Don't Let Him In (2011)
Directed by: Kelly Smith
Written by: Chris Andrews, Kelly Smith
Starring: Gemma Harvey, Gordon Alexander, Jason Carter, Rhys Meredith, Sam Hazeldine, Sophie Linfield
Don’t Let Him In (2011)
(18) Running time: 82 minutes
Director: Kelly Smith
Writers: Kelly Smith, Chris Andrews
Starring: Sophie Linfield, Sam Hazeldine, Gordon Alexander, Gemma Harvey, Rhys Meredith
Reviewed by: Matt Wavish, official HCF critic
Don’t Let Him In is the directorial debut of Kelly Smith who has previously worked as editor on big films like In Bruges and The Queen. On the evidence of this film, he has a promising career ahead and it is clear from everything on offer that both he and writer Chris Andrews love their horror. The opening scene is testament to that, and is one of the films highlights as a semi naked girl runs through the woods, hunted and with creepy sounds inter-cutting with the opening credits. It is a smart, take notice beginning which works.
The film see’s four friends head off to that all important cabin in the woods for a weekend away, and upon arrival the local policeman (played somewhat as a bit of a joke by Jason Carter) pops his head in to say hello. Oh, and he also warns them that there is a serial killer on the loose, and it best to not go out at night. The friends then settle in to their new surroundings with Paige (Sophie Linfield) and Calvin (Rhys Meredith) the over excited couple, and Calvin’s younger sister Mandy (Gemma Harvey) bringing along her new boyfriend, the grumpy business man Tristan (Gordon Alexander). Tristan would clearly rather be somewhere else, but a silly text from an unknown saying: “things are a little hot, lie low” persuades Mr Grumpy pants to tag along. After meeting a bizarre Gypsy girl in the woods who has some less than promising news while reading Tristan’s palm, things begin to get a little weird. The group are disturbed by a knock at the door, and Shawn (Sam Hazeldine) walks into their lives after an accident with the Gypsies. The group look after him, while Mr Grumpy Tristan becomes ever more agitated about being there, and suddenly we are wondering if one of the group is indeed the killer.
The setting is perfect for this sort of film, and Smith makes the most out of his surroundings, giving them a creepy edge and a cold, lonely feel. The camera enjoys panning back to get in the rather gorgeous surroundings at times, but also works well with extreme close-ups for a more claustrophobic feel. It is clear this film is made on a small budget, so the director has chosen to go for a minimal approach to hide this fact, and it works. When there is violence, it is handled surprisingly well considering this is a first film, and some CGI maggots are used a couple of times to great effect. The script is well written and believable, and the guessing game as to who the killer really is may not be the biggest mystery ever (in fact it is plainly obvious), but the story moves along nicely without giving away too much. It will keep you guessing, and at times is quite engrossing. It is clear from the setting, script and odd bit of violence that both Smith and writer Andrews have watched a lot of horror. There are plenty of moments here which scream out that the makers love this genre, and some of the more creepy or jumpy scenes are handled very well.
However, the film is far from perfect, and while it does tick a lot of boxes, some of the most important aspects to a films enjoyment are missing. The actors do their best, with Rhys Meredith and Sam Hazeline standing out, but sadly the rest struggle and dilute a lot of the films tension. With a script so well written, it is a crime that the lines are often delivered badly, which is a real shame. There is a huge lack of music here as well, and while a number of films benefit from being almost silent, Don’t Let Him In doesn’t. In fact, it needed music desperately to just add that extra level of menace. The pace is a little slow too, and the talky scenes do not carry the film as hoped because of the poor quality in some of the acting.
However, there is good stuff here: the opening scene is terrific, and the final scene has a real sting in the tail, and in-between there are plenty of moments to shout about. What Don’t Let Him In really shows is that British horror has a new name to add to its ever growing list of quality directors and writers, and as this was both director and writers first film, they can be excused for not getting it absolutely right. On the evidence of this though, we will be hearing a lot more from Kelly Smith and Chris Andrews, and hopefully when they collaborate again we will get a very good horror indeed.
