Let the Right One In

I was skeptical since a movie is being redone I to a series. That doesn't always work very well. I really wanted to give this a perfect score but just can't after only 3 episodes. The issues I had with the original movie as well as the American version is that I was left with so many questions. Immediately this series is giving the impression those questions may get answered. It has expanded upon the original story and seems to be setting up a nice plot for the viewer to get enthralled with. Add to it violence, gore, and effects that were only teased in the movies. All said this has the hal.arks of an excellent horror series with a likeable cast.

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.

I'm upset to learn that this show has been cancelled. I looked forward to watching it each week and was looking forward to a second season. Now, I'll have to add it to the list of GOOD shows that are canceled without being given a real chance. Shows like Downward Dog, Harlots, Imposters, I Am Not Okay With This, and Good Girls, while much less quality tv gets season after season.

This show had a slow build, but it draws you in. Each character had dimension. Even the peripheral characters, like Isaiah's dad or Naomi's partner or Peter's caregiver, make you care about what happens to them. And for the most part, it's well acted. Eleanor needs a bit more practice, but the Isaiah kid is going places!

Some people complain about how the characters changed from the original source material. Well, it's a reboot, not a remake. I, for one, am happy that they didn't try to remake something so great. Instead, they added a different dimension to the story - one of a parent's love and sacrifice. I found this dimension intriguing.

This story has some scarier parts, but overall, it's not scary. It's the character development that gets you, and the grittiness of the real world and the decisions one has to face and make to survive in it.

The cliffhanger! For that reason alone, we deserve a second season. 😝 But truly, it's a good show, with great characters and good actors.

I've seen both the original movie and the US adaptation. And always felt like it deserved a part two. This tv-series puts a nice twist on the original story by expanding the setting, introducing new characters and more. I really like what they did with it, honestly. I enjoy the fact that they are trying to give more details about the vampire virus while also focusing on what it's like for those suffering from it and their daily struggle to keep up appearances. I am glad that they changed some things and not just remake the movie into a tv-series. The casting is pretty good and after finishing the second episode, I am really hooked. I am curious to see where they will take the show. The reason why it's not so popular is because it's not on a major streaming service like "Netflix". But give it a try and you'll be surprised.

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!"