending of this film was kinda disappointing.

Even the title is stupid

[Moviedog26 · 1/10 · 21 August 2021]

You know when you are about to watch a really bad movie? When it has teenagers in it. You know how you ruin a perfectly good tv comedy? You bring in a small kid (most likely a relative of the producers). Game over.

what is this?

[mrrebel-80382 · 1/10 · 1 March 2022]

I couldn't make it past 3 minutes. Tobin Bell most assuredly did someone a solid or he's broke as hell.. if you're going to be making a movie about the B. E. K. At least try to stick to the jest of the lore. Do yourself a favor and skip this nonsense.

Decent

[jdeines78 · 7/10 · 10 December 2021]

Its a decent movie. Has a creepy vibe. Not scary. Only problem is it dont follow the black eyed kids legend like it claims to. It would be a much better movie if the black eyed kids were in the age range of the actual reports and Legends.

Incredible "A' movie with heart made on a low budget.

[jw-wd · 10/10 · 3 July 2021]

To set the record straight, "Let Us In" was made on a low budget of $ 700K.

I know that for a fact. The other reviewer is very incorrect. This is a wonderful family movie, best described as Disney-ish with an edge. It stars a 12 year old who plays a 12 year old. Usually they get someone much older to play kids. All the young actors were actually the ages they played. Mackenzie Moss was amazing. The range and quality of her performance was impressive, as well as the rest of the cast. This is not a 'horror' movie. It is a heartwarming story of a girl who must find her way in the ruthless world of middle school while trying to save kidnapped kids who earlier bulled her. It has creepy parts and scary parts, but, as Tobin Bell (Jigsaw) said, this is a 'gateway' movie for horror that the whole family can enjoy and watch. Tobin Bell loves this movie and the amazing actors in it. My 5 year old granddaughter loved it, as well did I. Craig Moss (filmmaker & director) , did a phenomenal job, shooting only 14 days with kids, who have tutors and restricted hours, unexpected rains, and getting such a stellar cast and crew for so little. This film does what it was created to do. Tell an engrossing story about life, kids, school, friendships, hardships and persevering. Nothing new, but a lot of fun. Thanks.

Pretty good movie

[jneuman-94489 · 7/10 · 2 July 2021]

There were some cringe moments but it's a pretty good movie.

Fun watch

[jimilee_1971 · 6/10 · 5 December 2021]

This is a little campy, with some not so great child actors...but it was fun to watch.

The story line was solid and well thought out however it was predictable for the most part. My family enjoyed it and had no complaints with the movies as a whole.

Loved it!!!!

[aj-79481 · 9/10 · 3 July 2021]

I knew once I saw that Tobin Bell was in this movie, I had to watch, and I wasn't disappointed. Great storyline. I'm impressed with the acting skills of young McKenzie Moss!

90s Kids Horror Nod

[icocleric · 7/10 · 21 August 2023]

It was pretty good for a kids horror and, it has the same kind of tone/vibes as "Are You Affaid of the Dark" and "Goosebumps" from the 90s. Which did at times get a bit out there with concepts like aliens. If you were a fan of those, this might be for you.

It started off stronger than it finished, with a very creepy tone; but the horror did ease off, and it got that little bit more goofy. Still enjoyable, and fun though. The acting was good, the special effects weren't great.

I also didn't think the light weakness made sense with the smaller weaker lights. Considering what other light sources could be about. So it felt like a bit of a plot hole there.

Acting was good! The writing not so much

[AngelRReed · 7/10 · 31 January 2022]

I think the acting talent did well! The writing however came off lazy. The "Black Eyed Kids" were in bright light multiple times throughout the movie. Towards the end, suddenly light hurts them now. When they killed the girl in the bathroom, they were under bright lights. When they came in the window ceiling, there were lights. When Mr. Munch swept his porch, he did it in daylight. All this, but suddenly a cellphone light in a dark Forrest pains them too much? Other than that it was a cute fun movie .