Watch The Girl Who Played with Fire

The Girl Who Played with Fire is a 2009 Swedish thriller film directed by Daniel Alfredson and based on the best-selling novel by Stieg Larsson. It is the second film in the Millennium trilogy following The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and it features Noomi Rapace reprising her role as the titular character, Lisbeth Salander, a troubled young computer hacker with a traumatic past.

The film opens with Lisbeth traveling the world, trying to escape her troubled past and lay low after the events of the previous film. However, when two journalists investigating sex trafficking in Sweden are murdered and Lisbeth's fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, she becomes the prime suspect in a nationwide manhunt. The situation is complicated by the fact that Lisbeth's abusive father is also back in the picture, and he may know more about the murders than he's letting on.

As the investigation unfolds, Lisbeth's friend and former lover, journalist Mikael Blomkvist (played by Michael Nyqvist), becomes convinced of her innocence and sets out to clear her name. Along the way, he uncovers a shocking conspiracy that reaches deep into Sweden's criminal underworld, and he realizes that Lisbeth may be in even more danger than he thought.

The Girl Who Played with Fire is a tense, fast-paced thriller that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. There are plenty of twists and turns, including some surprise appearances from familiar characters from the previous film. Noomi Rapace once again gives a powerful and nuanced performance as Lisbeth, bringing depth and complexity to a character who could easily have become a one-note stereotype. Michael Nyqvist is also excellent as Mikael, bringing a gravitas and intelligence to the role that anchors the film and gives Lisbeth a worthy foil.

One of the film's strengths is its depiction of Sweden's seedy underbelly, with its corrupt politicians, sleazy journalists, and violent criminals. The film doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of Swedish society, but it also doesn't wallow in them. Instead, it uses them to add weight and substance to the story, and to give Lisbeth and Mikael a compelling mystery to solve.

Another standout element of the film is its action scenes, which are surprisingly visceral and intense considering the film's low budget. There are a number of standout setpieces, including a nail-biting chase through the streets of Stockholm and a brutal confrontation in a remote cabin in the woods. These scenes are expertly choreographed and shot, and they help to keep the film moving at a breakneck pace.

One potential downside of The Girl Who Played with Fire is that it assumes some familiarity with the events of the previous film. While it's certainly possible to enjoy this movie on its own, viewers who haven't seen The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo may find themselves lost at times. There are also a number of subplots and characters that aren't fully explained, which can be confusing for viewers who aren't paying close attention.

Overall, however, The Girl Who Played with Fire is a thrilling and captivating film that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. With its strong performances, intense action, and engaging story, this is a movie that fans of the thriller genre won't want to miss. While it may not be for everyone, those who are willing to give it a chance will be rewarded with a tense, exciting, and memorable cinematic experience.

The Girl Who Played with Fire is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 66.