Let the Right One In

Both the original Swedish and its American counterpart borrow the Stephen King theme of making the horrors of adolescence into real monsters. The lead characters, Oskar and Ellie, are latchkey kids in a dismal blue collar town. Oskar lives and unhappy life of being bullied at school and making his own dinner alone at night. Ellie spends all her life looking out a window and hoping for a friend. They cure their loneliness by befriending each other.

The book on which the movies is based is much more horrifying that either movie suggests. The relationship between Ellie (or Abby) and her father is not wholesome. Ellie's history is truly brutal. The ending is more graphic and gothic than hopeful.

Each movie gets further from the original novel.

So far, the series follows the path taken by the movies. It doesn't ask why. It doesn't care why. Instead, it wants to cure Ellie, when those of us who saw the movie know that Ellie doesn't want a cure.

Whether or not the search of the "original" monster can sustain the series yet, I can't tell. It seems to meander, has way too many characters, and so far does little to develop the two principal characters. Since they are the heart of both the book and the films, that may be a problem as time goes on.

Still, given the current state of drek when it comes to originality in Hollywood, I would rather watch the remake of remake of the film version of a novel than about 90% of programming.

The actors are good. The story is interesting. And i hope the show continues to expand the story.

Let's give it a chance.

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.

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.

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!"