Let the Right One In

This film was incredibly compelling. I really did not know what to expect while watching it, and yet, everything that the director chose to incorporate seemed to flow so naturally as the film progressed. My favourite choice that was made was that the creators of the film chose to omit certain details and explanations, and rather, allowed the viewers to come to their own conclusions with regard to the ambiguous happenings. For example, we are not initially told why the man was murdering innocent people and draining them of their blood. This act, which is blatantly unusual and powerfully disturbing, sparks an inner-dialogue within the viewer and initiates the act of putting pieces together. Throughout the development of the movie, we are then given more clues- we are introduced to the little girl, ghastly in appearance, who is outside without a jacket, seemingly-impervious to the frigid weather.

More and more details become incorporated until finally, we are fully aware of Eli’s condition- and this knowledge in itself makes us even more confused as to the nature of this film. Why is she a vampire? Why is the man willing to devote his life to helping preserve hers? Why is she so intrigued and fond of the little boy, when he is prey that she could effortlessly devour? These are the questions that arise within us, and they reverberate in the viewers’ mind until the very ending of the film. That is why I believe that the director did such an effective job in constructing a disturbing, albeit incredibly fascinating movie, as the viewership is compelled to want to know more, and thereby never stops pondering the elements of the storyline. It is also a very realistic film, despite starring a girl who plays a vampire, as it has both intense and normal elements in it. For instance, the majority of the sound in this film is diegetic, making for a very real and submersive experience. There is particular emphasis placed on the sound of breathing and footsteps, and resultantly, we are drawn to the more minute details of the production- like of imprints in snow, or the haziness of windows.