Let Me In-2010

Director Matt Reeves

Starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Grace Moretz

Scott’s Review #509

Reviewed November 4, 2016

Grade: A-

I loved Let Me In (2010).

It is nearly as exceptional as the original, Let the Right One In (2008), which is Swedish.

Billed as horror, it contains none of the typical horror cliches or corny dialogue- rather it is mysterious, compelling, and character-driven.

This in itself is refreshing.

Additionally, the cinematography is exceptional in its coldness, darkness, and good old-fashioned ambiance.

Let Me In is about a twelve-year-old outcast, named Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee),  who befriends a neighbor girl-Abby (Chloe Grace Moretz)- who we learn is a vampire.

Owen is bullied at school and through Abby, learns to stand up to his tormentors.

I am partial to foreign language films so, to me, the American version lacks the engaging language a bit and is not…well, foreign, so that detracts slightly, but not much at all, and this effort is quite remarkable.

This film is a horror film- in the classic sense of containing vampires and not being played for goofs- and quite gory, but also a beautiful, emotional film, and the concepts of sadness and loneliness are explored.

Let Me In (2010) is one of the best horror films I’ve seen in recent years.