by Jacob Alvarado

If you want to see a movie with murder, mystery, and an extremely smart Goth girl, than this movie is right for you. This movie is the first of the Swedish trilogy based on Stieg Larsson’s amazing books. Now the film is in Swedish so I hope you don’t mind subtitles. Another thing is that this movie is rated R and has a very violent rape scene, so watch with caution and this film is not recommended for young children.

The film begins with the lead male, a writer by the name of Mikael Blomkvist losing a viable case and being sent to jail for three months. Unbeknownst to him is that a 24 year old hacker named Lisbeth Salander has been keeping a close eye on him for many months. She is part of a security firm and has been told to watch him like a hawk.

After Mikael is released from jail, he is hired by Henrik Vanger to investigate the disappearance of his niece Harriet. The kicker is that she vanished in 1966. Henrik believes that one of his own family members is responsible for her murder and disappearance.

Lisbeth on the other hand is having trouble of her own. Because of her foul temper and suicidal tendencies she is given a guardian. Her guardian has a stroke, so she is sent to a lawyer named Bjurman, who sexually abuses her and eventually rapes her. Lisbeth is smart though. She videotapes the attack and blackmails him in order to regain her finances and terminates his guardianship over her.

After finding out that Lisbeth has been keeping tabs on him, Mikael and her team up to find out everything about the family in question. They eventually have a slight romance bloom between them. The story from then on is a race against time in classic Who-Done-It style.

These movies are the perfect rainy day companion. You will be stunned by the mastermind of Lisbeth. And the brilliant mind of Mikael. The next two movies continue this genius mystery and you will be in awe how it all pans out.

Editors note: An R rating on a Swedish movie is not the same as in U.S. The rape scene is extremely graphic and would most likely have a stronger rating in the U.S.

Jacob Alvarado is 19 years old and a contributor to our Teen Talk section, oft bringing us an inside look at local theatre due to his love of performing.