Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Let Me In is a very gory remake of the 2008 Swedish vampire movie Let the Right One In. It has similarly somber mood, more blood, and a bit less mystery. Both movies include some fairly controversial elements -- such as a 12-year-old girl disrobing (nothing is shown) and climbing into bed with a 12-year-old boy (nothing happens). There's also teen bullying and smoking, strong language (including "f--k" and "s--t"), and many disturbing and frightening images (lots of which are soaked in gushing blood). Teens who are looking for something weightier than what the Twilight saga has to offer will appreciate the strong characters and performances, but it's not age-appropriate for younger viewers -- or anyone with a low tolerance for gore.

Sexual Content

In one controversial scene, the 12-year-old vampire girl takes off her clothes (nothing is shown) and climbs into bed with the 12-year-old boy. There's no hint of sex or even kissing, but the boy does choose this moment to ask the girl to go steady. Later the boy and the girl share an awkward, sexually charged moment alone in a secret room, though nothing happens. Otherwise, the boy spies on his neighbors and catches a man and a woman about to have sex. Viewers see a naked breast and kissing. Some bullies at school try to remove a girl's bathing suit (the act is more malicious than sexual).

Violence

Bloody attacks, sucking of blood, gushing blood, neck snapping, strangling, disposal of dead bodies, thumb slicing, suicide, a face burned with acid, scary vampire images, bodies bursting into flame, and attempted drowning. There's a car accident that's shown from inside the car. A 12-year-old boy plays with a kitchen knife. Also severe and violent bullying among the middle schoolers; the hero fights back by hitting a bully in the side of the head with a large stick. In one death scene, viewers can see a pulsing vein in the victim's neck slowly stop moving.

Language

Strong language throughout, including many uses of "f--k" and "s--t," as well as "Jesus," "Jesus Christ," and "God" (alll used as exclamations) and "goddamn," "pissed," "ass," and "crap."

Social Behavior

Main character Owen is an awkward kid who's dealing with life in a miserable little town, an absent dad, and a mother who's a distant religious fanatic. Bullies threaten him at school, and he has no friends until he meets a vampire girl about his age. It's nice that Owen finally connects with someone, but needless to say, theirs is a rather unhealthy relationship. Their behavior together is often irresponsible -- it includes lying, too much sexual tension for such a young age, revenge, and running away. And the girl actually kills several people with no consequences.

Consumerism

Most brands/logos are used to help establish the movie's 1983 setting: Rubik's Cube, Ms. Pac-Man, KISS.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Several secondary characters, all teens, are seen smoking cigarettes. One of the main adult characters smokes regularly.