Why does Abby Undress in Owen's bedroom?

[Vilhelm77]

Abby does indeed appear to be a true female. The deleted scenes reinforce this impression. What's more, Moretz' Abby appears to have been turned after she'd begun puberty, whereas at least portions of Leandersson's Eli appear to have been filmed just prior to this stage of life. What's yet even more, Abby is just plain slinkier and looser in her manner of movement (Leandersson's Eli, to be perfectly blunt, was almost wooden and lifeless).

Wondering which deleted scene you are referencing.
Is it the 'be me a little' scene? Asking because I've seen a few posts, pictures referencing a scene from Owen's bedroom in which Abby narrowly escapes getting caught in Owen's bed as the sun rises. To bad the scene it isn't included with the DVD I purchased.

I do think Abby is seeking comfort.
I was thrown by the use of the word 'special' in the context of her undressing. It gave me the impression she'd had an experience pre-dating Owen that would be unacceptable between a man and a child.

Re-watched the scene, and I could accept she's trying to be considerate. Still, what is on Abby's face that she seems unwilling, unaware of, or unable to wipe away? Then again she must be aware of it since she tells Owen not to look at her.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Appreciate the perspectives.

[DavidZahir]

I think Abby wanted some physical comfort following the death of Thomas, as in being able to feel safe.
I also think her clothes were sopping wet and ice-cold.
I believe as well she didn't want to leave blood smeared all over Owen's sheets.
And I suspect by now she has a habit of never sleeping in gore-caked clothing.

[lombano]

I think Oskar was far less foolish than Owen in the blood-sharing idea - Abby to me clearly wanted and expected a kiss, whereas Eli seemed not to expect anything in particular and to be content with whatever Oskar came up with. In both cases it's a strange thing to ask od your girlfriend, admittedly.

Who said that Eli usally wore underwear?

We see she does when Oskar drops in after fleeing his Dad.

[sauvin]

Who said that Eli usally wore underwear?

We see she does when Oskar drops in after fleeing his Dad.

We see that she wore underwear on that particular occasion, yes.

Intrige asks a valid question, though, in light of our perception that when left to her own devices, Eli doesn't pay much attention to personal hygiene. Never showers, never brushes her hair, wears unlaundered clothes salvaged from dumpsters. A creature who cannot feel the cold would probably bother with clothing only for its utility as camouflage, and from a distance at that. What's the point of being so sneaky and secretive if people are going to notice you from half a mile away because you're not wearing anything? If the clothing is just for show, and just to keep live-in Hakans from getting too many ideas, why bother with underwear, which is just an extra layer to deal with?

Maybe movie Eli started wearing it more in earnest after Oskar made some comment about her funny smell (in the novel, Oskar commented on it more than once). She cleaned up, to the point of actually smelling like soap. Maybe she thought of donning underwear as part of what Oskar expects.

In the "break my egg" scene, I still personally believe that there's some symbolism going on besides just the egg. I still claim the moviemakers are trying to show Eli in a more or less vulnerable state emotionally by having her wearing nothing but a blood red shirt and a pair of whitish panties (the blood monster surrounding and obscuring the innocent child) - contrast this with a fully dressed Oskar minus only his thick winter coat. The visual depiction of vulnerability goes hand in hand with the symbolism we perceive in Oskar's disassembling the egg puzzle - you'd pretty much have to be in such implied condition before your shell can be broken.

[intrige]

Thanks, that was what I thought.

[lombano]

I still claim the moviemakers are trying to show Eli in a more or less vulnerable state emotionally

Yes, of course. Apart from the clothes, her dfowncast gaze, the way she retreats from Oskar, etc.

[Lee Kyle]

I don't disagree with the wet and soaking idea, I'm just unclear when she got wet. She flies from the hospital (and when she leaves the 10th floor ledge, she looks dry) directly to Owen's bedroom. The snow outside his window is undisturbed, so she didn't get snow on herself there (it would seem). So when did she get wet? (Maybe this is when she made the snow angel poster?)

[sauvin]

I don't disagree with the wet and soaking idea, I'm just unclear when she got wet. She flies from the hospital (and when she leaves the 10th floor ledge, she looks dry) directly to Owen's bedroom. The snow outside his window is undisturbed, so she didn't get snow on herself there (it would seem). So when did she get wet? (Maybe this is when she made the snow angel poster?)

Vampires can fly, but very young vampires don't necessarily fly particularly WELL. Sorta like a bumblebee, only, I've never seen a bumblebee do a bellyflop in a snow bank. Abby still hasn't learned that it doesn't pay to be "slinky" mid air.

I'll just hide for a while now...

[DavidZahir]

I just assumed she got wet from the snow. And her clothes were certainly cold, with blood on them.

[[Eden]]

I've had a puzzled look on my face when Abby took Owen's hand on her face... just ON the blood stain...

How on earth he didn't realized he was touching something sticky?