MovieChat Forums > Låt den rätte komma in (2008) Discussion > Thoughts on Let The Old Dreams Die?

Thoughts on Let The Old Dreams Die?

posted 9 years ago by Old_Man_From_Scene_24
5 replies | jump to latest

So, obvious post-epilogue spoilers (marked).

For those of you who have read Lindqvist's short story collection, what did you think of the epilogue to Let The Right One In? I personally feel that it was handled exceptionally well, and applaud one little detail that I feel others may have missed - the idea that Oskar has overcome his weight-lifting limitations was a nice touch. For me it highlighted the growth he has undergone, even as a vampire and it showed us that his experiences changed him in a not insignificant way.

I first read the book, and then watched the film, at 14. Back in 2009 (Christ, I can't believe it was so long ago now). And it was the most tender, heart-wrenching and beautiful romance I have ever seen. I've since come to watch a lot of anime, but LTROI is the only 'real' representation of romance I've seen that matches things like Mirai Nikki, Elfen Lied and The Flowers of Evil. So, I was over the bloody moon when I found out that Oskar has decided to become like Eli. The idea that he'll have to murder aside, they're together forever. And I think that's as close to a happy ending as any we could ever have hoped for.

What does everybody else think?

"All these squares make a circle."

[–] Morbius_Fitzgerald 9 years ago

I agree. The short story collection was all really great but that was just a really great ending to the book.

[–] VermithraxPejorative 8 years ago

I think it would have been best to leave the matter open ended.

[–] dongregg-953-168798 8 years ago

That aside, I think the short story, "Let the Old Dreams Die," is the best thing of Lindqvist's that I've read. Parts of the novel rise to a high level, but those parts don't exceed the craftsmanship of LTODD.

I know many fans see the ambiguity of the "open" ending as a plus. I have no problem with it being open to interpretation. But two things: one, what's open is just whether they stay together and so forth, not whether Oskar becomes her servant; and two, was this the way JAL wanted it to end? Either Alfredson chose to end it this way, or for unknown reasons the parts that would have made LTODD unnecessary got cut.

Doesn't matter now because LTODD closed enough doors and windows to remove the ambiguity. It may not even be ambiguity, just open to interpretation because unclear.

[–] treejam555 8 years ago

I loved it. Oskar and Eli deserve every happiness.

[–] drakkar 8 years ago

I think it is a wonderful story, simple yet complex. It feels like a novel even though it's just thirty some pages. I like that JAL goes a bit further on the autobiographical track, and I also like that he lifts the story out of Blackeberg.

After reading LTROI, the fate of Eli and Oskar suggested by LTODD was the best and also the happiest, Alternative endings like Oskar freezing to death or going back to his mom seems totally off to me.

For the heart life is simple. It beats as long as it can.