Let the Right One In (2008)

Oskar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl.

Director:

Tomas Alfredson

Writers:

John Ajvide Lindqvist (screenplay), John Ajvide Lindqvist (novel)

Stars:

Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 74 wins & 56 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kåre Hedebrant	...	Oskar
Lina Leandersson	...	Eli
Per Ragnar	...	Håkan
Henrik Dahl	...	Erik
Karin Bergquist	...	Yvonne
Peter Carlberg	...	Lacke
Ika Nord	...	Virginia
Mikael Rahm	...	Jocke
Karl-Robert Lindgren	...	Gösta
Anders T. Peedu	...	Morgan
Pale Olofsson	...	Larry
Cayetano Ruiz	...	Magister Avila
Patrik Rydmark	...	Conny
Johan Sömnes	...	Andreas
Mikael Erhardsson	...	Martin

Storyline

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? Set in the Stockholm suburb of Blackeberg in 1982.

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | boyfriend girlfriend relationship | solitude | 1980s | bullying | 

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Taglines:

Eli is 12 years old. She's been 12 for over 200 years and, she just moved in next door.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some bloody violence including disturbing images, brief nudity and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

(at around 1h 19 mins) The word "vampire" is only said once in the film.

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Goofs

(at around 42 mins) When Oskar goes to visit his father, his cheek appears untainted, despite the scar and bandage from before. Later, the bandage is back on and even later, the scar appears.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Oskar: Squeal like a pig. So, squeal.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Child Actor Performances in Horror Movies (2019)

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Soundtracks

Flash in the Night
Written by Tim Norell & Björn Håkansson
Performed by Secret Service

User Reviews

This film is the best vampire film in my life during 25 years in cinema world.

I saw it in Bangkok International Film Festival 2008 and love this movie very much.

It has something big and stunning about this lovely storyline to rivet my attention from the beginning to the end. Moreover, the cinematography and atmosphere in this film are undeniably superb. The chemistry between two preteen protagonists is outstanding and very believable. Everything in this film is well-made in synchronization.

This is the first film related to a vampire that I think is least connected to Vampire's teeth baring at audience all the times, like other familiar horror we used to see. Other than some gory scenes in this film, we can yet see some flesh and blood moment of humane Vampire. And that is truly written to the core plot.

The last scene at swimming pool is totally mesmerizing and mind-blowing.

By the way, if Sweden submits this movie to be in competition with other nominees around the world for Oscar foreign-language film category this year, this masterpiece should win or at least be short-listed for the final fives.

10 out of 10

Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish Spanish

Release Date:

12 December 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Let the Right One In

Filming Locations:

Blackeberg, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$49,295, 26 October 2008

Gross USA:

$2,122,065

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,227,336

Company Credits

Production Co:

EFTI, Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB, Filmpool Nord

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1