Let Me In (2010)

Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is lonely, existing in a state of semi-neglect due to his parents’ separation, and suffering at the hands of the school bully. One night he meets Abby (Chloe Moretz), a strange girl, seemingly of a similar age, who has moved into the apartment next door. The two immediately connect and through Abby’s encouragement, Owen learns to stand up for himself, but will their relationship last when Abby’s true nature is revealed?

Let Me In is an American adaptation of the Swedish movie Let the Right One In, which is based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. This remake was directed by Matt Reeves, who was also responsible for directing Cloverfield.
The foremost question in the mind of anyone who has seen and appreciated the original film must be “Is the remake as good?” And the answer is “If not as good, then very close indeed.” Let Me In is an exceptional copy of Let the Right One In, but a worthy watch in its own right. Flawlessly acted by Moretz and Smit-McPhee (and Elias Koteas is excellent as The Policeman) and beautifully directed it remains one hundred percent faithful to the original.
There are a couple of differences that stood out though: the chemistry between the two young actors is not as apparent in Let Me In as in Let the Right One In; the school bully, Kenny (Dylan Minnette), seemed to be older than Owen here, somehow softening the impact of some later scenes; and the lighting in some scenes seemed much darker than in the original, but less effective atmospherically. These are minor points, all things considered.
 
Recommended, whether or not you have seen Let the Right One In: 4.5 out of 5.

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