Let the Right One In… Remake, what goes on?

Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Horror Films

I have an issue I need to discuss, pent up frustration I need to expel. I have tried to stay quiet, tried to understand but I won’t be silent anymore!

Dread Central posted an article which quotes the writer of the remake of Let The Right One In,  Matt Reeves. Yes you read correctly the REMAKE of Let the Right One In! Last years haunting, evocative film, detailing the horror of a young adolescent boys (Oskar) encounter with a vampire (Eli) and the desperation and isolation of those around them. The film is acknowledged as an outstanding contribution to the horror body of work, has been given numerous accolades most recently a Saturn Award, also numerous film festival and critics awards (48 in total). The film was adapted from the book of the same name by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, also a quality addition to the horror genre.

Matt Reeves, of Cloverfield fame, speaks about the film having a profound impact on him, that he felt compelled to remake it? What goes on?

“I was so taken with the story and I had a very personal reaction. It reminded me a lot of my childhood, with the metaphor that the hard times of your pre-adolescent, early adolescent moment, that painful experience is a horror.”

He then goes on to express his understanding that audieces are attached to the film and hopes they will give his remake a chance:

“I can understand because of people’s love of the [original] film that there’s this cynicism that I’ll come in and trash it, when in fact I have nothing but respect for the film. I’m so drawn to it for personal and not mercenary reasons, my feeling about it is if I didn’t feel a personal connection and feel it could be its own film, I wouldn’t be doing it. I hope people give us a chance.”

Reeves is apparently setting his film in Colorado, during the Regan years. Which I can understand may have been frustrating isolating times, but to compare or try to match the atmosphere of Sweden, mid winter in the eighties, the stillness, the darkness, I struggle to comprehend.

I struggle to comprehend the rationale for this remake at all. Let The Right One in was a piece of film making we haven’t seen in the horror genre for some time. A film that skillfully balanced  atmospheric with psychological horror, whilst establishing an empathy for the monster, however also highlighting the monsters in our day to day lives. Why remake this film? Its beyond me.

Ms Harker

Remake! Eli is bleeding at the thought of it!

Remake! Eli is bleeding at the thought of it!

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Permalink | June 30th, 2009

9 Responses to “Let the Right One In… Remake, what goes on?”

  1. B-Sol Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    I’m trying not to even think about this. Truly depressing. I didn’t see the American remake of [REC], and I won’t be seeing this.

  2. Brittney-Jade Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    I’m only seeing this to have something else to bitch about.

  3. Brian Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 10:24 pm

    It’s not as if it’s a generation later and updating the film with new bells and whistles is felt to be “necessary”. Besides, Let the Right One In is not that kind of film - not My Bloody Valentine, not Halloween or Friday the 13th where the plot and impact is action-driven.

    This remake sounds for all the world like an attempt to capitalize on an audience which simply can’t be bothered with learning to watch foreign films.

    If you really loved this film you would respect its integrity, and peculiar originality. In other words, you would leave it alone.

  4. Ms Harker Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 10:33 pm

    I haven’t seen any of the Asian Horror remakes i.e: The Ring, The Grudge etc. As I find it depressing and also don’t want to condone the grab for cash!

  5. Ms Harker Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 10:34 pm

    I don’t think I can do it, maybe I will have simmered down by 2010… no, probably not!

  6. Ms Harker Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    Well said, the slap in the face is the title has been changed, dumbed down if you will to ‘Let Me In’… What the hell?!?

  7. Jeanette Says:
    July 1st, 2009 at 6:51 am

    They’re remaking Thirst as well. Why can’t Hollywood leave well enough alone? Oh I forgot, it’s because they’re money-hungry bastards.

  8. B-Sol Says:
    July 1st, 2009 at 11:46 am

    Well said, Jeanette.

    And yeah, the whole title change burns me up too, Ms. Harker. One small thing though: I will go on the record as preferring the American Ring to the Japanese original. There, I said.

    Britt, don’t you have enough things to bitch about??

  9. Will Says:
    July 2nd, 2009 at 12:27 am

    Why is it that you always have these directors saying how much they love and respect the original film as a reason for why the won’t screw up a remake.
    Here’s an idea, if you love and respect the original so much, why not do more to get that version out there. This will be another steamy pile of turd and it’s only purpose in life is for the lazy jerks who don’t want to be bothered with reading subtitles.

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