Let Me In

Matt Reeves' Let Me In is a dark and melancholy coming of age story filled with isolation, anger, violence, and despair. And that's before the vampire moves in next door to the film's young hero! Don't get the wrong idea. While it is often very bleak, it is not depressing. And the presence of the vampire (in the form of a young girl who befriends the hero) does not send the honesty of the material flying off the rails into the realm of total implausibility. This is an atmospheric and haunting look at adolescence. It's also one of the year's great films.

Many are probably aware that the film is a remake of the 2008 Swedish thriller, Let the Right One In, which itself was based on a novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist. The original film was not exactly a financial success in the US, but it gathered such a strong and devoted cult following that, when a Hollywood remake was announced, the Internet lit up with angry words of protest. Those fans will be happy to know that Reeves (who also wrote the US adaptation) has kept things mainly as they were before. Yes, there are some changes, but I don't expect much complaining. None of the intelligence or emotion has been sacrificed for the remake. And despite the scenic change (from Sweden to Los Alamos, New Mexico), the film still retains its bleak and isolated tone that serves up the perfect atmosphere.

Its young hero is Owen (Kodi Smit-Mcphee), an emotionally and physically scarred 12-year-old who seems to be shaped by his harsh environment. His parents are currently going through a messy divorce, and his emotionally distant mother (Cara Buono) and father (whom we never see) are forcing him to deal with the fact that the family he once knew will not exist ever again. Meanwhile, the bullies at school who frequently torment and abuse him are stirring violent revenge fantasies in his head. In a particularly powerful, but disturbing scene, we see Owen standing in front of his bedroom mirror with a knife, acting out his revenge. When a girl around Owen's age named Abby (Chloe Moretz) moves in next door, she seems to come from a similar family life initially. She seems to have one parent, in her case a father figure (Richard Jenkins), and her outlook on the world seems to be much more worldly and wise than one would expect from a girl her age.

This is perhaps what intrigues Owen, despite Abby's strict warning the first time they meet that they can never be friends, for reasons she does not reveal. There are other aspects about her that interest and confuse Owen. He notices that Abby is often barefoot outside, even though it's the dead of winter. And when he asks how old she is, she gives him the curious answer of "twelve - more or less". We learn, long before Owen does, that Abby is a vampire, traveling to various towns, feeding on the locals with the help of the man who acts as her father. They try to make the deaths look like the work of a serial killer, but a local police detective (Elias Koteas) picks up their trail fairly quickly. This is when Let Me In becomes a fascinating character study, as Owen, who slowly pieces together the truth about his new friend, finds himself horrified and yet compelled to help at the same time.

Unlike the romanticized vampires in the Twilight films, Abby is a dangerous creature driven by her need to feed on blood. And yet, she is also compassionate and loyal to those she takes a liking to. The relationship at the center of the film is a dangerous one. We know that she could turn on Owen at any second should she become desperate enough, but we are compelled and perhaps fascinated with her, just like the film's hero. The film is great at building suspense, but even better at building a false sense of security, so that when bad things do happen, we are taken by surprise. The relationship that builds between Owen and Abby is also a dangerous one. It's one that's built almost entirely on Abby's need for someone to control, and Owen's need to have a strong presence in his life.

This is heightened by the performances of the two young actors, who not only create chemistry together, but individual characters who are unforgettable. Kodi Smit-McPhee is vulnerable and needy as Owen, but we also get a great sense of curiosity and strength, which is what draws him to Abby. Meanwhile, many felt that Chloe Moretz had her breakout role in Kick-Ass earlier this year, but as wonderful as she was there, her performance here is truly outstanding. It's a difficult balance that she has to maintain, being sympathetic and supportive, while also being a dark and commanding presence when need be. Her performance here rivals many adult roles I've seen. It's truly something to see, and she is definitely an actress I have great hope for.

If there is any fault to be found here, it's a minor one. The special effects don't always work, but fortunately, it's not a story that is reliant on effects. Let Me In is a chilling story, made even more so when we realize where the characters are going to end up down the line. It's the kind of film that will definitely spark serious discussion when it's done. Those same discussions may even lead to repeat viewings, to pick up on little things you may have missed. I, for one, look forward to many repeat viewings.

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