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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

  • 2011
  • R
  • 2h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
514K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
438
216
Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Craig) is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander (Mara), a young computer hacker.
Play trailer3:40
11 Videos
99+ Photos
Psychological DramaPsychological ThrillerSerial KillerWhodunnitCrimeDramaMysteryThriller

Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years by hacker Lisbeth Salander.Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years by hacker Lisbeth Salander.Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years by hacker Lisbeth Salander.

  • Director
    • David Fincher
  • Writers
    • Steven Zaillian
    • Stieg Larsson
  • Stars
    • Daniel Craig
    • Rooney Mara
    • Christopher Plummer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    514K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    438
    216
    • Director
      • David Fincher
    • Writers
      • Steven Zaillian
      • Stieg Larsson
    • Stars
      • Daniel Craig
      • Rooney Mara
      • Christopher Plummer
    • 881User reviews
    • 539Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 26 wins & 91 nominations total

    Videos11

    Trailer #2
    Trailer 3:40
    Trailer #2
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 1:42
    Trailer #1
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 1:42
    Trailer #1
    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
    Clip 0:42
    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
    The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: Visit Armansky (Uk)
    Clip 0:52
    The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: Visit Armansky (Uk)
    The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: The Big Picture (Uk)
    Clip 4:38
    The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: The Big Picture (Uk)
    The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: Framed Flowers (Uk)
    Clip 0:44
    The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: Framed Flowers (Uk)

    Photos440

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    Top cast98

    Edit
    Daniel Craig
    Daniel Craig
    • Mikael Blomkvist
    Rooney Mara
    Rooney Mara
    • Lisbeth Salander
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Henrik Vanger
    Stellan Skarsgård
    Stellan Skarsgård
    • Martin Vanger
    Steven Berkoff
    Steven Berkoff
    • Frode
    Robin Wright
    Robin Wright
    • Erika Berger
    Yorick van Wageningen
    Yorick van Wageningen
    • Bjurman
    Joely Richardson
    Joely Richardson
    • Anita Vanger
    Geraldine James
    Geraldine James
    • Cecilia
    Goran Visnjic
    Goran Visnjic
    • Armansky
    Donald Sumpter
    Donald Sumpter
    • Detective Morell
    Ulf Friberg
    Ulf Friberg
    • Wennerström
    Bengt C.W. Carlsson
    • Palmgren
    Tony Way
    Tony Way
    • Plague
    Per Myrberg
    Per Myrberg
    • Harald
    Josefin Asplund
    Josefin Asplund
    • Pernilla
    Eva Fritjofson
    • Anna
    Moa Garpendal
    • Harriet
    • Director
      • David Fincher
    • Writers
      • Steven Zaillian
      • Stieg Larsson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews881

    7.8513.9K
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    Featured reviews

    7daoldiges

    Let's Focus on the Film at Hand

    Unlike seemingly almost every reviewer here, I did not read the book nor did I see the original filmed version of this story. Even if I had, I still prefer, as always, to view/review this film as a unique, individual work of art and not compare it to other works of art.

    So, to that end I found this film to be heavy on style and a bit light on substance. The score was solid and very effective. On the other hand, Rooney's character Lisbeth was for me not really a fully developed character. I bit more back story on her could have gone a long way I think to transforming her from a one dimensional person with lots of tattoos and piercings into a someone the viewer could take a greater interest in. Craig is fine and completely adequate. Despite some shortcomings i do think there is enough here to check out for those curious who have still not seen it.
    8TheLittleSongbird

    A second adaptation of the book that is almost as good as the first

    Not quite in the top 5 of David Fincher's best films ('Se7en', 'The Social Network', 'Fight Club', 'Gone Girl' and 'Zodiac') but it does come close. And this is somebody who found a lot to like about all his films, including his lesser ones like 'Alien 3' and 'Panic Room'.

    Despite being often considered a remake, personally prefer to call it a second adaptation of the book. The book is a fantastic read, and as an adaptation while it is condensed and has some changes Fincher's film still adheres to the basic tone of the book as does the Swedish version. Of the two versions, the Swedish version just gets the edge for its incredible atmosphere complete with bleakness, chills, shocks and is more authentic, with Noomi Rapace burning the screen enigmatically with her presence.

    Where Fincher's film improves over the previous version are in four areas. One is the production values, which are far more audacious here. The cinematography, both bleakly moody and exquisite to look at, is more cinematic and perfectly captures the frozen landscape which is like a character in itself. The film is very tightly edited too in a way that is distinctively Fincher. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' music score is another winner of theirs, it is haunting and gives a really unnerving vibe, combined with some clever sound mixing. The script, even when condensed, is more polished and tighter and also has more flow. While Lisbeth is a fascinating and complex character in the Swedish film, the Lisbeth in Fincher's film has even more complexity and more variation of emotions.

    Fincher's direction is exemplary, showing a mastery of visual style and mood setting, ensuring that the film stays intriguing throughout the length. In lesser hands and with less assured pacing, with the long running time 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' could have been a long haul but had plenty of intrigue. Much of the storytelling is gripping, and while not as authentic or quite as masterful in atmosphere like the Swedish counterpart was it has its fair share of chills, twists and turns (without being convoluted or illogical) and shock value as well as a murky bleakness. Contrary to what some believe, this second adaptation did have point (was fearing it wouldn't), as it made the story more accessible and gave it more exposure.

    Good acting helps. Daniel Craig is very wisely restrained, the character should have a quiet determination and dignity which Craig handles very well. Christopher Plummer is simply terrific as well, one of his best performances in recent years, while Stellan Skasgard is frighteningly demented and Yorick van Wageningen is unsettlingly sadistic. Robin Wright does her best with a shallow character. Best of all is a magnificent Rooney Mara, such a multi-layered performance and sees Mara not just playing the role but disappearing into it. See her appearance for example, so committed that when you see her in other films you would not believe that it's the same person.

    There are faults however. Did not think much of the Gothic James Bond-like opening sequence that just felt jarring and out of place. Nor with the accents, which were a mix for some of the actors of having one too heavy or thick (Wright) or not attempting one at all (Craig). The decision to use both English and Swedish in some scenes did have a tendency to confuse, while the central relationship (mostly successfully done) did feel underdeveloped and, even for characters that are the heart of the story, takes over the story a little too much somewhat.

    All in all, almost as good as the Swedish version and better than both of that film's heavily flawed but still worthy sequels. 8/10 Bethany Cox
    hyprsleepy

    Quick Comparison of both versions - both excellent in their own right

    Here is a rundown of the differences in the two movies:

    -MIKAEL BLOMKVIST-

    American - Blomkvist is played as more of a tough guy and not a good guy. His flaws are laid bare and he shows himself to be much more detached than emotional.

    Swedish - This is the "good guy" side of Mikael. He is sensitive, caring, and smart. He shows a protective side when it comes to Lisbeth. Physically speaking the Swedish Blomkvist doesn't look as sturdy as his American counterpart. He has a gut and appears to be quite a bit older than Lisbeth which can make the relationship between them more shudder inducing and probably accounts for why there are fewer sex scenes between them in the Swedish version.

    -LISBETH SALANDER-

    American - Perhaps because Blomkvist was made into such a strong character Lisbeth was then morphed into a more withdrawn and vulnerable girl so as to complement the new Blomkvist. She still has attitude, aggression, and rage but she also exhibits a quiet shy side that was not in the original as well as more of a romantic side.

    Swedish - In this version Lisbeth is not shy, not gentle, and not nice. She doesn't chase Blomkvist - he chases her. She perfectly embodies everything you think of when you think of a strong female lead and has an unpredictability and edge to her that is exciting to watch. Her dragon tattoo is much, much better.

    -OVERALL-

    I liked the American Mikael and the Swedish Lisbeth.

    While I may prefer a scene or two from the Swedish version, such as the ending, overall I enjoyed the American version more.

    On the flip side, I can understand why some may hate this version because Lisbeth was their favorite character and she's been changed into something they don't like. For me, the modifications to Lisbeth's character weren't severe enough to put me off.

    The Swedish version captured a cult following for a reason and I would recommend both to anyone who has an interest in darker gritty movies that have a raw intensity to them. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo isn't for the faint of heart and that's what I love about it!
    8jlars777

    Despite claims to the contrary, a necessary re-interpretation of the story

    After the announcement that The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was getting an English-language film treatment, I decided that the hype had built up to a point where I just had to read the source material for myself. Though it is not without flaws, Dragon Tattoo is an excellent story with the important mission of raising awareness concerning violence against women. Mere days after finishing the book I watched the Swedish film. The hype train had me excited for an outstanding thriller.

    The hype train let me down.

    I was left cold and somewhat irritated by the Swedish adaptation. A ton of important plot elements were left out, some were inexplicably added (Blomkvist's memories of the island became far too important and contrived), and Rapace felt all wrong as Lisbeth. She was brilliant and violent, but lacked the quiet pensiveness of the original character. She did not come off as autistic and emotionally disturbed, just bratty and rude. Worst of all, I was constantly confused by the extremely rushed, strange new take on the story.

    As a lover of foreign films, I normally grind my teeth when I hear that America is developing a remake. However, I found myself desperate for this one. I needed a movie that actually gave me the experience of reading the book for the first time, that made me care for Lisbeth and that truly disturbed me. Thankfully, the American adaptation (not a remake) delivered exactly what I was looking for. Those who say this version is unnecessary or a rehash must have seen a very different Swedish Girl with the Dragon Tattoo than I saw. The American take is jam-packed with scenes that were either skimmed or completely left out of the Swedish version. Yet, despite being more robust, the English- language Dragon Tattoo is incredibly paced, feeling less rushed yet hitting all the important plot points. The characters have time to develop and grow on you, the clue-finding makes more sense, and the killer is more horrifying. Screenwriter Zaillian knows exactly what to leave out and what to change (though the ending, which mirrors the book's ending, could have been arranged better). Craig, Mara, and even Plummer are spot-on in their roles and feel more fleshed-out as characters. Mara, in particular, inhabits Larsson's Lisbeth in a way Rapace did not. She captures Lisbeth's silent, borderline-autistic nature perfectly. Her fragile body and alien appearance even match the book's description. She allows herself to be vulnerable, but clearly regrets it over time. It's a captivating performance.

    If someone were to ask me, personally, which version to see, I would have to say without hesitation that this is the rare occasion where the American adaptation is superior. I did not think it was possible to stay so true to the story under three hours.
    7ferguson-6

    Comes forth with the Thaw

    Greetings again from the darkness. The character of Lisbeth Salander absolutely fascinates me. That's true whether we are discussing Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy novels, the Swedish film versions, or this latest film version from director David Fincher and a screenplay from Steve Zaillian. It's also true whether Lisbeth is played on screen by Noomi Rapace (Swedish films) or Rooney Mara. She is a brilliant character hiding in plain sight from a world that has fiercely mistreated her, and now misjudges and underestimates her. She is the oddest heroine I can recall ... and I can't get enough of her.

    Let's start with the source material. Stieg Larsson's books are far from perfect, but addictive just the same. The first book (on which this film is based) is, at its core, a simple who-dunnit presented in a manner that is claustrophobic, paranoid and eerie. Moving on to this particular film, we find the director and screenplay holding the basic tone while making a few changes ... some minor, others more substantial. These changes may irk those fans who are a bit more loyal to the books, but Fincher surely wanted to offer more than a simple re-telling of the story.

    Daniel Craig plays Mikael Blomkvist, the journalist hired to solve the 40 year old mystery of the disappearance/murder of Harriet Vanger, niece to Swedish millionaire Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer). To research, Blomkvist must dig into the Vanger's rotten family tree of Nazis, anti-Semites, sexual predators, anti-social fanatics, and a few just plain loony birds. You can imagine how excited this rich and once powerful family is to have someone uncovering long buried secrets. Circumstances allow for Lisbeth to assist Blomkvist in researching this.

    Unlike many mysteries where assembling the clues is the most fun, the real heart of this story is the odd, somewhat uncomfortable developing relationship between Blomkvist and Lisbeth. This latest version allows this to develop relatively smoothly, but it nonetheless rattles our senses. We see the subtle changes in Lisbeth as she slowly opens up to the idea of a real friendship based on trust. Fear not mystery fans, the Vanger clan still provides more than enough juice to keep any film sleuth happy.

    It's truly impossible to avoid comparisons between the two movie versions and the respective casts. It's quite obvious Mr. Fincher was working with a substantially greater budget than Niels Arden Opler had for the first Swedish film. While they are both enthralling, I actually lean a bit towards the rawer original. That takes nothing away from this latest version. Same with Noomi Rapace vs. Rooney Mara. Ms. Mara is excellent in her performance and I was fully satisfied, but Ms. Rapace brought a rougher edge to the role ... one that made it even tougher to crack that shell. The biggest difference in the casts is Daniel Craig against Michael Nyqvist. Mr. Craig is just a bit too cool for the role, while Nyqvist captured the insecurity and vulnerability that Larsson wrote about.

    All of that is nit-picking. Both film versions are sterling entertainment and hopefully the Fincher version will bring the story to a much wider audience. I would encourage those that are interested to check out the Swedish version, as well as the Larsson books. Maybe that will explain my fascination with this creature known as Lisbeth Salander.

    Who Was Almost 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'?

    Who Was Almost 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'?

    Lisbeth Salander has been played by three different actresses, including Clarie Foy in the newest version of the film The Girl in the Spider's Web. Who else was up for the role?
    Find out
    Editorial Image
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While filming a scene in a diner, the cast and crew were surprised to find out that Ellen Nyqvist, daughter of Michael Nyqvist, the first actor to play Mikael Blomkvist, was working there as a waitress while attending school. Upon finding out, they wrote in a few extra lines for her, allowing her to interact with her father's successor, Daniel Craig.
    • Goofs
      Sweden had left side driving until 3rd September 1967. The cars/drivers on the bridge in "1966" seem to have adopted right hand side driving about a year early.
    • Quotes

      Martin Vanger: It's hard to believe that the fear of offending can be stronger than the fear of pain, but you know what? It is.

    • Crazy credits
      At the beginning of the film's opening studio intros of Columbia and MGM, Leo, the MGM mascot's roar is silenced.
    • Connections
      Featured in Breakfast: Episode dated 13 June 2011 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Immigrant Song
      Written by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant

      Featuring Karen O and Trent Reznor

      Produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

      Karen O appears courtesy of Polydor Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited

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    FAQ34

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 21, 2011 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Sweden
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Twitter
    • Languages
      • English
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • La chica del dragón tatuado
    • Filming locations
      • Hofsta Manor, Björkvik, Södermanlands län, Sweden(Vanger's estate)
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • Scott Rudin Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $90,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $102,515,793
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,768,604
      • Dec 25, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $232,617,430
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Datasat
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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