'Let the Right One In' Episode 1 Review: Showtime's psychological drama is a triumphant take on vampire stories
There have been a lot of projects from the folklore of vampires and some of the have been path-breaking. From ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Thirst’ to ‘Isle of the Dead’ and ‘Nosferatu’, the sub-genre of vampire movies have always been thriving with amazing storylines. However, in recent years, we have seen the sub-genre going from good to average because of some underwhelming plotlines. But it seems things are going to change and viewers are finally going to see a worthy story in the form of Showtime’s ‘Let the Right One In’.
Based on the 2004 novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Showtime’s latest horror psychological drama chronicles the journey of a father-daughter duo, who has come to New York to start their new phase in life. Mark (Demian Bichir) loves his daughter Eleanor (Madison Taylor Baez) and they have been best of friends. However, their lives turn upside down when Mark’s 12-year-old daughter suddenly turns into a vampire and starts living a closed-in life. They move to New York in order to find a cure for Eleanor’s condition and turn her back into a normal kid. This is undoubtedly a fresh take on vampire stories and from the very first frame it keeps you hooked to your screens.
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The series takes place in the harsh New York winter where homicides and violent crimes are on the rise and no one knows who is doing all this. Meanwhile, Mark and Eleanor make sure that they don’t move away from this place because of Eleanor’s condition.
They have changed places because people start to behave awkwardly around them wherever they live. The biggest plus point of this series is that even though it’s a vampire story, but it relies on human emotions. Yes, it’s a refreshing new take on vampires and a genuinely terrifying one, but the series works because the relationships that exist between the characters are raw and genuine. The scene where Eleanor argues with Mark when she starts feeling that she’s going to stay like this for the rest of her life and Mark makes her understand that he’ll do anything to save her, shows how genuine and raw their relationship is. The eerie feeling that Mark gets when someone comes around her daughter is so natural and makes viewers feel the pain if their own kid is suffering.
The cast of ‘Let the Right One In’ is exceptional. Demian Bichir is the soul of this series and gives a phenomenal performance. Meanwhile, Grace Gummer, Zeljko Ivanek, Anika Noni Rose, and Nick Stahl are exceptional in their respective roles. However, it’s Madison Taylor Baez and Ian Foreman (Isaiah) who steal the show with their mesmerizing performances. The conversations between Eleanor and Isaiah feel authentic even though they sound silly sometimes, but the setting makes that little conversation feel really great.
The first episode of ‘Let the Right One In’ lays a strong foundation for the things to come and it will only get better from here. We have finally got a vampire story that doesn’t lack actual terrifying sequences and raw human emotions that makes the series a must-watch.
You should definitely check this out.
'Let the Right One In' will be available for streaming on the Showtime app on Friday, October 7. Meanwhile, the show premieres exclusively on the Showtime channel on Sunday, October 9, at 10 pm EST.