Let the Right One In

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Let the Right One In

R

2008

1h 54m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

193 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a sensitive, bullied 12-year-old boy living with his mother in suburban Sweden, meets his new neighbor, the mysterious and moody Eli (Lina Leandersson), they strike up a friendship. Initially reserved with each other, Oskar and Eli slowly form a close bond, but it soon becomes apparent that she is no ordinary young girl. Eventually, Eli shares her dark, macabre secret with Oskar, revealing her connection to a string of bloody local murders.

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Critics Consensus

Let the Right One In reinvigorates the seemingly tired vampire genre by effectively mixing scares with intelligent storytelling.

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Annalee Schafranek

Bitch Media

My favorite Swedish import.

Dec 18, 2020

Full Review

Carina Chocano

Los Angeles Times

Sinister but gorgeous and compelling.

Oct 7, 2013

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Bruce Diones

The New Yorker

A remarkably moving horror tale, about a pale, bullied twelve-year-old boy (Kåre Hedebrant) and his first love (Lina Leandersson), who happens to be a vampire.

Oct 7, 2013

Full Review

Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

At the heart of the story is a coming of age romance between two tragic characters that is very compelling. There is an impending sense of dread for all the main characters. You are rooting for them, but... every possible outcome is tragic.

Rated: 10/10

Sep 23, 2025

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Isolating and bare, Let the Right One In combines appropriate uses of setting and story to tell an affecting drama rich in pathos.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 2, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Chilling in more ways than one, this Swedish import uses its frozen environment to great advantage.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 15, 2023

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Jed M

A Hauntingly Beautiful Masterpiece Let the Right One In is not just a vampire film—it's a chilling, tender, and deeply human story that lingers long after the credits roll. Set against the stark, snow-blanketed backdrop of suburban Sweden, the film weaves a coming-of-age tale that’s equal parts eerie and poignant. Kåre Hedebrant delivers a quietly powerful performance as Oskar, a lonely, bullied boy whose life changes when he meets Eli, played with mesmerizing subtlety by Lina Leandersson. Their bond is delicate and strange, filled with unspoken understanding and a shared sense of isolation. The film never rushes their connection—it lets it breathe, unfold, and ultimately transform both characters in haunting ways. Director Tomas Alfredson masterfully balances horror with emotional depth. The violence, when it comes, is shocking but never gratuitous. Instead, it serves the story’s deeper themes: the cost of survival, the ache of loneliness, and the strange, sometimes dark, ways we find connection. Visually, the film is stunning. The cold, muted palette mirrors the emotional landscape of its characters, and the cinematography is filled with quiet, unforgettable moments—like the pool scene, which is as terrifying as it is poetic. This is a film that reinvents the vampire genre by grounding it in real emotion. It’s unsettling, yes—but also tender, tragic, and oddly hopeful. Let the Right One In doesn’t just scare you. It moves you.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/30/25

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Zahra R.

Loved it. Well made movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/29/25

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Keith M

Vampires are people too. :-) Great movie. I have seen it at least 3 times but will watch again this year.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/21/25

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alan G.

Bad foreign film. Use garlic.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/21/25

Full Review

Carson C

I have read the source material for this movie which is batshit crazy and extremely gory. I couldn't make it through very much of this as it was incredibly boring, not compelling whatsoever and it just didn't scream horror in the slightest to me. I had heard how beloved this film was and was highly disappointed.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/16/25

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Tom F

The best vampire movie I’ve seen in years.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/03/25

Full Review

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Tomas Alfredson

Director

Kåre Hedebrant

Oskar

Lina Leandersson

Eli

Per Ragnar

Hakan

Henrik Dahl

Erik

Karin Bergquist

Yvonne

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Synopsis

When Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a sensitive, bullied 12-year-old boy living with his mother in suburban Sweden, meets his new neighbor, the mysterious and moody Eli (Lina Leandersson), they strike up a friendship. Initially reserved with each other, Oskar and Eli slowly form a close bond, but it soon becomes apparent that she is no ordinary young girl. Eventually, Eli shares her dark, macabre secret with Oskar, revealing her connection to a string of bloody local murders.

Director: Tomas Alfredson
Producer: Carl Molinder, John Nordling
Screenwriter: John Ajvide Lindqvist
Production Co: Canal+, Sandrew Metronome
Rating: R (Brief Nudity|Bloody Violence|Disturbing Images|Language)
Genre: Horror
Original Language: Swedish
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 14, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.1M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD

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