Let Me In: Blu Ray review

Let Me In: Blu Ray review

Let Me In
Rating: R16
Released by Warner Bros

From the director of Cloverfield comes a shot-for-shot remake of the perfect Swedish vampire/horror film, Let The Right One In.

It's 1980s New Mexico: Kodi Smit-McPhee plays 12-year-old Owen. His parents are on the verge of divorcing and his school life is hell, thanks to daily bullying. He's pretty much your archetypal loner kid who just can't seem to connect with anyone (through no fault of his own).

At the same time as Owen's trying to make his way through a miserable existence, police are hunting an apparent ritualistic murderer who drains victims of their blood. They're at a loss to work out why the victims are targeted and what the motive is.

One day in a snowy courtyard, Owen meets Abby (Chloe Moretz), an apparent kindred soul who, despite initially bonding with Owen, warns him they can't be friends.

But against the grain, the two become friends - Owen drawing strength from Abby, and Abby benefiting from the daily contact with someone her same age.

However, their two worlds are threatened when Abby's truth is revealed ... and what's inside her threatens to boil over.

Let Me In is a superior horror and, quite frankly, given the source material it was taken from, there really is nothing else it could be.

Purists who've seen the Swedish masterpiece will notice how 95 per cent of the film is just reshot from the original and it's simply the location which has been changed.

Yet, that's unfair to simply dismiss Matt Reeves' version. Let Me In works brilliantly because of the three main characters, all of whom put in textured, layered and tender performances. Richard Jenkin proves once again he can't put a foot wrong - his role as Abby's protector is filled with sadness at the horror of the situation he lives in - and his final scenes with Abby are haunting and emotionally charged

Thrilling and frightening, Let Me In is possibly one of the best remakes I've seen all year.

Extras: Commentary with director; making of, FX special, deleted scenes and a blow by blow account of a scene

Rating: 8/10