Let Me In (2010)

I struggled a bit with deciding to watch the original Swedish version of this tale or the American remake that came out this year. I had heard good things about both so today seemed like the perfect opportunity to do more of a review and save the comparison for when I watch the European original this week.



The main story of both films involve two lonely teens. One spends his evenings outside by himself while the other has just moved into the housing complex the first child lives in.

When they first meet she tells him that they can't be friends with him but doesn't say why. He doesn't care because he wouldn't know what to do with a friend if he had one.


Over several cold nights the two begin to bond and he learns that she can be outside without shoes and doesn't get cold. She also smells funny to him. These are the first clues that this girl is not normal. I knew the history of both films so little of what they slowly release is any surprise to me.


Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass) is a revelation. To see such maturity in such a young actress (especially with this source material) really propelled my enjoyment of the remake picture. She is a monster, an ancient monster but she is sympathetic too.


It's heartbreaking to see the two children (?) become great friends despite warnings to stay away from each other. You are angry at the adults for keeping them apart despite the fact that you know it is all for their own good. That dicotomy of emotions really messed with my head at times. I really wanted them to end up together like at the end of some Disney Channel tween romance.

The girl and her handler/protector have an interesting relationship with each other. The way that he protects her and her secrets is very fatherly though she is the one truly in charge.

I liked this type of horror movie because the characters are real and not unkillable or supernatural (well sure there is a vampire but she is not someone you always see as a threat. In fact you want to save her).

There is great tention as the story unfolds and you find your alligences not where you expect them to land. It's unfortunate that too many young people have been spoiled by the 'Saw' torture porn that passes for horror/suspense these days. Just because the screen is not saturated with blood for the entire screen time is no reason to avoid this terrific remake.

I know it is going to stay with me for days.