The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)

Sharkey calls the film a mesmerizing, satisfying thriller that successfully adapts the novel despite substantial changes. She especially praises Noomi Rapace’s unforgettable performance as Lisbeth Salander.

Robinson praises the film as a disturbing, emotionally effective adaptation that would be difficult to improve upon. She singles out Noomi Rapace’s fierce, vulnerable performance, while noting that some scenes veer into grotesquerie.

The critic finds the adaptation compelling and emotionally powerful despite some familiar whodunit conventions. Noomi Rapace’s performance is singled out for praise, bringing Lisbeth’s anger and complexity vividly to life.

The review finds the thriller satisfying and strongly recommends it as the start of a franchise. It especially praises Noomi Rapace’s intense, resourceful portrayal of Lisbeth Salander.

The critic calls it a dark-hearted, twist-filled adaptation that stays faithful to the source novel. They praise its preservation of the book’s bleak, murky atmosphere.

The review is positive, awarding the film four out of five stars. Its visible description singles out an actor’s emergence as a major talent, though the article text is unavailable.

Philip French finds the adaptation successful and first-rate, preserving the novel’s distinctive Scandinavian details. He praises the appealing lead performances and Eric Kress’s photography, though he finds the eventual payoff commonplace.

The critic finds the film a disappointment as a thriller, though it works as a more-than-workmanlike whodunit. Noomi Rapace’s mesmerizing, contradictory performance as Lisbeth Salander is singled out for praise.

Gonzalez dismisses the film as lurid, sensationalist trash. He faults its reliance on familiar visual tricks and escalating soap-operatic twists.

Kermode calls the film a compelling, bold, distinctive work of cinema. She praises its atmospheric visual style and the compelling performance by Noomi Rapace, while highlighting its forceful examination of misogyny.

The review calls the film an exhilarating ride with clear appeal beyond the books’ existing fans. It praises the film’s pacing, gripping narrative and intelligent construction despite its lengthy runtime.

The review finds the adaptation refreshing despite some lingering detective-film clichés. It praises its exposure of social misogyny and racism, while criticizing its depictions of violence against women.

The critic finds it engaging but overlong and overly conventional, with serious plot holes. He praises the dynamic between the leads, especially Noomi Rapace’s portrayal of Lisbeth.

The critic finds the film flawed and overlong, but engaging enough to sustain interest in the trilogy. The performances and chemistry of the leads, alongside the characters’ compelling portrayal, are singled out for praise.