That even a classic subject like the vampire genre can still be given new sides was impressively proven by the 2004 novel "So dark the night" by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist. The congenial film adaptation by Tomas Alfredson, for which John Ajvide Lindqvist himself wrote the screenplay, can also justifiably be considered a welcome addition to the world of cinematic bloodsuckers.
Told is the story of 12-year-old Oskar (Kåre Hedebrandt) who lives with his mother in a grey block of houses in the Stockholm suburb of Blackenberg. Oskar is a typical loner who is regularly humiliated and bullied by some of his classmates. More and more the boy retreats into his own lonely world, dominated by thoughts of revenge against his tormentors. But then Oskar meets Eli (Lina Leandersson), a girl of the same age who has moved into the flat next door with her father. Although Oskar quickly realizes that there is clearly something wrong with the pale girl, who only shows her face outside at night and seems to be completely impervious to the biting cold, he finds himself drawn to Eli.
Slowly a friendship develops between the two, giving Oskar support and new confidence. When he learns that Eli is a vampire and that she is responsible for some brutal deaths in Blackenberg, he really should run away from her. After all, he could be her next victim.
In subdued, almost depressing colors, the film tells a poignant story about friendship and the end of childhood. The great feat, which works first-rate in both the book and the film, is that the occasional interspersed horror elements don't seem completely out of place in what is, in itself, a very sensitive setting. The harsh contrast between the quiet, sensitive moments and the already very gory scenes doesn't disrupt the flow of the film, but gives it that special something that makes "So Dark the Night" so special.
With very good, natural-looking actors (only Oskar's German dubbing voice seems a bit distracting), top-notch camerawork and fascinating psychological depth, this vampire drama is captivating from the first, to the last minute, despite the very leisurely pace. Accompanied by a wonderful soundtrack that is also rather untypical of the genre, Alfredson has created a multi-layered coming-of-age horror film that makes the genre arthouse-compatible.
But therein also lies the only problem that this film brings with it: in order to appeal to a wider audience, which "So dark the night" would more than deserve, the production simply lacks a clear target audience definition. The film is not very suitable for children and teenagers due to its violent scenes and also its silent staging. Even if just the important aspect of bullying among students in youth films is addressed far too rarely (and certainly not as relentlessly realistic, as here), which is why the film should be an absolute must-see, especially for young people between 14 and 18. For fans of harder horror there is too little and for sensitive arthouse fans too much blood. That leaves a small group somewhere in between that appreciates sophisticated films as much as horror and sensitive youth films. This may sound a bit confusing and off-putting now, but those appearances are deceiving. "So dark the night" is a wonderful film that proves that intelligent horror for adults is quite possible. Therefore: absolutely worth seeing!
Original title: Låt den rätte komma in
Directed by Tomas Alfredson
Length: approx. 110 min.
FSK: age 16+
Ein Artikel von Frankfurt-Tipp
