With looks reminiscent of Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands
and a dark intensity that screams of a troubled past, Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), the girl of the title, goes about her business of hacking into computers as she investigates her subject Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist).

Mikael, a journalist for a liberal magazine, has been falsely accused and sentenced to prison for libel. As he awaits the beginning of his sentence, he is hired by a billionaire to discover what happened to his 16 year old niece who disappeared forty years ago from the family state.

As was the case in many Agatha Christie mysteries, the suspects, here, are exclusively the close family. But the clues are old, and few and Mikael doesn’t know what to make of them. Until Lisbeth hacks into his computer and leaves him a hint.

Together now, they investigate the girl’s life and discover a trail of unsolved murders they suspect are related to her disappearance.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo does not shy from showing the scenes of rape and violence in all its graphic intensity, but the events are never gratuitous and the movie presents them in a context that is unapologetically feminist. In fact, the Swedish title for this movie is Men Who Hate Women.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a well paced thriller and the stark beauty of the Swedish winter provides a perfectly chilling setting for the story. But it’s the haunting performance of Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth that transcends the movie, leaving you wanting for more.

Luckily the next installment on the late Stieg Larson’s Millennium trilogy is already in theaters. Don’t miss it.

Click here to see the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlF-hk3IJQE