The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)

Director:
Niels Arden Oplev
Starring:
Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Sven-Bertil Taube, Peter Haber, Peter Andersson, Marika Lagercrantz, Ingvar Hirdwall, Björn Granath, Ewa Fröling, Stefan Sauk, Gunnel Lindblom, Lena Endre
Genre:
Nordic Noir / Thriller
Rating:
Sparks fly when Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander meet.

Journalist Mikael Blomkvist has just been convicted of libeling Hans-Erik Wennerström. Mikael is sentenced to three months in prison and ordered to pay heavy damages to the man in question.

The wealthy Henrik Vanger, formerly a major industrial leader, gives Mikael an unusual, well-paid assignment to investigate the disappearance of a young relative forty years ago. Lisbeth Salander is a young woman who has endured much misery in life. Consequently, she has created her own set of rules to live by and has locked away her emotions for protection. Lisbeth is an outstanding researcher and hacker.

When Mikael's and Lisbeth's paths cross and they begin investigating the Vanger family's past together—well, sparks fly both personally and professionally!

A thrilling, well-made film with superb performances by Noomi Rapace and Mikael Nyqvist. What a fantastic pair! Excellent casting throughout; Peter Andersson and Sven-Bertil Taube are not to be forgotten!

Reviewed by Iva (February 2009)
Editor's Note (2026): It is difficult today to imagine anyone other than Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander. Iva’s review perfectly captures the immediate energy felt as Millennium fever swept the globe, setting a new gold standard for Swedish thriller exports.

The Iva Bring-Johansson Collection Project

Originally produced as a weekly segment for HIT FM Stockholm, these reviews represent a lifetime of cinematic insight. Today, the archive is an evolving digital project, meticulously translating Iva’s original 1979–2021 work into English.

Our mission is to preserve this legacy while expanding our focus on Nordic Noir and Scandinavian Cinema. Stay tuned as we expand our reach into the shadows of the North.