Let Me In (Let the Right One In remake)
| release date | October 1 2010 |
| studio | Hammer Films, Overture, Relativity |
| director | Matt Reeves |
| writer | Benjamin Smith, John Ajvide Lindqvist |
| starring | Kody Smit McPhee, Chloe Moretz, Richard Jenkins, Elias Koteas, Cara Buono, Sasha Barrese |
| tagline | What dies beneath? |
| site | letmein-movie.com |
| trailer 1 | Trailer #1 |
1 Comments
First off, let me start by saying I am a die hard fan of the original movie, and the book.
This movie tries so damn hard to be the original, and just fails at it from every way you look at it. There are plenty of scenes that are dead on scenes from the original, the setting is identical, but it lacks the charm and atmosphere that the original had.
Some characters from the original were taken out or replaced, some scenes were altered slightly, or put in at different times of the movie, and that is all well and good but I could not get into the movie at all. Every actor, and I mean everyone, were boring and bland, and pretty much make you want to walk out of the movie. There was not one stand out performance, it was as stale as could be.
The CGI in this movie is horrific, just a plain and simple shame, I really don’t know what they were thinking.
Now, I know it is hard in America to make a movie with pedophilia as an underlying sub-theme, but when the ENTIRE story calls for it, then it has to be done. You either do it right or don’t do it at all.
Owen, was no Oskar, and Abby, was sure as hell no Eli. The “Father figure”, was the worse I think. Hakan from the original sold his role so much better then this one.
I simply disliked this film and think it is a mockery to the original. Why did I give it a 3 instead of a 1? Well the fact is, this is a remake that tried doing it right, and for that I have to give them credit. They failed, but at least they were on the right path.
The entire time watching this film, all I kept thinking was that this movie felt rushed, unfinished, lacks depth. I hate comparing remakes to the original, but when you try 100% to be the original, then there is no getting around it. This film is forgettable and boring, and hopefully will fade away with time. Can America bring over the original, so people who are interested in “Let Me In” can see what it should be, cause I know these people won’t pick the book after seeing this garbage of a remake.
Better luck next time Hammer, you are on the right path though.
I loved the original and i quite enjoyed the remake, Chloe is just perfect as abby and everyone else was great too. i wouldnt say it approves on the first or is better bet def recommend seeing it
For my longer official review please check my movie review blog martyrreviews.blogspot.com/
Good remake of an awesome original: this is how it should be done. Homeboy below is nuts, this flick was great, but he was right about one thing… the CGI was horrid. But then, isn’t that just about every flick that uses it nowadays? (Funny how time is making CGI worse instead of better… How the hell did Jurassic Park do it so well almost 20 years ago when it looks so shitty today?) But yeah, go see it, Let Me In is a creepy, touching (yeah, I said it, wanna make something of it?) tale about first love gone horribly wrong.
I really enjoyed Let Me In and i’m a little pissed they didn’t show a zippered up or freaky sex organ of the vampire like in the original it just shows him looking while she put his moms dress on but other than that it was very good both young actors did a great job and it’s a very good horror movie, now tell me how twisted and sick I am, I want some fava beans!!!
This movie is fuckin beautiful. The acting is brilliantly done, and I would be the first to say this surpasses the original. And I would also be the first to admit I NEVER WANTED TO SEE THIS since it was all SHOT BY SHOT. Well let me say all you bitchin and moaning that it is shot by shot will not be let down. Yeah everything is like the old one but some how he manages to spruce it up in scenes and make everything better.
I actually started to get teary eye during parts. And bullys were fuckin assholes. And you wanted them to die.
Great film and the best horror movie of 2010.
And best remake in the past like 10 years. Or actually maybe ever.
The movie by itself is very good, but when comparing to the original i get the feeling they could not decide on an identity. The original left a lot to the imagination with barely anything too aggressive. This remake seems to want over the top brutality that was only hinted at in “the right one” yet holds back at certain points for no reason. They should have set out to make their own movie instead of half assing it and filling in their gaps with direct copies from the original.
I felt the need to log in just to say that this movie was….fucking epic.
This has to be the most overrated horror movie I’ve seen in quite some time! I don’t care what people are saying because I think it brought really nothing new to the story and it didn’t bring it to a new level, it was too faithful to the original which I thought was a tad better but not all that. The leads were great but I’ve seen better from them and it seems like they were whispering to eachother more than anything but I still think that they are likable compared to most child stars. The sound and feel of the film is much better but pretty much the rest is the same and if I wanted to see the same film I would just rent the original Let The Right One In. There wasn’t any true scares or amazing gore at least that we haven’t seen before except for the acid scene which will make you squirm in your seat and it has a slow build up but the thing that draws you in the most is the story and the love the two leads have for eachother so this is more of a drama/thriller than a full blown horror film so you’ve been warned. Overall this is one the most disappointing film I’ve seen this year but you might get something more out of it if you haven’t seen the original and I still have respect for Matt Reeves who directed the brilliant Cloverfield which was fresh, suspenseful, thrilling and different the same can’t be said about Let Me In. Wait for dvd or just watch the original which is pretty much the same film. More of a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Great remake, but it doesn’t touch the original. I actually did enjoy this one.
Better than the re-make, yes and no. There were certain things in it that made the re-make better, like the pool scene. But the whole Morse code thing i think was not executed right in the remake. Abby is is totally wicked compared to the tame Eli, and you actually feel bad for Owen, who really was by himself, unlike Owen, who had his mom to talk to. Comparing it to the original, this movie, for me at least, would not get a perfect score, but viewing it as a stand alone movie, it is great, and a breathe of fresh air from all these teeny bopper vampire movies. Also anyone who refuses to see this movie because it is a remake, is for lack of a better word “dumb” this movie is excellent. Go see it right away.
The Swedish film LET THE RIGHT ONE IN was this quiet and moody tale of a disturbed boy who falls in love with a vampire. Its originality came from the way it stuck to all the “rules” of vampires in legend while setting it in a very un glossy and practical modern day setting. It was a character study of a very lonely boy who dreamt of inflicting pain and suffering upon the bullies at school. The American remake LET ME IN is not an improvement upon the original. It is an Americanization of it. There are not so much scenes and characters that are changed and switched around, but themes are emphasized here that weren’t’ before. There have been a recent string of teenage suicides due to bullying at schools here in America, and this film could not have come at a more important time.
Cody Smit-McPhee plays Owen, An angry 12 year old that lives in a subsidized living complex in a snowy New Mexico waist land during the early 80′s. He fantasizes about killing, going so far as to don a mask and stab a tree trunk he’s pretending is a helpless victim. It’s disturbing and uncomfortable, especially coming from our main protagonist. One day a curious little girl and her “father” move in next to him. They slowly grow an affinity for each other. “I’m 12…more or less” she says at one point. It’s fun to see all the hints the film works into the plot about her age. At another point she looks down at a playbook of William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliette and knowingly smirks. What does that imply? Abby doesn’t get older because she’s a vampire. In the original Swedish film her “father” turns out to be an aging love who had met her when HE was a small child. In this American version, they actually take that one step further. This father figure of hers is actually a pedophile, a point that is made abundantly clear here in a scene that is graphic in its implications, and mercilessly slow in its execution. More is made of the bullying as well. The mean kids at school were a faceless threat in the original. Here they are given more to do. You see the chain of command, and the low self esteem and the vicious cycle. Again the timing of this film and the emphasis on real and timely threats here in America give LET ME IN a gravity and importance that would be lost in any other culture.
Chloe Morits plays Abby the vampire. She has a VERY hard task in the film. Is she honestly attracted to this lonely boy? Or does she look at him as simply another caretaker she can use to replace her aging one? Her performance works both ways and is spellbinding. I was reminded of Bruce Willis’ wife in THE SIXTH SENSE. Upon first viewing she had to act like a scorned lover. Once the twist is revealed she was actually morning his loss. Chloe Moritz doesn’t have as flashy a part as Cody McPhee, but her understated role is infinitely more complex. Dakota Fanning better watch her back.
Matt Reeves has made so many smart decisions as a director. He kept the heart and soul of the source material and at the same time changed its trajectory. Opening the film with an ambulance racing through the dark while President Ronald Regan plays on a hospital TV talking about the evils of the world, you see this guy is making a statement about America. At the time this story takes place we as a country had to start locking our doors at night. We had to start keeping a closer eye on our children. Pedophiles and murderers were no longer anomalies but a cold hard fact of our society which was just then coming to light. This film uses a tender story of love between a small boy and an ageless woman as a backdrop to these grander themes.
The movie is slow and ominous. It’s made up of mood and atmosphere and wordless exchanges and horrible insinuations. There are sudden and brief explosions of violence and gore but they are all swift and fleeting. This isn’t a rock em’ sock em’ horror show. This is an introverted tale told with small details. Don’t expect to be shaken to the core with fear. It’s sad and lonely and heartbreaking. Even the denouncement is bittersweet. Like the film CRASH or even charlese therons MONSTER, it’s a tough one to shake, but you’ll be glad you took the trip.
I was not a big fan of let the right one. Despite it’s praise I found the film to be just a little dull. I had a hard time buying into the atmosphere and story line. So I wasn’t very excited to see the americanized remake “Let Me IN” because just as its predecessor it’s getting rave reviews. But I gave in after those hypnotic TV spots. Let’s just say I wasn’t disapointed in fact it fared slightly better than it’s predecessor but still really not my cup of tea (which is english breakfast btw).The film tells the tale of a young boy who befriends his new next door neighbor who just happens to be a vampire. A lot of other stuff entails but that mostly sums it up. It’s a pretty identical remake of the original with successful inclusion of some new plot focuses and a change up here and there (thank god they cut out that horrid cat scene). Here’s what the film gets right it’s absolutely beautiful. The cinematography is gorgeous with it’s muted atmosphere with explosions of violence highlighted by rigid colors. The performance from the young man is really solid and promising. I also loved how they expanded on the relationship between the young vampire and her older friend. Although it comes across a little creepy I’m glad they decided to go there. I also loved the costumes and set design. The film is set in 1983 and it really feels like that time period. And also the film just has really great moments mostly from small subtleties shared between the two main characters at a small playground in the middle of their snow covered complex. Now for the bad or I shall say mediocre aspects of the film. Being as I really couldn’t engage myself in the originals concept I had slightly better luck here but still wasn’t satisfied. I didn’t like that most of the violence ensued offscreen. It made for some pretty uneventful shocks. The direction from Cloverfield (crap) helmer Matt Reeves feels generic and forced. He wants to be a director who can capture deeper emotions and subtle themes but fails almost entirely instead making the film feel overlong and short at the same time. The progression between the character’s relationships seems rushed and dragged out. Also Abby’s character feels really underdevloped and could have used more time to really thrive and engage the audience. And mostly I just really hated the CGI attacks. In a film such as this I would have preferred stunt work and an over reliance on make up it would have made the proceedings feel more genuine and authentic. All that being said it’s definitely worth a look.I like the places the film has the guts to go to even though it doesn’t elaborate on them. A more successful film would have told the tale between the vampire and her older gentleman. And it is spellbinding and somewhat entertaining offering a nice quiet disturbing cinematic experience lacking the girth and melodrama of recent vampire forays but a solid if uneven effort nonetheless.
I loved Let the Right One In. It was dark and had a great atmosphere and was almost flawless. I am not at all opposed to remakes and I enjoy most of them. This was a very good remake. It stayed very close to the original film but it’s subtle changes were executed very well. I think Chloe Mortez played the character of Abby better then the actress in the original but I don’t like Kody Smitt McPhee so he kind of ruined the movie a bit for me. Also, the CGI Abby was pointless and looked very cheesy! Those sequences easily could have been done without CG. To sum it up, it’s a very good film but not quite as good as the original. It’s worth checking out for sure. Is it the absolute best? No, but it’s damn good.
This film was good stuff.. I have my complaints but overall it was a well done movie.. Im not sure why B-Disgusting gave this a 5/5 while its not a deserving of a 5/5 at all. Acting by everyone was very good, good musical score, some nice new additions in this film that weren’t in let the right one in..
When I saw Let the Right One In, it took a couple of viewings to fully get into it, though at this stage I can say I really enjoyed it.
I had high hopes for Let Me In, and at first was thinking the film started rather oddly. But then again, I realized LTROI also started off fairly mysteriously and didn’t really make sense until further along in the story.
Let Me In definitely picks up steam as it goes along, and just gets better and better. Though it looks very similar to LTROI, it feels as if two directors were given the script and then told to make their own interpretation using the same sets. And Matt Reeves’ version is just as good, if not better, than the original.
Each movie has its own stronger points than the other, but as a whole, they’re both great. Let Me In’s take on the two child stars was different than the original, but no less effective. In fact, Reeves’ version really transcends the cultural differences that existed in the original, and translated it well for an American audience.
And Chloe Moretz continues to show what an amazing actress she already is at a young age.
Good movie. Just as good as the original.
ok so go ahead and shoot me but I didn’t see the original! But as far as this one goes, it felt so original to be a remake or to be a vampire movie! Very good but in a totally different way!
Well , I actually got back from watching “Let Me In” The movie was great. the plus to it all I went to Regal theater Union Square in NYC . The usher advised the audience that the directorMatt Reeves will be coming in for Q&A session.
I loved every minute of this film. I recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of horror, cause this movie f’n nailed ever aspect.
In simpler terms…it rock Bawls off the shelves.
Talk about the way is should be. A Friday night with a good looking gal. A slight chill in the air while you wait in line. A fantastic movie to go with it. Let Me In brought me back to all that is good about horror movies in the fall. I am a fan of the original as well as the book. However I wish I could have watched it with virgin eyes. There are alot of vocal people who have been bashing this movie without ever seeing it, but that shouldn’t keep anyone from buying a ticket. I think the word of mouth on this one is going to snowball and we will end up with a runaway hit. Enough cannot be said about the cast, especially the young leads. Chloe Grace Moretz and Kody McPhee looked as if they were experiencing every emotion they were portraying. And for the first time in 12 years I wasn’t hoping Elias Koteas would break out in the chorus of “Time Is On My Side” the moment he stepped on screen. I am going to watch this one again. This is a horror movie that can be enjoyed by any adult movie goer, not just horror fans and fans of the source material.
To my surprise much of this film was untouched compared to the original and the changes maded weren’t that bad and didn’t depreciated the original at all to me. I already know what was going to be edited out of the film compared to the original and thought that it did in fact keep that dark melancholy tone the original had. Good Job on a remake that was NOT needed..lol.Still good film I’ll be buying this one on blu-ray to sit next to the original classic. Oh and points are taken off for the crappy CGI still a good film though.
Pretty generous review of the film I have to say, it was pretty good but not nearly as good as the first. Whereas the first one was subtle this one had to overexaggerate and hit you over the head. Can’t see how it is (basically) a shot for shot remake, beginning scene was different, no group of friends trying to figure out who killed their friend, etc. Still overall a decent remake, really shows the difference between hollywood filmmaking and everywhere else when you compare the two films.
Matt Reeves had an amazing direction. Bravo.
But this movie never tops the swedish one, to which I would give 5/5. It’s only a fucking copy. Nor the actors, nor the music or nor that kind of adaptation from the original scenario would have amaze me the way Let The Right One In did.
Just go rent that movie from Tomas Alfredson and enjoy.
I was wrong when i doubted this and Matt Reeves way back. It ended up being an awesome movie! Great acting and great direction. I definitely recommend going to see this.
Brilliant and Beautiful.
Great moody dark drama/thriller. It really is a heart wrenching and disturbing move. Great acting by all involved and great directing. Definitel;y go see it and definitely remember that this move would not be here if it was not for the excellent swedish original let the right one in
There are some things I like more about this one then I did the other (better explained and displayed the realtionship between the girl and the old man and I liked the ending deaths more) and then I felt that it lacked some of the heart the original contained. It was a great movie at some parts and lacked in others.
i loved it ! awesome remake
Perfect.
I really, REALLY, doubted Let Me In for the fact being that Let The Right One In is a masterpiece. But I was absolutely wrong in every way. It saddens me to say this but Let Me In, In my opinion, is better than Let The Right One In. The cinematography is astonishing. The acting is perfect. It was brutal at parts. The atmoshere was really creepy. The direction is flawless. Matt Reeves is proving himself to be a legit horror director. First with the nearly perfect Cloverfield a couple years back and now Let Me In, All In All, Let Me In is a superb horror movie that sets the standards for any vampire movie i’ve seen so far.
I just saw the film this afternoon and I have to say that I am not surprised the film did not connect with a mainstream audience. As I left the theatre I heard remarks such as “there wasnt enough gore” and “it was too long”. One patron believed that Abby and Owen were too young to have the relationship they had and it would have been more realistic if they were older. The fact that they are at a young age adds to their relationship. The two are supposed to be pure while the scars of their lives have corrupted them. That is the connection they share. There are only two critiques I have with the film. Owen’s killer tendencies were only mildly touched upon while I believe that could have been a huge part of the storyline. It seemed to have only been there to give Owen something to do while Abby had to stay out of the light. The CGI effects for Abby’s kills were poorly done but with only a 20 million dollar budget I suppose Hammer couldn’t fork over a decent CG program. I can’t really blame Matt Reeves for this though. So another great film goes unwatched and we all get to sit through another Paranormal Activity in another two weeks. HOORAY!!!
An Oscar-worthy film!
I’ve seen this film several times now; it led me to read the Swedish book and film(both of which were excellent); and I have to concur with the BD review. As odd as it may seem—especially on this website—I’m not the ultimate horror buff, but I think this film—with its acting, the cinematography, the creation of the early 80s ambiance(via Reagan, radio, music, clothing, etc), and the dynamic between the two main characters, make this the best film of the year—not only the best horror film—but best of any film. The boy’s plight and his concomitant entanglement with Abby, her drawing him into the web of death(and obviously—in a certain sense—affection) are best seen in the scenes where the cop gets done in by Abby with Owen watching and then closing the door(on more than just the cop….); and then Abby coming out after this and embracing him from behind followed with a bloody kiss—it was, for me at least, one creepy atmosphere. Of course, the next to last scene with her rescuing Owen and then being rewarded with his loyalty and a look on his face that approached adoration, he has surrendered—and can look forward to the same tragic and bloody life that the Richard Jenkins character “enjoyed”. It was a top-notch film in every respect! Catch it while you can in the cinema!
What an awesome movie! I love the way it can go from this sweet, innocent relationship between Abbey and Owen to Abbey as this brutal, scary, blood sucking vampire. I thought the story was great, the kills were awesome and I can’t wait to get it on DVD.
Dang near perfection!
Absolutely perfect remake. I think the original is significantly better executed. But this is by far the best remake I’ve seen, topping that of The Last House On The Last and The Hills Have Eyes. Terrific. Me giving this movie a perfect 5/5, and still saying the original is better is the reason there should be an off the scales button :p
Great movie though. Amazing remake.
Can’t say enough about the acting by the children either. Just wow.
loved this one but my heart is still with the original cause i just found it more powerful better shot and had more emotion behind it and the book is excellent as well but i had a better connection with Oscar and Eli more so than Abby and Owen so i say if Let Me in is still playing at a local cinema go see it you;ll be glad you did or rent or buy it on dvd when it comes out i now i will eventhough i have the original on dvd (and make sure if u decide too pick it up make it has the theatrical subtitles)i say the original in my opinion and this maybe a bold statement here but i say it has too be the best Vampire film i have ever seen and this one is the second 2 best folks
A good remake, obviously helped by the strength of the story. Though I think the Swedish version did it better. For example, the remake sacrificed realism for heightened dramatics. And the pacing is better in the original. Though it has the benefit of focusing on the two central characters, who both give good performances. Also, like the original, it is extremely well-shot. So, if you like Let the Right One In, I would check this out. It’s a slightly different take that works in some ways and others not so much.
Great remake! I want to read Let The Right One In now!
I wasn’t expecting too much to be honest, the way people were raving about it is the only reason I went to see it as I am a huge fan of the original. I was expecting a shot for shot remake but was pleasently surprised indeed!
Yes Let Me In does follow the same story as the original (ITS A REMAKE!( But it gives it a different interpretation and does some parts even better. I thought this was brilliant I loved it, every step of the way I was intentive and cared for each character. I especially enjoyed the car scene and thought that it was much scarier than the original. I emjoyed the bursting into flames scenes better as well, however I felt betrayed by the swimming pool scene, essentially copying that scene completely and not executing it any where near as good as the original did.
In the end Let Me In probably isn’t as good as the original because the kids seemed much more likable and sweeter but this is a damn good remake well worth checking out!
I’ve seen the original film on which this one is a remake of and I have to concur with Mr. King as I can understand the phrasing in this one and knowing how the movie is going to end doesn’t detract from me the intensity I get on each viewing.
Let Me In was easily the best flick of 2010, and it’s a real f’n drag when fans are handed an exemplary movie only to turn their noses up at it. But that’s okay, I’m sure we’ll get more Twilight style b.s. to teach us the err of our ways. Note to all those who skipped out on this one at the theaters: you wouldn’t know a REAL horror film if it bit you on the ass! Thanks for kicking us genuine fans right in the sack, you fools.
“Let Me In” was great but it just wasn’t as good as the original. So why do it! The scenes where she was all cgi took me out of the film. The original is way more well known to the American audience than you give credit. The reason people didn’t come out in droves to see it is not because they don’t care about supporting good horror. It’s because they just fucking saw the original and it was a masterpiece!
i saw this on opening night and it was AWESOME.
I can not wait to watch it again
Every bit as wonderful and atmospheric as the Swedish original. Occasionally there are spots of weak CGI, but this did not detract from this creepy and disturbing gem. Matt Reeves once again shows real skill and potential after the terrific Cloverfield and the performances from the young leads are truly remarkable. Stephen King’s favourite horror from the last ten years and for good reason. A terrific remake, with excellent new material, that deserves to be recognised.
This movie was craptastic, I saw it in theaters (so I’m still supporting the horror genre) but really!? The original is so much better, why can’t people handle the original is beyond me. Probably has something to do with the fact that we’re lazy and don’t want to read the subtitles. It was almost a carbon-copy of the original just in English. The original could have been dubbed in English if we’re smart enough to figure out how to use the audio settings feature of the main menu of the DVD. Damn, way to ruin a good thing.
I never cared much for the original so I went into seeing this not caring either way. I thought this movie improved a lot of the originals faults and made the story much more interesting. The actors I actually like much more in this one as well. I highly suggest this!
Oh Mr. Disgusting, shame on you.
Let Me In is ultimately an inferior “remake” of the Swedish original which manages to appear more or less to be the same movie, but takes some liberties that shift the tone much to the movie’s detriment.
The first thing that’s hard to escape is the movie’s new opening, juxtaposed with a scene midway through. What’s the purpose? It’s simple. American audiences “need” something to happen within the first ten minutes, so, we’re subjugated to an action opening with a bit of mystery thrown in (who is the man? What’s going on?).
To be honest, this version of the film needed the opening. I’m not sure how one goes about taking a languid-paced original movie and make an even SLOWER one. It becomes apparent that, by the time we get back to the juxtaposed opening scene later in the movie, the film is in need of a scene with some action in it.
The biggest change, however, occurs near the end which really takes away from the power of the original. It’s like watching the 1998 version of Psycho and seeing Vince Vaughn masturbate, knowing it’s something Norman Bates wouldn’t do. A “subtle” change such as that brings into question whether the filmmakers fully understood the context of their stories and the characters in them.
The change made in Let Me In’s climax is probably more criminal, as it removes some of the film’s power. Instead of having the main character succumb to the clever ruse of the bullies, he runs away and is dragged back kicking and screaming, the bullying taken to a new height.
How is this different than from the Swedish version?
In Let the Right One In, Oskar had to make a decision and attempt to do hold his breath for so long whereas Owen is simply bullied and has his head shoved under water.
Oskar’s is hi-lighted by a sense of naiveness and innocence which helps create even more sympathy for the character.
Owen’s is forced upon him and therefore we, as the audience, don’t get to see or feel the ultimate decision being weighed in here: is it worth carrying on if the one friend you’ve had is gone?
At this point, Oskar/Owen is under the assumption that Eli/Abby has gone away and not to be seen again. How crushing it should feel to carry on feeling a certain emptiness, knowing that the one person who (appeared) to understand you as a friend is gone.
In the Swedish version, there is no fight from Oskar – it’s as if he’s simply content with having his life over with.
In the end, what we ultimately have are two characters who need each other to survive. This isn’t anywhere near as apparent in the American version due to the not-so-subtle differences.
With all that said and done, it’s STILL a very good movie. As a writer, I prefer the Swedish version for the aforementioned reasons, but also because Oskar just appears that much more of a misfit than Owen does in the American version (let’s face it, Oskar isn’t going to win any beauty contests, whereas Owen looks too boyishly handsome – which has absolutely nothing to do with his fine performance, by the way).
The best horror film of 2010 ? A Masterpiece ? You have got to be fucking kidding. This is the most pointless exercise in a remake this side of Gus Van Sants Psycho. The only reason this film exists is for morons who avoid films because they don’t want to read subtitles. Virtually a shot for shot remake that guts the originals more interesting moments. Out goes the ambiguity of Abby/Eli’s relationship with Father, let’s do away with any confusion over Eli’s/Abby’s gender, (yep, she’s obviously a girl in this version)and in it’s place lets put more blood, vampire creature make up and some very, very dodgy CGI. The cast all do a fine job and there is nothing wrong with the direction but it’s just so pointless and dumbed down. Are western audiences really that afraid of Foreign movies. It’s easy to see why it tanked at the box office. Why would anyone want to pay money to see the exact same film that was only released a few years ago. A good remake is one that takes it’s source materials core concept and then creates it’s own story, not copy it scene for scene and water it down. There are some obvious changes such as Fathers MO, the beginning and a few other changes here and there but at the end of the day, again, there is no point to this movie. Fans of the far superior Let The Right One In would be best to steer clear of this version and stick to the original. Just goes to show Hollywood really will do anything for a buck. Shame on them,
I have never seen the original, I’ve always heard about it but never got around to seeing it. But this film is pretty good IMO. Its a very unique take on something we’ve seen ten billion times. I’m interested to see what else Matt Reeves works on next. Definitely warrants at least one viewing, not really an all out “Horror” film, its kind of a drama-thriller or something. But it works for me cause its still pretty bloody. I want to see the original now.
Rather slow paced, not really scary, but I did enjoy the story.
Nearly a carbon copy of the original. However, one of the best American remakes in recent memory. Emotively acted, beautiful cinematography and direction. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Let Me In does not have the rawness of the original but it still certainly affected me emotionally. I actually found it very touching.
For those who have never seen either, try watching this then “Let The Right One In” and post your feedback.
Great performances, great gore, overall a very nice remake. not much different from let the right one in. but is definitely darker in tone. all the more reason not to watch twilight. as much a horror as a romantic drama. mcphee and moretz are fast on their way to become child superstars. richard jenkins proves why he is a priceless commodity.
A great film is a great film, regardless of whether its a shot for shot remake or not – Matt Reeves and Kody Smit McPhee & Chloe Moretz deliver one of the most beautiful and delicate love stories of our time. It transcends the genre and is a modern example of a masterpiece. Its hard to understand why it didnt get nominated for Oscars and the like – perhaps because it got wrapped up in a debate of whether or not an instant overseas translation of someone else’s work counts as great filmmaking. Either way, its our win. I hate vampire movies. LET ME IN is the ultimate exception to the rule.
Absolutely brilliant. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Swedish original but this American remake takes what that film did and betters it in every single way.
Fantastic acting, direction, cinematography, music score and the 80′s setting and soundtrack are the icing on this horror cake.
As somebody who snobbishly prides themselves on watching and enjoying foreign films, with the subtitles, I tend to hate on general principal the steady stream of remakes that we find over here in the states. When Let the Right One In came out last year, I was bombarded by a steady stream of hype for how intense, awesome and ground-breaking of a movie it was.
I saw the movie when it made it to DVD, months after the hype had first started and found it to be an enjoyable enough movie. I remember reading about how some people felt that the Vampire was intentionally androgynous, perhaps not even a female at all. Story after story was about all the different layers present in the movie, etc. Still, for all the hype I found it to be a somewhat slow-moving film.
I am shocked to say that Let the Right One in is a better movie. Scratch that, Let Me In, is the movie that all the hyped up stories of the original described. Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass) was simply stunning here. Her ability to play a monster, exude sympathy and show such emotional range at such a young age was stunning. This is the type of performance I imagined when I read about Claudia in Interview With a Vampire.
Like the original, this story deals with a bullied, disturbed, twelve year old boy, who has a new girl move next door, one who ends up being a vampire. Such a simple premise really manages to carry a two hour movie. I appreciated how they cut out a lot of material related to the boy’s parents, mainly helping you to see how well and truly lonely he was.
The violence is more gripping and comes off on camera far better than the original movie as well. Obviously a better use of effects was found in the remake. Elias Koteas turned in yet another solid performance, as he is by this point the journeyman horror film actor.
Simply put, Let Me In joins the ranks of the best vampire movies ever made. It is filled with intense depth and will likely require multiple viewings. What surprises me is how folks will tune in to crap like Twilight, meanwhile a movie of this scope goes in and out of theaters with nary a rave review or bit of hype. Buy this movie and don’t look back.
Bravo!!! as good as the original in it’s own right- I love both versions
This is a great movie. I loved how creepy the little girl could be one second, then the next second she seemed so innocent. I definitely recommend this to everyone.
This is a good movie but by no means lives up to the original. There is just something better about the original, I can’t put my finger on it exactly. Some of the scenes from the original are not in the remake so it can’t be a shot for shot remake and there are some scenes that are in the remake that are not in the original. Basically same exact thing though with both films, as far as story goes. I guess it’s a matter of preference here. I will say that I didn’t care for the cgi in the remake, should have been done practical. If I would give the original Let the right one in four stars I can only give this one three. I already own Let the right one in on dvd so I guess buying Let me in would be pointless. I would suggest a rental to compare the two films and decide for yourself witch is the better version. Chloe and Kody in the remake did do a pretty good job though. They both have bright futures ahead of them. Worth a watch.
For a vampire movie, this one had a nice twist to it. I personally enjoyed how the this little girl understood and accepted what she is and she finally learned/understood that she could have a friend and found it inside herself that she could care for somebody being what she is. Very nice touch on finally having a vampire movie that’s about a strong (as in stregnth emotionally)vampire girl.
loved “Let Me In”……..Not as good as “Let The Right One In” I think the characters having a non-american look and speaking a different language somehow made it more believable for me. Liked them both a lot but the original is better IMO
After seeing Let The Right One In, I was left thinking that there was something missing, something lacking. And then I figured it out it needed more Vampire, more blood, more action and Let Me In did just that. LMI is everything LTROI should have been. What a great complement to the original.
This film was astoundingly, hauntingly beautiful… Horrific, tender, and devastating! May have altered my long-standing aversion to horror remakes…YES, it was THAT good! If you loved John Lindqvist’s novel, if you loved LtROI, do yourself a supreme favor and give Hammer Films and Matt Reeves’ version a shot!
Im sorry but I really didnt like this as much as the original. Its just the same movie but with more gore and it takes place in the states. Now its still a good movie but why watch this when the original is so much better. What makes me mad about this is that now people that havent seen the original will now never see it because of this remake that isnt even close as good. Ok America how about we stop stealing other countries ideas and then making them our own. Come up with your own movie damnit.
Yes this film is good, but the original is better…just b/c watching an original film is always better than it’s remake.
The remake has some wonderful camera work despite it’s almost exact story plot. I also liked the fact that she actually changed quite dramatically when turning into a vampire. Great casting as well for the remake.
The last scene in the pool I liked way more in the original, so sorry Matt Reeves. And also the bit with the cats in the original was excellent and sad that they left that out.
Yea…def liked the original better. But still worth a watch I guess, though they leave a few key scenes out.
More impressed with the young actors involved and the darker take of the vamp side than what was presented in the original. Less adult scenes/adult dialogue was also a plus. Dislike the CGI spots, though–just looked off or cartoony and detracts from what is actually happening. Same story, but did enjoy the remake more.
This Is My New Favorite Thing In The World!!! Its Like A Grimms Brothers Fairy Tale. A Unsetteling Hard R Rated Horror Drama With A Bodycount. It Is Anything But Your Tipical Vampire Movie. A Fine Little Story About Adolescent Codependene As Boy Meets Girl Or In This Case Vampire Girl Finds A New Minion In A Victimised Misfit. As The Towns People Discover Their New Apex Predator!
Spontainious Human Combustion Its Not Natural Its Super Natural!!!
“Are You A Satanist? Are You In Some Kind Of Cult? If Their Are Others Involved We Will Find Them Beleave Me.” – Opening Statement Of The Police Decectives Harsh Interigation Towards The Vampire Girls First Minion. A Fine Fellow I Like To Call Mr. E. A Man Who Has Devoted His Life To Killing Other Humans So That He Can Feed His Demon’s.
The original is one of a kind and a true gem. I’m glad they did not wreck the film in this remake. They changed just enough things and added enough things to make this film stand on it’s own, but it doesn’t have the emotional impact of the original, nor the subtle pacing most north americans consider boring or slow. They also chose the cast right which I was most afraid of. All in all, worth a viewing, but originals are original and remakes are remakes.
Aside from the bad cgi moments I loved this movie. I don’t know if it’s a better film than the original but I know I enjoyed it a lot more. Outstanding.
Usually, I don’t care for American remakes of foreign films. Let The Right One In was an astounding film, and upon hearing of this remake I thought it would just be another crappy, Americanized remake. How wrong was I. From the beautiful cinematography, to the great acting from the two children this movie is damn near perfect. It is almost a shot for shot remake, but there is just something different about it. Something makes this dark retelling of a tale so creepy and disturbing, that i absolutely loved it. Abby did a PHENOMENAL job as a vampire and her performance gives me shivers down my spine just thinking of it. Let the Right One In and this American counterpart are perhaps the two best vampire films i have ever seen.
Flawless. “Let Me In” is filled with some of the best dialog a horror movie has to offer. I couldn’t believe how much great acting was on display by such young actors. I wasn’t impressed with the original. But the remake, shot to near perfection, and was delivered much better in English (Probably because its my native language). The best thing about this film is, you don’t have to be a horror fan to enjoy it.
waste of time
Original is a little better, but this remake could have been better itself! Let Me In was real slooooow paced. I almost fell asleep at some point just because of how slow and quiet this movie is. One great thing the movie had going was the awesome cinematography. Alot of recent movies pale in comparison to the cinematography in this movie. Overall Let me In is nothing great. Just more on the line of boring
Same exact movie as the original – but a little better. I wish I saw this one first.
surprisingly better than the original. Great suspense and they didn’t overdue it on the gore but still had a lot of it. Definitely worth a watch.
wow… that’s all i can say about this movie. This was amazingly well done, all the actors did a superb job, and the story line couldnt of been any better. this is a must see. best movie i have seen in at least 10 years.
Good cinematography, good actors good musical score but that is to be expected from a Hollywood movie most of the times. Why I found it ultimately disappointing? First of all there was no need for a remake but let’s skip that. All the changes from the original (so as not to be labeled as a complete copy which it actually is) are making it worse. The flash forward of the beginning is useless and ridiculous. The CGI (which actually means every single time Abby vamps out) are “what were they thinking?” horrible and not in any way in the same mood of the rest of the movie. The relationship of the two children is not as well written as in the original. The Swedish was a slow movie, the remake is a boring movie pretending to be slow and “deep”. In the original Oscar was an anti social kid in the remake Owen is a psycho serial killer in the making (pleaseee). Finally the head bully in the remake has Justin Bieber hair in the ’80s!!!
A MASTERPIECE!!! Better than the Swed version by far! A must see!
An interesting and well-made but flawed and pointless remake/re-adaptation.
The first half is definitely as tense and atmospheric as “Let The Right One In”, plus 3 things that totally stand out: the brilliant opening, the killer’s shocking hiding-in-car killing method and the impressive car theft scene.
The second half is sadly a bit of a letdown, mainly because it’s often too tedious and overall way too similar to the original. Furthermore, I hate Abby’s lame-looking CGI-attacks and I also think that Chloe Moretz was just the wrong choice for playing the vampire girl.
Apart from that, it’s wonderfully directed and shot, the camera work is fabulous, the soundtrack is rousing, and Kodi Smit-McPhee’s performance is awesome. Nevertheless, I think “Let Me In” is a rather unnecessary film and I recommend everyone to stick with the original.
THE BEST MOVIE EVER! I know what I said, and Let Me In is my favorite film of all-time. It blows the Swedish version out of the way. Abby & Owen, 4 EVER!
It was a blast to see in theaters and the DVD is amazing. From the amazing cast to the incredible acting to the beautiful cinematography to the amazing soundtrack, to me it’s a perfect film. Check it out and watch the Swedish version, Let The Right one In as well. 
one of the best remakes ive ever seen but the original was far better
The swimming pool scene was way better in the original otherwise it was a pretty good remake. Anyway not as good as the original but still a good movie
I watched the original film and the “remake” back-to-back. I consider the present film as more a “re-imagining” of the novel than a remake of the Swedish film.
“Let Me In” is one of the BEST vampire movies in forever. My highest recommendation…you need to see it.
I believe I reviewed “Let the Right One In” (Swedish) before, but let me say it fails in it’s execution. The kids are from some kind of time-warp, like they came from 1970′s Italy. The bully has this super fey voice that renders the movie laughable. The lead kid, I can’t remember his name Oskar or some shit, is a ‘tard. The only part I like about the Swed version is that it addresses, in a small way, the vampire’s castration (we’re talking balls AND dick).
“Let Me In” is a thousand times better! WAAAAY more physical. The CGI effects are absolutely SEAMLESS! F/X is brutal. Characterizations are spot on. Brilliant acting from Chloe Moretz (Hitgirl from the Kick-Ass movie). Miss Moretz is a very physical actress and awe-inspiring when you consider that she is still a child. I can’t imagine a more perfect casting decision to put Moretz in this role. Now THIS “Let Me In” is stunning in it’s execution. Nuff said
Let me in is definetly a good remake. I foyu havent seen the original, you’ll love it. The aacting is top notch along with cinematography and score. However, the original is my 2nd fav. film of all time. I connected with the characters in that film first, so I was unable to connect with a “re-imagining” of the same characters. I also beleive its a beter film in general. This remake is a very well made film on it’s own which I recommend people see, but all MY credit goes to the original.
at the risk of abuse i’ve got to attack this one. this film is simply one more attempt to cash in on yet another triumph of foreign cinema. why oh why must we remake something just so those without the ability to read subtitles can see what those of us with a broader taste have already enjoyed.
come on guys, give europe the respect it deserves and watch a movie like ‘rec’ and its sequel before watching the damn remake which generally fail to capture many decent key factors of the originals.
Don’t believe the hype!
America really needs to stop remaking foreign films because everything they touch turns to shit.
Can really only recommend this movie if you haven’t seen the other movie that was based on the same novel. No matter how open of a mind you have about this one, you’ll find yourself comparing it too regularly to the other version, and I really think the enjoyment lies in whichever one you may have seen first. Can’t say this was a bad movie, either, as the children were quite good actors, as well as Matt Reeves attempting some interesting visuals. More details here:
http://thewolfmancometh.com/2011/05/08/let-me-in-2010/
Little more can be said about the movie that hasn’t been mentioned in the other reviews, but suffice to say, it’s been a while since I’ve seen a vampire movie that follows the traditional rules without seeming ridiculous doing it. Worth the watch.
Someone tell me the point of doing a “SHOT FOR SHOT REMAKE”! There was absolutely nothing wrong with “Let the Right One In”. Also, the CG in this is kind of unbelievable. When the kid freaks out in the tunnel it looks like Golum trying to eat off Frodo’s ring.
if the Swedish movie touched perfection,then that movie is one step below
that’s why because the Swedish film emphasized more to the relationship of the children than to the killing,which i think it was the point of the movie,to show the relationship between a lonely kid and a vampire kid,who except from blood needed love
otherwise it’s mostly like the original with some other few differences
for example the American version was more violent and had more blood and the kids were more likable
but the most important thing is that the scriptwriters didn’t change the plot,because if they did,then the movie would be a lot worse,especially to those who have seen the original film,because when a good movie is remade and the plot is changed,then it’s usually worse(with only exception the remake of Halloween,where the different plot was the only advantage of that movie)
even though the original is much better this was still fun to watch. the kids played their parts well. i didn’t like the CG at all. just looked terrible.
Very good film. There are thigns about this movie I prefer over the original (Let The Right One In) but overall the original is better. This new version left out one of the best scenes of the original (the cat attack) and that really p*ssed me off.
THE BEST MOVIE EVER!
A brilliant ‘remake’ that meets the original’s perfection. I’m currently reading the novel which obviously has a whole lot more stuff going on than the movie but after seeing it on screen, it’s amazing how well the actors captured their characters and the story that’s being told.
Wonderful movie; defintely worth adding to your collection.
Ok… so as far as remakes go, this is one of the better ones out there.
However, the relationship / bond between the 2 kids (well, one isn’t really a kid) doesn’t feel as genuine or meaningful as it did in the original.
Also, they left out one of the better scenes of the original (cat attack!)
I enjoyed this though and it has earned a place in my collection next to the original.
Hobo Approved(TM)
***May contain spoilers*** The remake falls short of the original for two reasons: (1) the American setting is not as bleak and creepy and as the European original. The original’s setting makes you feel cold, isolated and hopeless (2) The relationship between the vampire and the enabler (old man) changed. The original alludes that the old man may be some twisted soul or pedophile that the child uses as a pawn for her blood lust. This portrayal is much more chilling. The remake gives you the sense that there is a kinship between the two. Perhaps they were friends as children many years ago since the vampire does not age. I would stick with “Let the Right One In”.
I have no fear to say it, this is one of the best movie I’ve seen in my life, I think this movie is even better than the original.
It is magnificent, poetic and beautiful. Great soundtrack and excellent work of the actors. Everything in this movie is perfect. I love this movie.
A pretty solid remake, Although the original film beats the shit of this.
Fixed what was wrong with the dreadful original. I loved the characters in this film. In the original I wanted to punch them in the face. Horrible little actors, especially Oskar. Again, remake surpassed the original but original gets some credit for being the original one. Thats all though. Thankfully, no laughable “cat-scene” in the remake.
Upon my second viewing I can safely say it has surpassed Let The Right One In for me.
very boring
A very bad movie, can’t hold a candle to the original Swedish movie. It’s badly cast, the leads sleepwalk through their roles, mumbling all their lines, heads bowed. It ultimately comes across as a very superficial, empty movie. And the soundtrack adds insult to injury, it’s godawful.
I read the book first, then watched the Swedish film, then watched this one. This is the opposite order to do them in, as comparisons are hard not to do. I will have to start off by saying that this didn’t reach the excellence of Let the Right One In, but by no means does that mean that I disliked it. I did like this film, and would go so far as to say I loved it.
The atmosphere was just right, set by the cinematography and editing. The sets were beautifully done, and just how i’d imagine them to be. All the actors/actresses were well cast, and I found them to be believable, but special mention must go to the leads. They were so very good. The source material has a lot of adult and controversial themes, and although this leaves out several plot points, it handles the rest superbly.
If you’re going to watch this, but you’ve read the book and/or seen Let the Right One In, try not to judge it against those, as you may come away slightly disappointed. As a standalone piece it excels and never disappoints, but stood against its predecessors, it loses a few points. Watch this film, but be forgiving.
I have seen this and the original on many top 5 or 10 horror movie lists lately and honestly I’m really trying to see why. I enjoyed the film, however, it is not scary, horrific or frightening at all. it is a great piece of atmospheric storytelling, with subtle brilliance from the young actors. (elias koteas was a complete waste in his role in my opinion). I see this as a drama, with a few gruesome moments. with all of the praise this as well as the original has received, I simply think it was over hyped and my expectations were way too high. good film but wouldn’t even crack my top 50 horror movies of all time much less my top 10.
Loved this great re-make! More of a love story between 2 early teens than anything else, but wonderful none the less. I found the film equal to the original, with enough of its own unique qualities to make it its own film.
This film, to me, was ok. I couldn’t help but think of the Swedish version every single scene. What captured me and made me fall in love with the original was completely lost in the remake making it very hard for me to fully enjoy it.
I didn’t like oskars mother or himself for that matter. I felt that the american version of him lacked his killer instinct that was shown in the original, making him less strange and just more of a victim without reason. He never was interested in killings and whatnot like the original which didn’t give us alot of depth.
I wouldn’t watch it again if i could. But dont take my word for it, this is just me stating my opinion. I loved the original more, the cinematography the writing the score were way better in the original. If you have a chance to see either the remake of the Swedish version definetly watch the Swedish version.
I thought the original was a snooze fest and this did nothing to keep me awake either. BORING!
very boring and slow just like the original movie, I do not get why everyone seems to like this movie, horrible horror movie
Makes the Twilight series look like nursery school level entertainment. May be too slow and intellectual for that crowd, plus there are no “beautiful people” to drool over…bluhhhhhh! This is one of the best vampire movies of recent memory.
Nearly flawless..
For more review please visit http://www.RockportFilm.com
This is the American remake of the Swedish film âeoeLet the Right One Inâe which I reviewed about a year ago. “Let the Right One In” Review The original film also made my list of the top movies of the last decade. There was great debate as to whether a remake would tarnish the nearly flawless original, because todayâe(TM)s movies are all about remakes and sequels, with the most original content coming from overseas. Both movies are based on the book âeoeLet Me Inâe from Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist.
The giant task of remaking this film fell on the shoulders of Matt Reeves of âeoeCloverfieldâe fame. Having seen so many horrible and lifeless horror remakes in the past few years, I had obvious doubts about this one. Although the cast was absolutely top notch I still had some strong reservations. I did see it in theatres last September and a few more times on the just released DVD. I can honestly say without hesitation that this is a quality and well thought out remake. Major props go out to the fantastic acting jobs from the whole cast. Chloe Moretz from âeoeKick-Assâe plays Abby the mysterious new girl. Kodi Smit-McPhee, who was previously in âeoeThe Roadâe with Viggo Mortenson, plays the tormented Owen. Richard Jenkins is brilliant as Abbyâe(TM)s âeoeFatherâe . Finally Elias Koteas, plays the police officer investigating a string of brutal murders in the Los Alamos, New Mexico community.
Like the original this story takes place in the early 1980âe(TM)s. The main characters of Oskar and Eli are now Owen and Abbey. The story and themes of the original still hold true in this one. Owen is twelve years old and is unmercifully teased and bullied at school. He is extremely lonely and dreams of one day getting his revenge. His parents are getting a divorce and he is often ignored. When Abbey moves in next door, Owen is immediately curious. They meet on a number of occasions in the apartment complexes jungle gym and develop rather sweet friendship. The book and the movies have always been about the relationship between these two. Even though they are so young, they are both extremely lonely and yearn for companionship. It also happens that Abbey is a vampire and needs blood to live. Itâe(TM)s a very strong coming of age drama with a few creative twists.
Owen is never turned off to the fact that Abbey is so different and the claims that âeoeshe is not a girlâe . He accepts her for who or what she is. With Abbyâe(TM)s help and Owens new found self confidence he is able to take back his life and stand up to the bullies in his life. The DVD and Blu Ray releases include a commentary track from Matt Reeves and a few other special features. This is a no doubt buy it, especially if youâe(TM)re a fan of the book or the original film.
The critical and universal acclaim for this movie is impeccably high, yet I agree with about 3/4 of it. The acting/story are in the right place, but the direction just didn’t resonate with me like it did with most audiences, however, you could spend your 2 or so hours in worse ways. The ending leaves something to be desired though.
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The Ultimate Movie Review! – http://tss5078.blogspot.com – @tss5078 – I hate vampire movies and the whole concept of vampires in general, but I had to see this movie based on the strong buzz it was getting. Based on an award winning Swedish film, Let Me In, tells the story of a lonely 12 yrs old kid who is befriended by a vampire, who moves in next door. Chloe Moretz was amazing as Abby, following her role in Kick-Ass, this girl is definitely going places. I didn’t like Abby much thou. I found her very manipulative, not to mention how creepy it is that an ageless vampire, who looks like a little girl, is hooking up with a 12 yrs old kid. While the critics loved this film, I saw it as a dark, slower, more gory version of Twilight, except with younger kids. To be honest with you, the whole thing kind of just weirded me out.