A Response to 'Let the Right One In'

I have never been one to jump at the opportunity to watch a horror film.  After watching "Let the Right One In," my preference to avoid horror films remains steadfast.  I found myself constantly cringing in fright at the gory scenes, as well as questioning the educational institution Oskar attended.  Why would the school inform innocent children about house fires, murders, and drugs.  It is clear that as a result of being surrounded by murder and violence, Oskar, himself, is a violent soul.  It is not often that a 12-year old boy is emphatically obsessed with murder and knives to the point where he constantly carries a knife with him in his pocket.  He is so preoccupied with violence, in fact, that he keeps somewhat of a diary to document murders and weaponry.  Odd.  I found it especially surprising that Oskar was not initially able to stand up for himself in the face of the ruthless school bullies, given his inclination toward violence.  When he does eventually defend himself from the bullies, albeit a violent episode, Oskar demonstrated unwavering strength that had been boiling in his coveted blood.  This sudden spurt of confidence can be attributed to one entity: his vampire love interest, Eli.       

I did notice a resemblance between "Let the Right One In" and the 2008 vampire flick, "Twilight."  Both films incorporated a storyline of romance that provided a rather tender outlet apart from the more horrifying film aspects.  One scene I found particularly sweet and innocent was that in which Oskar gave Eli his Rubix Cube.  A Rubix Cube symbolizes innocence in it that it is a childhood toy and in that it is colorful, rather than bleak and gray.  Although Eli represents the furthest thing from innocence, this moment is arguably one of the only scenes throughout the movie that displays qualities uncharacteristic of horror films.