Let the right one in communication and culture notes

Let the right one in à

Basic film notes à

Age rating 15

21^st century film

For a niche audience

It is an arty, intellectualised portrayal of the vampire.

Opening à

The start is quiet which is different than the usual vampire openings as it demands your full attention right from the off. It is an opening which mirrors the rest of the film.

The setting is suburban, run down and working class.

The main character is an outsider and the first time we see him it is in a reflection in the window.

The main vampire is a ’12 year old girl’.

The music sets the atmosphere for this film; a classical backing sound with dark colours accompanying it.

The first kill à

The vampire isn’t the one who kills at first, due to her being so young so she needs a helper to kill people.

The helper’s kills are problematic and he messes it up a lot of the time.

Continuing on with the film à

In this film the bullies are the thing that needs to be destroyed not the vampire, the vampire isn’t the antagonist.

The narrative is coming of age.

The film is set up as a love story between Oskar and Eli. (The vampire)

Oskar comes from a dysfunctional/broken family, living with his mum only.

The Rubik’s helps to symbolise that the vampire is going to give Oskar a solution to his problem; even if this is in an odd way.  

The kills are NEVER sexualised or eroticised in any way.

Eli hates being a vampire.

 Tone of the film à

There are long lingering shots of plants and nature.

The film is quiet.

There is often calm music in the background after something bad/aggressive has happened.

General notes à

The humans in the film commit violence for kicks and fun.

The film teaches children to hit back.

The film has a very controversial message of whether you should stand up and fight or stay afraid and runaway.

In the book the vampire is a male who was castrated during transformation into a vampire.

In the book the helper is a paedophile who falls in love with her as she is a child forever.

The vampire is a complex character as she is very self-serving so once someone is of no use to her anymore she discards of them.

The film uses the vampire myth to explore acceptance in society.