The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist investigates the disappearance of a weary patriarch's niece from 40 years ago. He is aided by the pierced, tattooed, punk computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander. As they work together in the investigation, Blomkvist and Salander uncover immense corruption beyond anything they have ever imagined.
Details
Budget
$90,000,000
Rating
7/10 (7086 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Scott Rudin Productions, Yellow Bird
About The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The 2011 film "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" adapts Stieg Larsson's novel, bringing its mystery and thriller elements to the screen. The story centers on Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist whose career is in disrepute, as he takes on an investigation into a decades-old disappearance. He partners with Lisbeth Salander, a hacker with a troubled past, and their joint effort uncovers a web of corruption. The film, directed by David Fincher, maintains a tone consistent with its source material, delving into themes of crime and investigation within a cold Scandinavian setting.
The narrative unfolds over a runtime of 158 minutes, allowing for the development of both the central mystery and the complex characters involved. The film's critical reception is reflected in its strong ratings across platforms like Rotten Tomatoes (86%), Metacritic (71/100), and IMDb (7.8/10), suggesting an appreciation for its adaptation of the novel's dark themes and intricate plot.
The film's exploration of serious subjects such as abuse, serial killers, and personal trauma is woven into its mystery framework. Keywords like "rape," "hacker," and "investigation" indicate the challenging content it covers. The dynamic between Blomkvist and Salander is central to the story, with Salander's punk aesthetic and hacking skills defining much of her character.
Why you might be searching for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
People often search for this film due to its memorable title, the iconic character of Lisbeth Salander with her distinctive tattoos and hacking abilities, and its connection to the popular book series. The movie's dark, intricate mystery and its unflinching portrayal of serious themes also contribute to its searchability, along with its status as a remake of a Swedish film adaptation.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer noted that while the book was excellent, this film adaptation largely does it justice, despite a slow start in the first half-hour before the pace picks up with the introduction of the Vanger family.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" on Netflix, Apple TV, Netflix Standard with Ads, and Apple TV Amazon Channel. It's also available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. Additionally, you can purchase the DVD or Blu-ray from retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble [justwatch.com](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo).
No, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is not based on a true story. It is a 2011 neo-noir mystery thriller film directed by David Fincher, adapted from the 2005 novel of the same name by Stieg Larsson [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Girl_with_the_Dragon_Tattoo_(2011_film)).
At the end of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander discover that Harriet Vanger is alive and in hiding in London. Harriet reveals she drowned her abusive father, Gottfried, at 14, and after witnessing this, her brother Martin continued to abuse her. Her cousin Anita helped her escape and assume Anita's identity. Henrik Vanger receives the long-awaited evidence against Wennerström from Blomkvist, but it is outdated. Salander, having hacked Wennerström's accounts, provides Blomkvist with current evidence of money laundering, which he publishes, ruining Wennerström. Salander then steals two billion euros from Wennerström's secret accounts. Wennerström is later murdered. The film concludes with Salander seeing Blomkvist with his lover, Erika Berger, and discarding a Christmas gift she intended to give him, riding away on her motorcycle [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Girl_with_the_Dragon_Tattoo_(2011_film)).
Yes, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" received widespread critical acclaim, with an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which calls it "Brutal yet captivating." Critics and audiences praised the cast, tone, score, and cinematography, with Rooney Mara's performance as Lisbeth Salander often highlighted [rottentomatoes.com](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_girl_with_the_dragon_tattoo).