Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vampire remake is much gorier than Twilight.
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a mix of dark themes and emotional storytelling, focusing on friendship and the harsh realities of adolescence, with a significant amount of gore and violence that some find compelling while others deem excessive. The portrayal of bullying and the relationship dynamics between the main characters evoke both sympathy and discomfort, with many suggesting it's suitable for mature teens but cautioning against younger viewers due to its R rating.
- dark themes
- emotional storytelling
- significant gore
- bullying portrayal
- mature teens
- unsuitable for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The slightly odd Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) lives a lonely existence in wintry New Mexico, circa 1983. His parents are divorced, he has no friends, and he's the target of merciless bullies. One night he meets his new neighbor, Abby (Chloe Grace Moretz), who seems even odder than Owen: She doesn't go to school, she can't eat candy, and she can solve a Rubik's Cube. Abby warns Owen that they can't be friends, but they make a connection anyway -- and by the time that Owen learns that she's a vampire, it's too late -- she's his only friend, and she has begun to help him come out of his shell. How long can a friendship like this last? Will Owen survive his bullies long enough to find out?
Is It Any Good?
Director Matt Reeves has kept very close to the much-loved, critically acclaimed Swedish original Let the Right One In, including its hushed, wintry atmosphere and deliberate pacing. The new film adds in more intense, gory sequences (and some particularly awful CG effects), as well as some more "explanatory" sequences that provide more information on the characters; there's less mystery here.
The more obvious gore has the effect of neutralizing the movie's climactic sequence. In the original, it's a shocker, but here it's yet another gory scene in a long line of them. As a remake, it resides in the shadow of the original, and there's no real comparison. But the expert performances by youngsters Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloe Grace Moretz go a long way in rescuing the new movie. These tender, emotionally mature characters provide the centerpiece for a very intense, effective coming-of-age story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the film's violence and blood and gore. How did it affect you?
Is fighting back a good way to deal with bullies? Did Owen's actions help his situation? What are some other ways of dealing with bullies?
Owen clearly needed someone to reach out to, but is Abby the right choice? Who else could he have reached out to?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 1, 2010
- On DVD or streaming : February 1, 2011
- Cast : Chloe Grace Moretz , Kodi Smit-McPhee , Richard Jenkins
- Director : Matt Reeves
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Overture Films
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , Holidays ( Halloween ) , Fantasy ( Monsters , Vampires ) , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody horror violence, language and a brief sexual situation
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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