Common Themes
Adult Relationships
‘Mysterious Skin’ is comparable to Tomas Alfredson’s ‘Let the Right One in’ on many thematic levels. Firstly, both films explore the theme of adult relationships. In ‘Mysterious Skin’, both Brian and Neil are subject to a sexual adult relationship without their consent. Both boys are lured into a relationship by a predator and are both too young to understand the magnitude of the situation. Neil is gradually seduced while Brian’s molestation is only somewhat revealed to the viewer to convey a sense of the unreal. However, in both cases, the boys must experience a relationship way beyond their years and cope with the subsequent consequences such as intimacy issues, low self-respect and a false outlook on human relationships. In Alfredson’s ‘Let the Right One in’ both Oskar and Eli, a young boy and an immortal female vampire, begin an adult relationship. Although both parties look like children, in reality Eli has survived for hundreds of years, nourished by human blood. Therefore her wisdom and maturity surpass Oskar’s’ tenfold. Furthermore, the secrecy required to maintain their relationship requires the perseverance and dedication of an adult.
Both examples of adult relationships discussed above differ in many ways however share one common thread, they involve children. An equation which contains adults, children and love with sexual connotations does not prove itself to be an ideal situation. In ‘Mysterious Skin’ the outcome of the imposed adult relationship is traumatic for both Brian and Neil and forces both boys to grow up in an irregular manner, constantly juggling the afflictions of their childhood. In ‘Let the Right One in’, Oskar too must mature and step outside his comfort zone to handle Eli’s special needs and accept her advice concerning bullies at his school.
Alienation
Another common theme found in both films is that of alienation. Both Brian and Neil from ‘Mysterious Skin’ are alienated not simply physically, but mentally as well. Brian is distant from his family due to the rigidness of his family’s ideals. He is a loner amongst society and only finds companionship with two individuals in the entire film. One is a delusional and physically disabled girl from the countryside who prompts Brian’s belief in aliens. The other is a gay teen who is seemingly rejected by many due to his extravagant personality and physical appearance. Neil on the other hand alienates himself. He only felt love and affection when he was in the presence of his coach. As he grew, he never again experienced the same connection nor received the same attention from any another being. He also rejects his hometown community and judges the stagnant lives of its citizens. Consequently he shuts down his emotions and his entire mental consciousness in attempts to live a pain free existence. Similarly in ‘Let the Right One in’ Eli and Oskar are both portrayed as alienated and as outcasts. Besides for his interaction with Eli, he is portrayed as being constantly alone. Oskar has an immense fixation on death and violence that perhaps stems from his intense loneliness. Eli on the other hand is forcibly alienated due to the fact that she is perceived as a menace to society. She is feared just as much as she is elusive yet surprisingly finds companionship with Oskar. With him, she is forced to contain her urges to suck his blood in order to keep him alive, but to keep her sole friend in the universe. Both pairs of unsuspecting companions, Neil and Brian as well as Oskar and Eli bond over the alienation and hardships.
Parental Abandonment
Both films share a theme of parental abandonment. In ‘Mysterious Skin’ Neil’s mother, while being an excellent companion for him, is not a supportive and authoritative mother. She allowed for abuse to be done unto her son because she was firstly, unaware of the fact and secondly, could not find other suitable arrangements for her son while she was busy. The fact that she raised no suspicion whatsoever allows the viewers to question her ability as a mother. Furthermore she did not question her son’s whereabouts as a teenager. While he was off prostituting himself and putting his wellbeing in serious danger his mother did not intervene nor was she aware of the brutality her son was enduring. Brian’s mother was more maternal than Neil’s however being a very rigid and closed off, she neglected to discuss sexuality with her son. Perhaps this is why Brian’s reaction to sexual abuse was unfathomable. Brian’s father was a perpetrator in the eyes of Brian and was looked upon as his abuser for many years. Therefore a bond between father and son was never achieved.
In ‘Let the Right One in’, Oskar’s parents were very absent. While he lived with his mother, his father lived in the countryside and Oskar spent a limited amount of time with his father. His mother too, got very little screen-time and was portrayed as a hardworking breadwinner. However her absence allowed for Oskar to cultivate his relationship with Eli without any parental suspicions or contestations. Comparatively, Eli had no parental figures in her life. Some may argue that the old man with whom she lived could be seen as a father figure for he risked his freedom, values and eventually life to sustain her. Others however may see him as her adorer. The fact that he risked so much to be with her may be out of pure love and not the affection of a father. Consequently this may be argued to be another instance of an adult relationship.
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