10 Swedish Horror Movies You Must See Before You Die
6. Let The Right One In (2008)
Released almost fifteen years ago, Let the Right One In still ranks as both one of the best vampire films and one of the best cinematic novel adaptations of the century thus far.
Directed by Tomas Alfredson and written by John Ajvide Lindqvist (who also wrote the 2004 book), it focuses on the bittersweet relationship between a perpetually bullied boy, Oskar, and sympathetic and supportive girl, Eli, who appears as a fellow adolescent but later reveals herself to be an ancient bloodsucker.
It’s an equally brutal and beautiful film narratively and cinematically, with richly developed protagonists and conflicts keeping viewers extremely invested from start to finish. In particular, Eli’s internal struggle between her bestial needs and honest affection for Oksar leads to many awesomely vicious and eternally touching moments.
The final scenes are expressly resonant in that respect; without going into spoilers, suffice it to say that Eli’s final display of loyalty to Oskar is immensely ruthless but romantic. Likewise, the ultimate implication about their future together – and the true power dynamic between them – is powerful on multiple levels.
While the 2010 American-British remake is quite good in its own right – no pun intended – the Swedish original is definitely superior.