Fincher keeps the movie locations true to their Swedish origins and selects a cast of characters that are so true to those described and embodied in Larsson’s tale that the very essence of the story is preserved in every way.

Performances are Oscar worthy at every level: cinematography, musical score, direction, actors and adaptation of the story to screen. None of this was an easy feat. Take the protagonists Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’, Lisbeth Salander, is a deeply complicated, troubled young woman with a history of violence who has been terribly mistreated all her life. She has developed a means of survival including making herself as unapproachable as possible. She is incredibly intelligent, a high-level computer hacker and has a photographic memory (characteristics she likes to keep hidden as well as any physical attractiveness). Her life has been devoid of love at the most essential levels. Her piercings, dramatic makeup, punk hairstyle, clothing and her tattoos are ‘in your face’ statements of her attitude. Noomi Rapace conveyed such a riveting and convincing portrayal of this girl in the Swedish movie version that it was almost inconceivable that a better or equally persuasive portrayal of Lisbeth Salander could be done by anyone else. Well, Rooney Mara has proved that it can happen. Both women are remarkable in this extremely difficult role. Tattoo connoisseurs will have something to say about the dragon tattoos – the original one sported by Noomi Rapace was certainly the most spectacular. And wow, Lisbeth Salander knows how to ride a motorbike!

Daniel Craig perfectly embodies the character of Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist and a sleuth of the truest sense driven by the unquenchable desire to expose the truth at any cost. His personal life in a shambles, Blomkvist gets the perfect opportunity to redeem himself and right a wrong while keeping his publishing company afloat. He is no match for the forces of evil he is dealing with but fortunately the strangest of partnerships develops when Lisbeth Salander is sent to be his assistant. Together they tackle the challenge of unlocking the shocking truths of the Vanger Family and unveil larger international subterfuge. Robin Wright (Erika Berger) is thoroughly convincing as Blomkvist’s business partner and paramour. Christopher Plummer is masterful in the role of the Vanger patriarch bent on solving the mystery of his granddaughter who disappeared over 40 years ago under suspicious circumstances. Vanger believes that the murderer is a member of his dysfunctional extended family. Stellan Skarsgard provides a chilling portrayal of Martin Vanger, one of Henrik’s nephews and now head of the Vanger business.