Let the Wrong One In was a title just waiting to happen. Comedy horror is a popular genre, and the title seems to promise a send up of the genre. Things never go in that direction, however. The film is about a young supermarket worker named Matt (Karl Rice) whose older brother Deco (Eoin Duffy) has been turned into a bloodsucker. Is blood thicker than water or will Matt have to stake his brother?
There is plenty of humor in the film, but it also serves as another example of just how much audiences love vampires as comedic foils. There have been spoofs, romantic comedies, and silly coming of age stories all centered around the creatures. There has even been family friendly fare. Other monsters do not have the same cachet. Vampire comedy is a part of popular culture.
Let the Wrong One In mixes in many of these types of sub-genres. There is also a touching family story intertwined with a character study. As with any good vampire comedy, it never takes itself too seriously. A great example is why Deco has been estranged from his family. It is a serious issue that leads to genuine moments. Still, the movie is unafraid to have fun with what has happened.
An important part of most vampire comedies is the misunderstanding. In this case, it is Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Anthony Head, who plays a vampire hunter named Henry. As expected, Henry thinks that it is best to deal with Deco before he has hurt too many people. It sounds like stunt casting added just to play to fans of the series, but the scenes involving the two brothers and Henry are some of the strongest moments.
Let the Wrong One In takes some missteps along the way. The opening involving the bridal party is hilarious. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie never quite gets to the same level. The villainous vampires end up being underused, though this may be to put more of a focus on the brothers. Overall, it is a fun vampire comedy that is a find addition to this style of film.
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