Let the Right One In (2008)
“Låt den rätte komma in”
Crime, Drama, Fantasy |
Let the Right One In is a Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson, based on the 2004 novel of the same title by John Ajvide Lindqvist, who also wrote the screenplay. The film tells the story of a bullied 12-year-old boy who develops a friendship with a vampire child in Blackeberg, a suburb of Stockholm, in the early 1980s.
Alfredson, unconcerned with the horror and vampire conventions, decided to tone down many elements of the novel and focus primarily on the relationship between the two main characters and explore the darker side of humanity. Selecting the lead actors involved a year-long process with open castings held all over Sweden. In the end, the 11-year-olds Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson were chosen for the leading roles. They were subsequently commended by both Alfredson and film reviewers for their performances.
Oskar, a meek 12-year-old boy, resides with his mother Yvonne in the western Stockholm suburb of Blackeberg in 1981. His classmates regularly bully him, and he spends his evenings imagining revenge, collecting clippings from newspapers and magazines about murders. One night he meets Eli, who appears to be a pale girl of his age. Eli has recently moved into the next-door apartment with an older man, Håkan. Eli initially informs Oskar that they cannot be friends. Over time, however, the two begin to form a relationship, and exchange Morse code messages through their adjoining wall. Eli learns that Oskar is being bullied by schoolmates and encourages him to stand up for himself. Oskar enrolls in weight-training classes after school.
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Writers: John Ajvide Lindqvist (screenplay & novel)
Stars: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl, Karin Bergquist, Peter Carlberg, Ika Nord
►Cast:
| Kåre Hedebrant | … | Oskar |
| Lina Leandersson | … | Eli |
| Per Ragnar | … | Håkan |
| Henrik Dahl | … | Erik |
| Karin Bergquist | … | Yvonne |
| Peter Carlberg | … | Lacke |
| Ika Nord | … | Virginia |
| Mikael Rahm | … | Jocke |
| Karl-Robert Lindgren | … | Gösta |
| Anders T. Peedu | … | Morgan |
| Pale Olofsson | … | Larry |
| Cayetano Ruiz | … | Magister Avila |
| Patrik Rydmark | … | Conny |
| Johan Sömnes | … | Andreas |
| Mikael Erhardsson | … | Martin |
| Rasmus Luthander | … | Jimmy |
| Sören Källstigen | … | Janne – Eriks kompis |
| Malin Cederblad | … | Sjukhusreceptionist (as Malin Cederbladh) |
| Berndt Östman | … | Virginias sjuksköterska (as Bernt Östman) |
| Kajsa Linderholm | … | Lärarinnan |
| Adam Stone | … | Polis i klassen |
| Ingemar Raukola | … | Vaktmästaren |
| Kent Rishaug | … | Kioskägaren |
| Linus Hanner | … | Pojke som dödas |
| Tom Ljungman | … | Ung man 1 |
| Fredrik Ramel | … | Ung man 2 |
| Christoffer Bohlin | … | Matte – upphängd pojke |
| Julia Nilsson | … | Tonårstjej 1 |
| Elin Almén | … | Tonårstjej 2 |
| Bengt Bylund | … | Nyhetsuppläsare radio (voice) |
| Bengt Lindström | … | Väderleksrapport radio (voice) |
| Susanne Ruben | … | Eli åldrad |
| Elif Ceylan | … | Elis röst (voice) |
| Libby Brien | … | Virginia / Teacher (voice) |
| Robin De Lano | … | Eli |
| Philip Hersh | … | Additional Voices |
| Jonas Kruse | … | Polis på sjukhus |
| Lena Nilsson | … | Håkans sjuksköterska |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia