Film Club Volume one: Let the right one in. ( Spoilers)

[dread pirate davos]

Welcome to film club, this is the first of what will hopefully be a long running thread series dedicated to the discussion of movies.First off I'd like to thank every one for their patience, I know this wasn't the cleanest of starts but hopefully the worst is behind us. Don't worry too much if you want to join in but haven't watched along, this thread will stay open and you can catch up at your own pace. If you'd like to contribute any feedback and suggestions to how film club is ran and/ or what we should watch just click here http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/118731-film-club/

Now down to business, this weeks film is Let the Right one in a 2008 Swedish horror drama that follows a young boy called Oskar as he develops a friendship with a vampire child Eli.

SPOILERS START HERE

[dread pirate davos]

First off I'd just like to thank those that suggested this film, I really enjoyed it and doubt I would've saw it otherwise. I'm a bit tired to I'll be brief with my opening statements. One of which is that It's so refreshing to see a vampire that isn't sexy with Twilight, True Blood and the vampire diaries around. I liked how this film managed to make Eli very human and relate able without making her sanitized and impotent as a vampire, she's still dangerous and a killer but sympathetic, which is what I personally feel like the problem with the above vampire media is.

And I've just realized that I've referred to Eli as a she which I shouldn't have but that's a whole other kettle of fish I'll let some one else jump into.

Another thing is and this may be completely wrong but I thought these child actors were really good, which I usually don't. but then again I find it hard to judge a foreign films acting due to the language barrier.

In closing I'd just say that I'm not sure I would consider this a horror, I mean we all know it wouldn't be a slasher flick but I dunno, sure it was creepy and tense sometimes and it even had the monster. what I'm saying in my typical blathering style is that i get that it ticks a lot of the horror boxes but to me it felt much more like a drama or thriller even a romance to some degree. In that It wasn't the killing or the monsters that kept me watching it was the relationship between these two young(ish) people.

Sorry I do have more to say, but its been a long day, I look forward to jumping into the deeper discussion tomorrow after a good nights sleep.

[Lord Bowie]

In closing I'd just say that I'm not sure I would consider this a horror, I mean we all know it wouldn't be a slasher flick but I dunno, sure it was creepy and tense sometimes and it even had the monster. what I'm saying in my typical blathering style is that i get that it ticks a lot of the horror boxes but to me it felt much more like a drama or thriller even a romance to some degree. In that It wasn't the killing or the monsters that kept me watching it was the relationship between these two young(ish) people.

It's been a very long time that I watched, but I still remember the film with some very clearly and powerful images. Although I forgot that it was due tonight and I didn't rewatch it, I think I can still discuss such an amazing horror film.

For starters, for me it's not only a horror film, but a very effective one. Horror as it should be, with the creepiness and ugliness of monsters inside us and around us. The evil that we welcome at our doors and the evil that we run away from. But I do understand when you said that Let the Right One In might have some confusions as in what genre it belongs to. But all the drama, thriller and romance that you mentioned, for me personally, has a horrific nature in them.

But what stood the most for me as I was watching was how everyone involved in the film (specially the two young actors) succeeded in selling to us a coming-of-age story with such emocional realism in a magical and often grim universe. The changes that the boy is going through (both physical and psychological) is the horror that is puberty. All the confusion and his inner demons and how everything seems like is going to explode create a felling of suspense and uneasiness until the credits roll. I loved it, I'm definetly going to watch again and I remember how I felt when I watched so many years ago - That I saw something really special and different and original that became much, MUCH more than it could be in the wrong hands.

Everything is the way it's suppose to be, from the cinematography (gotta love the swimming pool scene) to the direction, from the story to the actors. Everything hits its mark.

[Teng Ai Hui]

I too very much enjoyed this movie (Davos and Bowie have already explained why better than I could.). However, I was confused by it at times. First, I saw on the internet that LtROi was on several "top 10 horror movies from the last 10 years" lists, but calling this a horror movie is like calling Fevre Dream a horror novel. Second, the scene proving that Eli is an it and not a she was wrong on many level.

[peterbound]

I too very much enjoyed this movie (Davos and Bowie have already explained why better than I could.). However, I was confused by it at times. First, I saw on the internet that LtROi was on several "top 10 horror movies from the last 10 years" lists, but calling this a horror movie is like calling Fevre Dream a horror novel. Second, the scene proving that Eli is an it and not a she was wrong on many level.

I'm pretty comfortable calling it a horror film. The setting, characters, and theme are all unnerving, and at times, terrifying. Just because it doesn't involved a creepy puppet and torture porn, doesn't mean it's not 'horror'.

Films like The Shining, Psycho, Rosemary's Baby, Wicker Man, Blair Witch, and The Omen all rely on the same 'creepy' structure, but not a whole lot of overt blood letting. Still Horror, and some of the best made.

And ya, Fevre Dream is a horror novel, and I'm pretty sure the author would agree.

[dread pirate davos]

I'm pretty comfortable calling it a horror film. The setting, characters, and theme are all unnerving, and at times, terrifying. Just because it doesn't involved a creepy puppet and torture porn, doesn't mean it's not 'horror'.

Films like The Shining, Psycho, Rosemary's Baby, Wicker Man, Blair Witch, and The Omen all rely on the same 'creepy' structure, but not a whole lot of overt blood letting. Still Horror, and some of the best made.

And ya, Fevere Dream is a horror novel, and I'm pretty sure the author would agree.

Yeah you're right, I think I should've phrased myself better. What I should have said is that it's much more than a horror and that it feels like it's just as much a drama and a romance, at least it felt that way to me. I can't speak for fevre dream, I don't think I've even heard of it. It's interesting that you mention the wicker man, the original film unnerved me like no over film ever has or will. I didn't find it particularly frightening while watching but it had a lasting effect. It's also a film that I feel tricks you into thinking it's a thriller then bam, the last twenty minutes or so is pure horror. Sorry for that off topic rant but the wicker man is my favourite horror bar maybe alien.

[peterbound]

Yeah you're right, I think I should've phrased myself better. What I should have said is that it's much more than a horror and that it feels like it's just as much a drama and a romance, at least it felt that way to me. I can't speak for fevre dream, I don't think I've even heard of it. It's interesting that you mention the wicker man, the original film unnerved me like no over film ever has or will. I didn't find it particularly frightening while watching but it had a lasting effect. It's also a film that I feel tricks you into thinking it's a thriller then bam, the last twenty minutes or so is pure horror. Sorry for that off topic rant but the wicker man is my favourite horror bar maybe alien.

Stop what you are doing and go read fevre dream. Right now.

Geezus, how the hell are you on this board without having read that?

[felice]

And I've just realized that I've referred to Eli as a she which I shouldn't have but that's a whole other kettle of fish I'll let some one else jump into.

The film was perhaps a bit too subtle on that point. There are multiple ways to take "I'm not a girl" - Eli is much too old and not human enough to be a girl, in addition to not being female - and the brief glimpse of the scar doesn't give you much time to realise what you're seeing.

Another thing is and this may be completely wrong but I thought these child actors were really good, which I usually don't. but then again I find it hard to judge a foreign films acting due to the language barrier.

No, I don't think it's just the language; they are very talented kids.

In closing I'd just say that I'm not sure I would consider this a horror,

In that It wasn't the killing or the monsters that kept me watching it was the relationship between these two young(ish) people.

Yes, horror is definitely a major element, but I'd agree it's not the defining quality of the film. There's a matter-of-factness to the film that seems decidedly unhorrific to me; Eli needs to kill to survive, and the film certainly doesn't shy away from that, but in some ways it's almost more like a nature documentary than a film trying to scare us.

[JonArryn]

Doesn't seem like many have watched it yet. I haven't been able to yet, I've been watching a lot of The Shield lately, and on saturday I have a big test coming up so I won't be able to see it until sunday/monday I think. But after that, I'll definitely come back here to give some thoughts.

Maybe next week we can decide a new movie if the interest is still there too.

edit: the movie is also from my native country so maybe i can give another view on the talent of the actors, since there's no language barrier for me.

[Davrum]

I normally avoid vampire movies these days but this is something special. I can't say I fell fully in love with it but I was riveted throughout and very impressed by the ideas and the technique on the display. And that swimming pool scene really is something special.

[Theda Baratheon]

I really, really enjoyed this movie. The bullying was particularly haunting and how it can escalate and how as a bullied child at times I really did want the people have relentlessly bullied me to just stop existing.

i liked the vampire mythos in the film; what happened when a vampire isn't welcomed into the house formally, the weird dog like noises which created an animalistic vampire that is a creature that lives off blood and needs to kill to survive, not a 'sexy' vampire, in fact there really wasn't anything sexual at all about the drinking of the blood in comparison to some vampire stories. I also thought the stomach growling was a really nice touch and combined with eli being a child you really can't help but sympathise even though they're also a monster.

I really liked the romance as well, as horrific and sad as it was - it also seems very true that a lonely boy would befriend and continue to love a lonely vampire child.

I haven't read the book but I think I definitely should.

I thought the actress playing Eli was fantastic. Actually, both child actors were great.

Definitely a horror. People get too hung up on slasher movies equaling horror but PB upthread mentioned some cracking classic horror that are all influential on the genre and are NOT slasher films.

[Theda Baratheon]

I too very much enjoyed this movie (Davos and Bowie have already explained why better than I could.). However, I was confused by it at times. First, I saw on the internet that LtROi was on several "top 10 horror movies from the last 10 years" lists, but calling this a horror movie is like calling Fevre Dream a horror novel. Second, the scene proving that Eli is an it and not a she was wrong on many level.

I understand the confusion over gender and I'd like to read the book to better understand Eli's gender identity myself, but can you not refer to someone as an 'it' please. Maybe a fictional character , but still distasteful nonetheless.

[Davrum]

I understand the confusion over gender and I'd like to read the book to better understand Eli's gender identity myself, but can you not refer to someone as an 'it' please. Maybe a fictional character , but still distasteful nonetheless.

:agree: It takes a little getting used to but it's often better just to use names rather than pronouns. At least that's what a trans person I know says.

[Francis Buck]

I just happened to watch this (not for the first time) last night again, so I'll join in. I'd like to be a part of the film club in general as well, I need to watch more good stuff.

I really love this movie. I first watched it because I was a writing a pseudo-vampire novella and wanted to absorb as much non-crappy content from the genre as possible. This movie does a lot of things really well. The child-acting is phenomenal for both leads, and there were a lot of cool details in the approach, for example the way scenes with Oskar's parents are shot as to make them seem side-lined and not a huge part of his life really worked well. The stuff with Eli's actual gender confused me a bit the first time, but I read some things afterwards that clarified it and it really made the movie more interesting going in the second time through. I also thought the ending was CRAZY and really has an unexpected punch to it. Again, the way it was filmed was awesome and contributed a lot to the impact.

One thing I'm curious about: there's a part somewhat earlier in the movie, when the two kids are outside talking and then Oskar goes inside and Eli gets "hungry", the shot cuts and then shows his/her face up-close and the actress looks...different, somehow. I don't know exactly how to explain it but I don't think it's just in my head. I'd noticed it the first time I saw the movie but I thought it was just my imagination, but there's definitely something going on there, it almost didn't even look like the same person? I meant to rewind it for a better look but I just got caught up watching the following scene. Anyone know what this was about?

As to thoughts regarding genre, I'd definitely consider this a horror. As people mentioned up thread, it's unfortunate that for a lot of people these days a movie has to have a ton of gore or overt jump-scares in order to be considered horror. The reality is that a lot of the best horror films ever (many of which defined the genre) all rely on a more subtle, creeping terror as opposed to in-your-face violence or shocking shit.

[JonArryn]

So I've finally seen it. A bit crappy of me to be so late to the party, but I've been a bit busy. Next time the film club is on I'll see the movie in question the same day.

So, I saw it yesterday and I really liked it. Let The Right One In is from my country and it's not that often that we get such good movies made. I said I was gonna say what I thought about the young actors since I didn't have a language barrier and I agree, they were great.

The movie I would say that I really liked, but I probably didn't love it. It was more arthouse inspired than I thought and that was a plus I guess. It was damn beautiful for starters. The photo was excellent as was the brooding nature of the film. It's definitely one of the better vampie movies I've seen, with great messages and themes embedded. The whole view of how they're both outcasts and kind of shunned by the world and therefore they find each other is great writing.

As was the scenes with Eli's serial killer "dad". I thoguht they were great, and showed his carelessness and that he was doing it more because he felt forced to do it and maybe not because he liked it.

Ending was absolutely great too, and very mellow, but it worked.

I think the movie could have used some more dialogue in between some scenes maybe, it was very sparse on that front. Everything works together pretty good in this movie, but I wouldn't say there was anything that made me go, "wow that's brilliant" either. So even though it's a damn good movie, it's not one of the best I've seen I think. Maybe I should do a rewatch in a while though.

Francis Buck: there were two scenes where you see Eli's appearance change, both connected to when she(I'm gonna use she here since the actor is a female, I know that in the book it's actually a castrated boy) is drinking blood. It's probably just a glimpse so you see that Eli is a lot older than 12, and also a glimpse into the more animalistic nature of vampires in general.

[denstorebog]

An interesting aside: None of you have heard the voice of the actress playing Eli. Eli's voice was provided by a voice actress with a "darker voice", because, as pointed out above, Eli is in fact a castrated boy (in the movie as well).

[Kindly Old Man]

As was the scenes with Eli's serial killer "dad". I thoguht they were great, and showed his carelessness and that he was doing it more because he felt forced to do it and maybe not because he liked it.

Love this movie, one of my favorite horror films. I always imagined that Eli's caretaker started out like Oskar, and while he obviously still cared for Eli deeply he had been worn down after years of killing and hiding and running. It makes the story feel a little more poignant to me, knowing that that may be Oskar's future.

[Theda Baratheon]

I thought the guy was a pedo lol.

[JonArryn]

I thought the guy was a pedo lol.

He was in the books. The director decided to cut that storyline out though. And he was a pedo in the book, but he still cared deeply for Eli, in a non-sexual way I think. I haven't read the book but I read about some changes made from book to movie yesterday after I watched the movie and there are some interesting things to read up on.

[Theda Baratheon]

I think I will read the book at some point.