[8] 

An austere Swedish import that is both a touching coming-of-age story and a disturbing horror film. Let the Right One In centers around twelve-year-old Oskar, a bullied boy who befriends a strange new girl whose arrival into the community just so happens to coincide with many strange disappearances. Oskar falls in love with the girl, all while fearing her tyrannical father — not realizing that perhaps the father has good reason to rule with an iron fist, and that the girl may not even be human.

The relationship is built delicately and resolves poignantly, bolstered by strong performances from the two leading child actors (Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson). While it’s not a gorefest, the movie definitely has its visceral moments, including a beautifully choreographed climax. The cinematography is stark and exquisitely composed. The emotional restraint in the screenplay and performances makes the slightest gestures and the simplest of smiles more moving than any dialogue. Directed by Tomas Alfredson.