Let the Right One In

As Episode 1 of "Let the Right One In" (2022 release; 10 episodes of about an hour each) opens, we are introduced to Mark as he is on a train, with a large box next to him, later revealed as containing his young-looking vampire daughter Ellie. Mark and Ellie are returning to New York for reasons unknown. Neighboring their apartment is a single mom and her 11 or 12 yo son. AS it happens, the mom is a police detective and at the start of a grizzly investigation into a suspicious death,,, At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: you may recall that on 2008 a brilliant Swedish film "Let the Right One In" (based on the Swedish novel of the same name) was released, which in turn led to the 2010 Hollywood remake "Let Me In", quite good but not the sensation that was the Swedish original (and it bombed at the US box office). Now a decade+ Andrew Hinderaker ("Away") brings us this TV series, "inspired" by the Swedish novel. Based solely on the opening episode (the only one available at this time), I can't help but wonder what the point of it is. The premise is of course the same as before: a man and his vampire daughter who looks like a 12 yo girl but in reality we don't know how old she really is, try to survive the best they can (the opening episode is tellingly titled "Anything For Blood"), while in a parallel story the vampire girl befriends the neighboring boy. If you've seen the original Swedish movie or even the Hollywood remake, chances are that you will ponder one thought: "why this TV series?". That certainly is my sense at this point. It's not that Episode 1 was "bad" but it feels unnecessary. I'll certainly give it a couple of additional episodes before making up my mind whether to stick with it or whether to bail.

I'm not sure why IMDb has this listed as Episode 1 premiering on October 9. I saw Episode 1 three days ago (October 6) when it started streaming on Showtime. Future episodes will be released on a weekly basis. If you are curious about the latest re-imagining of one of the best and most original vampire stories in the last 20 years, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

*UPDATE* I've now seen the next 2 episodes. And I've upgraded my rating to 7 stars, even to my own surprise. Really liking the flow of this mini-series.

*UPDATE* 11/21/22 We are now 7 episodes into this, and after a so-so start, this mini-series has really found its own groove. Episode 7 in particular in very strong, as it finally reveals the origin story of whatever happened to Ellie some 10 years ago, and also what happened to her mom.

After 'The Passage', a too brilliant series, another super bright and full of potential show bites the dust due to the incommensurable dinosaur-brain quality of the related Network's executives who just lick at the Viewers-Cash_Performance chart.

'Let the Right One In' is so superb, so enthralling, so well-acted that most viewers are aghast and in shock at the cancellation.

I enjoyed it tremendously, loved the screenplay and plots, the cute, emotional and tender friendship between the two teenagers, the atmosphere and pace of the show and above all, the more than marvelous acting of Madison Taylor Baez who at such tender age, is already a force to reckon with. Loved her serious, powerful and very charismatic play.

One of the better ending to date, opening new horizons, just wasted.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 7.5
• Development: 8
• Realism: 7
• Entertainment: 8.5
• Acting: 8
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 8
• VFX: 8.5
• Music/score/sound: 7
• Depth: 7.5
• Logic: 6.5
• Flow: 8.5
• Drama/horror: 7.5
• Ending: 8.5.

Well I just now read it's been canceled!

I'm not happy. I looked forward every Friday to watching it! It was such a great series. I liked it so much more than the movie. Very disappointed!!!

I wish another streaming channel would pick it up. Too many of the shows today are canceled after just one season. I read also that American Giglio was cancelled. Now Showtime and Paramount plus are combining. Everything is combining and then they cancel so many of our shows. Many shows in the CW were cancelled also. Very very disappointed in their decision to do away with this series. It was such a good show.

Never rated anything this high right out the gate after only 2 episodes.. I feel this is one of the best done series i've seen in a while. I'm talking filming, editing, etc. We'll see how well eveything else goes as it progresses. I watched the original Swedish film many years ago and while I've never read the book ( so that doesn't cloud my judgement) I loved the 2008 film and so far I'm really liking this. I love Demian Bishir he is excellent in this the only thing is the relationship with Elenor and Isah makes the entire story and I feel the actor playing the boy doesn't doesn't have the skill for the part. Also on a side note why does the mother constantly berate her son in one scene tells him to take off the blazer/jacket it will make him a target?!? I understand the kid's bullied but her and her detective make derogatory comments about him? She seems to make him feel worse about himself? Any ways I'm going to have to rewatch last night episode because I started it a 4am and fell asleep half way thru. So far I am really liking this! I hope all 10 episodes live up to the first 2!

I really wanted to dislike this series. In fact, I just KNEW I would dislike it because I loved the 2008 original and in my mind, there was a measure of: 'Why mess with a good thing? Contrary to popular opinion, I also liked the 2010 remake. It was in no way comparable to the original, but for the most part, IMO, it stood on its own, and more so, brought this highly original tale to the mainstream viewing public.

"Knowing" that I would dislike it 😉, however, is quite different from not watching it. And so I did.

The first few minutes proved me right. I hated it ... right before I really, really began to like it.

To begin, both Demián Bichir (the main character's dad) and Ian Foreman (the "boy" main character) deliver stellar performances. Ian, as Isaiah, a bullied, demoralized, misunderstood outcast, brings just the right amount of feeling to every scene he is in. I think very few will not feel for him. In the same manner, Demián Bichir steals the spotlight with his portrayal of a father tormented by what lengths he is willing to go and what paths he is willing to traverse for his daughter. **Below, I have included his Episode 2 "prayer" for those who did not have an on-screen translation.**

Ato Essandoh, as Isaiah's dad, is also pretty noteworthy.

Other characters are bit less noteworthy. The acting from Madison Taylor Baez who plays the girl main character, Eleanor, is especially ... wanting. Some of her lines are delivered too crisply, too "acted". This is forgivable. She is young and there are times when she too does really well.

The other thing that bothers me a bit is how seamlessly or coincidentally all these characters just HAPPEN to tie in to each other. One HAS to set aside a measure of incredulousness and reach way down for some extra believability in order to buy into it.

Still, if one can manage to do that, the series, so far, works. I would like to know how it turns out for everyone.

7.5/10

******************************** Episode 2 - Spanish Prayer.

"Hear my words lord. We have wandered in darkness for ten long years. Enlighten us and show us the way. My God and Lord, I beg you to remove this chalice of death from Ellen's (Eleanor's) lips. Enlighten us and show us the way. Answer me when I talk to you! Merciful God, ease my sorrows. Have mercy on me. Listen to my prayers, damnit!"