Audiences familiar with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a capable if troubled mystery, will notice a sharp decline in the quality of storytelling here.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 3, 2023

Fire is better than Dragon because the new director, Daniel Alfredson, is less sadistic and more coherent. [Full review in Spanish]

| Aug 8, 2022

A finely made, suspenseful thriller, a must see.

| Original Score: B+ | Aug 12, 2020

Although probably less purely exciting than its predecessor, The Girl Who Played with Fire is in some respects the more sober, realistic story.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 31, 2019

Despite its boring cinematography and score, The Girl Who Played With Fire rests squarely on a strong performance of Rapace, who does well showing the years of abuse and anguished heaped upon her character.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 24, 2019

A great story to be immersed in.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 17, 2019

As a movie, it seems shapeless.

| Jul 24, 2019

Part of Dragon Tattoo's draw came from its sanguine sensationalism while Played with Fire is more dour, and as such it's less fun.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 7, 2019

This is an enjoyable thriller: there's no shortage of action, intrigue and girl power.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 23, 2018

... an improvement on the first film, moving away from the murder mystery conventions of the first film to focus on the terrible past of Salander that returns with a vengeance.

| Aug 4, 2017

If you were fortunate enough to see the first film and enjoyed it, chances are you will also enjoy this entry.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 23, 2012

The entertaining yet unspectacular atmosphere cements the movie's place as a mild disappointment...

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 17, 2011

... Raises the stakes, telling a story that is at once further reaching and more intimate.

| Original Score: A | Nov 5, 2011

The cinematography, almost like a tranquil counterpoint to the ugly crimes taking place on screen, make you feel like moving to Sweden would be the coolest, most gorgeous decision you ever made.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 4, 2011

Lisbeth Salander remains the riveting centerpiece of the two films that follow on from Dragon Tattoo, but, alas, her continuing story has been winnowed down in a way that makes it -- and her -- feel smaller than before.

| Dec 13, 2010

An Audio Conversation with Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, star of The Girl Who Played With Fire, on KPFA Radio, San Francisco.

| Nov 30, 2010

Where the first film pinned you to your seat as its mystery unfolded, the plodding pace of the sequel will leave you fidgeting.

| Nov 26, 2010

Part 2 of subtitled crime trilogy with same brutality, sex.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 16, 2010

Lisbeth is as much of a scourge as Clint Eastwood's Man with No Name, and just as mysterious, cool, and resilient.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Nov 5, 2010

The saving grace in all this, perhaps, is how the character of Salander continues to feel like a unique alternative to a typical movie heroine.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Nov 2, 2010