Let the Right One In

Oskar and his father eat dinner and then play tic-tac-toe. Oskar cherishes time with his dad, so when one of his dad’s friends arrives, Janne, Oskar’s mood darkens. Oskar’s dad and Janne begin drinking, and Oskar realizes that the night is ruined: “But there would be no more crosses tonight. No circles. Nothing” (251).

A hospital receptionist named Maud Carlberg plays a game with herself while at work during the night. She makes up stories, then pretends that people entering the hospital are characters in her stories. When a young girl enters (Eli), Maud falters. She asks Eli her name but gets no answer. Instead, Eli asks where her father is because police brought him to the hospital and she misses him. Eli asks a series of questions, then leaves. Maud notices that Eli isn’t wearing shoes and rushes after her.

In Södervik, Oskar nicknames his father the Werewolf, because his father becomes someone completely different when he drinks. His dad isn’t violent, he just becomes emotional and inelegant after drinking. While Oskar sits in bed waiting for the Werewolf to arrive, he thinks about Eli and the possibility of her being a vampire.