Eli, Let the Right One In
The 2008 Swedish film Let the Right One In chronicled the story of Eli, a vampire with the body of a 12-year-old child. Played by young actress Lina Leandersson, Eli finds a kindred spirit in Oskar, a bullied boy who becomes an unlikely ally to the vampire. Extremely pained by a parasitic appetite, Eli circles back around to humanity, and as a relationship with Oskar develops, emotions (like trust and love) seep back in. At its center, Eli and Oskar's story is one about first love and transcending friendship — with fangs. A smash on the film-festival circuit, the film garnered praise from critics and moviegoers alike for its gritty plot and indie appeal. Despite a limited release in theaters in the U.S., the film's popularity heightened during its DVD release in March 2009, proving that a vampire film could be artistic in the midst of all the Twilight fervor.