Let Me In
When Hollywood announced it was ‘re-imagining’ Let The Right One In it was met by a chorus of groans from those left entranced by the brilliant Swedish horror film.
But here’s a pleasant surprise – Tinseltown has, for once, not completely mangled a cult classic.
No, it’s not as good as the original but there are enough deft touches here to make Let Me In a very good horror offering in its own right.
Sticking pretty close to its source material, the film focuses on the friendship between bullied youngster Owen (14-year-old Aussie actor Kodi Smit-McPhee) and Abby (Chloe Moretz), a strange girl who moves into his building.
With her creepy older companion spending his nights killing people, it becomes clear Abby has a disturbing secret. While the action has been moved from Blackeberg to Los Alamos, director Matt Reeves wisely keeps the eerie, snow-covered environment of the original intact.
The majority of the best set-pieces have also been retained, while Reeves has added a few killer twists of his own, including an incredible car crash.
It’s not as subtle as the Swedish version but, with the cast putting in moving performances, this is a real masterclass in how to remake a great film.
4/5
GOOD FOR: Those who haven’t seen the original.
Watch the Let Me In trailer here.
– Pierre De Villers
