Let Me In

I don't know the original, so I'm not comparing, and it's probably a good thing this time. Let Me In swept me away in a way that modern horror hasn't managed to do in quite some time (with the exception of Dream House). I'm not surprised that it's Stephen King who is praising it so enthusiastically - it's just like one of his stories, in which supernatural and seemingly scary creatures/things end up appearing in an unexpectedly sympathetic light (without losing any of their scariness) and the worst deeds are committed by ordinary people. That's what gives me the chills. I praise the direction, which is impressive during the bloody and melancholic scenes, Giacchino's amazing music and the performances of the small and big (Richard Jenkins!) actors... I give it a fifth star for the ending, which fortunately did not show everything. (2012-11-14)

I don't really seek out vampire-themed films, but this is a very good film within the genre. Not necessarily because of any perfect effects, but mainly due to the carefully crafted atmosphere and the steadily increasing tension, with music playing a big part in both. When you add to that the excellent performances of the central duo, who, despite their differences and all the adversities, find affection for each other, along with the unpredictable ending, I can't really fault the creators for anything. However, take my review with a grain of salt, because I haven't read the book and i have also not seen the original Swedish film directed by Tomas Alfredson. (75%) (2021-01-24)

The only thing qualitatively comparable to the Swedish original is the setting in the oppressive and detached environment of a suburban housing estate. Otherwise, it's basically a sort of inferior copy of the original film, which by its creation precisely satisfied the American audience's demand for an English dub. And I can't help but think that even the direction was better in the original version (even "just" the finale), not to mention the strangely platonic, yet intimate relationship between the main characters, which lacks any sensuality or even the slightest spark in the American version. (2011-03-31)

Love is blind. A well-made horror movie, supported by an interesting storyline and excellent acting performances by little squirts, Kodi Smith-McPhee and Chloe Moretz. I haven’t seen the original, and to tell the truth I understand why Reeves (if it’s true what most people are say) copied it so faithfully, just Americanizing it a little. Imagine watching a movie. A perfect movie that you like exactly the way it is. Then an American producer comes in and says that he wants a remake. “But this movie is perfect, why would you want to change anything?" you ask. Of course his only aim is to make a quick buck and so the only way to minimize damage is to say: “Ok I’ll do it, but let me make it as true to the original as possible..." (2011-01-30)

I haven't seen the one year older original yet, but if the reviews here don't lie and its quality exceeds this British remake by a full 13%, then I have something to look forward to. In fact, I strongly suspect that the lukewarm reception of Reeves's film is due solely to the fact that it is second only to the Swedish original. Because as far as I'm concerned, I was completely satisfied after the end and Let Me In not only met my expectations to the tee, but in some places it even exceeded them. First of all, I was fascinated by the well-drawn atmosphere and the gradual friendship of the two main characters, which is portrayed in a truly impressive way. This is greatly helped by the two young actors, whose performances are impossible not to enjoy. Moreover, the combination of drama and horror was almost flawless, the horror passages are really unpleasant and chilling, and the exploration of the two protagonists also left a very strong impression on me thanks to the overall theme and the growing tension. I think it’s unfair to throw this film almost into the garbage, although copying a film that is only a year older is admittedly a bit of a head scratcher. 4.5* (2012-10-17)