New addition to the franchise lives up to expectations
Officially titled The Girl in the Spider’s Web: A New Dragon Tattoo Story, this newest film gives the characters from Stieg Larsson’s novels new life with new and disturbing problems.
First off is the “girl” herself. After originally appearing on the big screen courtesy of Noomi Rapace, and later in an American adaptation with Rooney Mara, the character of Lisbeth Salander has a new interpreter. Claire Foy, who appears to be having a bit of a moment with The Crown and First Man, inhabits the inked-up super-hacker vigilante and overall badass with aplomb. Her slight frame and screw-you attitude fits the character to a tee.
In this newest story, we get an “evil twin,” but unlike old tv shows such as Bewitched and I Dream of Jeanie, here the shadow side is Nordic blonde and much more sinister. Sylvia Hoeks plays Camilla Salander, sister to Lisbeth and a part of a seedy and tragic backstory that has devastated both of their lives. It is this unresolved tension that sets the story in motion and finishes it off as well.
Then there’s the boys of the story. While Mikael Blomkvist was pivotal to the original trilogy, here he’s more of a supporting character but a good one. There’s no Daniel Craig present, but Sverrir Gudnason holds his own. The new male lead comes from across the pond, as Lakeith Stanfield’s Edwin Needham heads to Sweden as a cyber-sleuth and a walking weapon. He’s a welcome addition to the proceedings.
The world of a Dragon Tattoo books and movies is a compelling one, if utterly dark and disturbing. Violence against women is commonplace and the motive for Lisbeth’s work. Even without all of the backstory, there’s plenty of international intrigue and adventure to satisfy the Mission Impossible demographic, with just a bit more snow.
The Girl in the Spider’s Web shows the franchise has survived the death of Larsson and has a bright future ahead with more heart-wrenching tales full of action and intrigue.
