Let the Right One In is an American psychological horror drama television series developed by Andrew Hinderaker, inspired by the novel of the same name by Swedish writer John Ajvide Lindqvist. The series stars Demián Bichir as Mark Kane, alongside Madison Taylor Baez, Anika Noni Rose, Grace Gummer, Ian Foreman, and Kevin Carroll. The show diverges from the source material, focusing on a father who cares for his daughter after she becomes a vampire.
Let the Right One In features 10 episodes in its first season and closes with a tense cliff-hanger. While fans of the source material might be disappointed that this series is only loosely based on the novel, may we suggest that the series exploits the divergence to its fullest extent. Thus, the series has much to recommend itself with notwithstanding.
The only similarities between this and the source material are that it involves a father and Ellie, his vampire daughter (though of course, that was not really the case in the novel ultimately) and her relationship with a young boy living in the neighbouring apartment. This series leans into the father-daughter relationship by asking a critical question – what would a person do to protect a loved one if he or she had become a vampire? The answer – all kinds of dark, despicable things!
Unlike the novel also, Let the Right One In series attempts to provide a scientific basis for the vampirism i.e. it is a virus the infects a person, with symptoms that are commonly associated with vampires in folklore. Luminous eyes, increased strength and speed, a sunlight weakness and the need to be invited into a home – hence, the title.
What is most interesting about the series, is that the so-called antagonist (Claire Logan) is in the same boat as the Kanes. That is, she (and her henchmen) are only acting in the interesting of finding a cure for her brother Peter, who was made a vampire the same night that Ellie was. Thus, in the first half of the series, we are presented with two stories before they cleverly intersect at about mid-point. However, of course, the series somewhat painted itself into a corner and it will be interesting to see how they resolve this dilemma in Season 2, if it happens. Recommended.
Watch now on Amazon | Read our review of Interview with the Vampire
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