not for kids
Graphic sexual violence in thrilling, subtitled crime drama.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this subtitled Swedish film is definitely not for kids. With graphic sexual violence, gruesome murders, torture, and pervasive coarse and sexual language, even adults might be disturbed by what they see. Expect multiple images of mutilated dead young women and numerous instances of female nudity (including breasts), as well as partial male nudity in graphic tortuous poses. The female heroine smokes continuously. Still,k despite the intense content, the movie's message of good triumphing over evil ultimately provides some relief.
- Families can talk about why filmmakers felt it necessary to be so explicit in their depictions of the crimes against Lisbeth Salander? Did it heighten your appreciation and respect for the character?
- Sometimes there's a fine line between a horror film and a thriller. Did this movie cross that line? If it was enjoyable for you, what emotions did it evoke?
- Lisbeth Sis a unique character. What is an anti-hero? What other unlikely heroes or heroines do you remember from films you've seen?
The good stuff
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Messages: Despite the intense violence perpetrated by people in power, the movie's overall message is that victims of outrageous crimes and abuse can find dignity and self-respect by developing their skills and reaching inward for courage and strength.
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Role models: An offbeat heroine demonstrates that appearances can be deceiving: She's pierced, tattooed, anti-social, and she smokes constantly, but Lisbeth also proves to be highly intelligent, creative, and skillful. She's willing to risk her life for her beliefs, as well as for the safety of those about whom she cares deeply. On the other hand, women are seen as victims as well as heroes.
What to watch for
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Violence: Several sequences graphically depict sexual assault, forced oral sex, torture, beatings, and bloody attacks. Numerous gruesome photographs of mutilated female bodies appear throughout. Characters are strangled, hung, whipped with electrical cords, drowned, and burned.
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Sex: Consensual sex and explicit sexual activity with partial nudity, both male and female (breasts). Graphic sexual dialogue.
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Language: English subtitles in translation from the Swedish include multiple use of "f--k," "motherf--ker," "bitch," "s--t," "goddamn," "whore," "c--t," "blow job," "damn," and more.
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Consumerism: Apple computers, Google, Castrol, KIA.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The lead character, a young woman, smokes cigarettes non-stop. There's also some moderate social drinking in a number of scenes.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Girl w/Dragon Tattoo AWESOME by ginsue
Having read the book, which was very detailed; I found the story line (w/few alterations) was right on. The plot built with parallel story lines, until the two merged and drove towards the climactic ending. Casting was "right on" for the book characters. Salander is believable and an enigma...Michael is professional and passionate. The book has one or two additonal storylines, but the film focused on the mystery of the 40 yr old disappearance of an industrial heiress. Only drawback was the English subtitles sometimes were difficult to read over the light background of some themes.
The cinematography is raw and of uber mature audience themes, including violence and sex...this film IS NOT for children or pre-teens. The shots of Sweden's countryside are beautiful.
The 2 1/2 hr movie goes by quickly with the amount of detail from each scene building to the movie's climax. Do not leave the theater, unless you have read the book, otherwise you will miss important details.AAA+
5
WELL WOVEN TALE by helbrit
From the first close up of the string on the wrapped picture frame in the beginning of the movie I knew it was going to be a well shot and edited film. As it progressed I also knew the acting was going to be above par. This is a well woven tale that keeps it's realism by never going over the top. Lisbeth doesn't use superhuman kung fu to thwart off her attackers (thugs) in the subway station and she doesn't resort to mindless revenge for her law guardian, instead a well conceived plan. Even the bad guy performance isn't your typical crazed lunatic serial killer , but a person more (subtle) sick and twisted from his upbringing who believes what he does is OK. There really isn't much predictability in this movie either. When you think Lisbeth will light up the killer with a match near the end as she did her Father she doesn't. Instead she opts not to help save him. Noomi Rapace is dynamite as the dark, smart, sleek Lisbeth and Michael Nyqvist is A+ as the relentless to the end reporter
5
The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by jpl29
This is one of the most enthralling crime and passion storiesof all time. It contains three simultaneous mysteries. Each one would deserve a movie of its own. This is the first of a famous trilogy by a Swedish author, Steig Larsson, who died in 2004. This is the first of the trilogy. I can't wait for the others, that is, if they are made.
It flows so smoothly. I was shocked to leave the theater and see what time it was.
A viewer of dark, foreboding Mystery, in a different culture, a ferocious female character and a dramatic finale, will love this movie.
Five Stars
4
Stieg Larsson Would Be Proud by KalelFan
Salander is a character that you either love to love or love to loathe. Readers of the trilogy will be proud of the acting of Noomi Rapace is just as expected playing the intelligent yet self-reliant Lisbeth. Blomkvist, played by Michael Nyqvist, although well-carried, does not display the vision of him that the reader sees. For the first time in a very long time, the reader will not leave the film in an uproar because of the great screenplay that was written. It was actually easier to get into the film that it was the first 90 pages of the book. All three films of the trilogy were created in the same year, for you Americans who believe great movies are only made in Hollywood. A television show in Sweden was also created called "Millenium." It is unfortunate that Hollywood will take over the trilogy as they should cast the rightful Salander as depicted by Rapace. Readers will not be disappointed and this film will NEVER be for children.
4
Five Word Review by DaveyB1978
Interesting Change Unneccassry Graphic Detail
4
Rough theme, follows book by jsouth00
This movie covers some very tough topics: rape, sodomy, murder, abuse in many forms. It is pretty consistent with the book, although it doesn't cover some of the love interests or the difficulties of the Millenium magazine. Those who haven't read the book might find some of the movie difficult to follow.
This is not a "happy" movie but was well done.
4
A good mystery/thriller with strong characters by ottoheckle
This is the best murder mystery/thriller I've seen since State of Play. Noomi Rapace is haunting as the Sybil like computer hacker Lisbeth Salander who comes together with Mikael Blomkvist (Mikael Nyqvist) to try and solve the disappearance of Harriet Langer more than fourty years ago.Lisbeth is troubled and mercurial but a genius while Blomkvist is up and optimistic even after being falsely convicted of libel. Blomqvist is also a genius sleuth himself.These two characters couldn't be more unlike , but they work together like yin and yang.Whether Lisbeth's vengeance is justified one has to decide for themselves , I believe you reap what you sow. The movie is kind of long , but it takes that much time to untie all the knots.If you like a good detective story with strong characters you'll like this movie.The scenes in Dragon Tattoo are sometimes troubling and disturbing but never contrived , and the story unfolds layer after layer. This one gets a thumbs-up.
4
Faithful to the book by RandytheMovieFan
If you liked the book, you should be satisfied with this movie. A few of the alterations were understandable, while others were unneeded or just puzzling. One minor disappointment to me was the absence of the scene of Isabella fainting. If you didn't read the book, you may be overwhelmed by the complications of the plot, names, dates, etc., but you'll still find yourself immersed in a gripping thriller with interesting and complicated characters. This is definitely not for younger viewers as there are some realistic scenes of sexual violence and torture.
5
Excellent! by dswede
Hands down one of the best movies I've ever seen, and one of the few where the leading character is even more interesting than the plot. I'm Swedish by heritage and saw the whole trilogy back home during last summer, and I can not WAIt for you guys to show the other two movies, which are in my opinion even better than this first one.
Thank you,
Daniela
5
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stanleyib
Excellent story line and great acting. Remembrances of Silence of The Lambs and Diva. A bit long so reading all the subtitles are a challenge. Great ending and a lot of shocking nuances....Not for the squeamish.....