HALLOWEENTOWN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Every day this month, resident horror movie enthusiast and 828newsNOW staff reporter Pruett Norris is recommending a Halloween film for your macabre amusement.
Whether they be monster movies or fearsome family films, demonic possessions or slasher sensations, this exercise hopes to encourage spooky seasonal “scream”ings at home or in cinemas.
As the old saying goes, “trick or treat, trick or treat, give me something good to…watch.”
Day 24: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008, 115 min., directed by Tomas Alfredson)
The defining vampire movie of 2008, if not the 21st century, is Tomas Alfredson’s Swedish, pseudo-romantic coming-of-age film “Let the Right One In.” Sorry, “Twilight.”
“Let the Right One In” is an adaptation of a 2004 novel about a young boy besieged by bullies who befriends a young girl with whom he shares an apartment complex. When the young girl is revealed to be a vampire, the boy enlists her help in fighting back against his bullies. It should be a heartwarming tale, even if set against the chilly urban sprawl of 1980s Stockholm.
However, “Let the Right One In” has a lot to say about the viciousness of human beings, as all good monster movies do. The film weaves the story of Oskar, the boy, and Eli, the girl, in and out of a tale of the worst of humanity. The vampire mechanics of the A plot are remarkable and interesting and the moral indictment of the B plot is rampant with intrigue.
A blurb on the film’s poster declared it the “Best. Vampire movie. Ever.” and it’s easy to see why: Let the right vampire movie into your heart, and it’ll stick its fangs in forever. “Let the Right One In” does it with ease.
“Let the Right One In” is available to stream on Peacock, Tubi and Prime Video.
Looking for more October movie recommendations? Read the rest of the 828boosNOW archive:
DAY 1: BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
DAY 3: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS
DAY 5: SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE WITCH’S GHOST
DAY 7: THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
DAY 8: THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
DAY 14: KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE
DAY 15: CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON