While I never finished reading Stieg Larsson‘s best-selling Millennium trilogy, I did get around to watching the Swedish film adaptions. They were one hell of a thrill. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (aka Men Who Hate Women) is the first of the three and happens to be my favourite. As a whole, the trilogy is a great crime-drama-mystery-thriller.

I will say, even though as of right now I’ve only read about 7 chapters of the first book, I like the book better than the film. Isn’t this usually the case? But the films are exceptional in their own right, and honest adaptions that hold integrity to the original literature. I would recommend the books and/or films to anyone who hasn’t already become familiar with them.

“Rated R for disturbing violent content including rape, grisly images, sexual material, nudity and language” (IMDb)

The story deals greatly with with violence / sexual violence against women as the alter title (Men Who Hate Women) may suggest. It also depicts society through other arcs like politics, corruption, wealth, power and extremism. Even with some farfetched fictional tales, the film is no less than compelling. Even the string of themes that sometimes seems to miss fluidity manage to come together by way of some sincere cinematography and convincing acting. The character of Lisbeth in paticular is probably the most impressionable aspect of the books/films.

Starring: Noomi Rapace // Michael Nyqvist

Directed by: Niels Arden Oplev

Reviews: Crash! Landen // Rotten Tomatoes // Twitch Film // NY TImes

aparoo says 5/5

PS. still looking forward to watching the Hollywood adaptions, and maybe finally finish reading the books

PPS. don’t even read a plot summary / synopsis, just watch and/or read with an open mind and you won’t be disappointed

PPPS. i watched the trilogy twice in one week, my eyeballs are burning