In a world dominated by angst-ridden, sparkling vampires, it seems surprising that two preteens would stand out in a positive way. However, with “Let Me In,” Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road) do just that.

Adapted for mainstream American audiences from the Swedish film “Let the Right One In,” “Let Me In” follows the story of 12-year-old Owen (Smit-McPhee) and the little girl who moves in next door named Abby (Moretz), who proves that appearances can in fact be deceiving.

The film manages to capture the haunting themes of the original film and the novel, thanks to the adept writing and cinematography of director and writer Matt Reeves (Cloverfield). The tone glides effortlessly from the kids’ endearing and sweet friendship to suspenseful, frightening moments, without giving viewers emotional whiplash.

The acting on the parts of Moretz and Smit-McPhee is laudable. The pair’s friendship will simultaneously warm hearts and keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

While the story strays from the original in a few places, these changes do not take away from the plot—in fact, they make it easier to follow for those who might have had a hard time understanding the original. Only those who have read the book, or paid special attention to the Swedish original, will notice a major difference between Abby and the vampire Eli from “Let the Right One In.”

“Let Me In” is more openly violent than its Swedish counterpart, but the violence is still significantly less prominent than in many horror films.

Overall, the film is the rare exception of an American remake that neither copies exactly nor insults the original film. Although “Let Me In” came out only two years after “Let the Right One In,” the movie feels neither rushed nor unnecessary. While foreign film purists may tout the superiority of the Swedish original, it’s likely that a broader range of Americans will enjoy “Let Me In.”