The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018)

I find Lizbeth Salander one of the more interesting heroes of modern pop culture but a difficult one to get right on screen. There is a fine balance here to walk to make her hero without commodifying her. She resists interpretation by being herself iconoclastic. Taking her on is a challenge, but one worth taking.

Unlike the more star studded predecessor to this film, The Girl in the Spider's Web went with fewer recognizable names before and behind the camera, instead going for a more straight forward and accessible take on this series, which is a bit ironic based on the title. Still I felt it delivered a very satisfying popcorn thriller in the end which, while being more traditional crime thriller story doesn't hold your hand completely. It also doesn't let its title character down.

Claire Foy is the headliner here and she knocks it out of the park carrying the movie by tackling the titular character in an earnest way. She captures all Salanders awkward strengths and relatable weaknesses while still portraying her as the centre, the hero. She needs help at some points but is never dependent. The film only skirts some of the background story here and I think Foy would have been up to the task of delving more deeply into some of that. But the film keeps its story tight and just safe enough.

Director Alvarez is a rising star and I love the way he tells a story. Most of what works for me in Spider's Web is his approach. Visually he is spectacular, but the way he spins his threads is also remarkable. I think Spider's Web could have easily felt more mediocre without his deft touch. Spider's Web is a lovely little piece of cinema, with him having picked up the torch from Fincher and not dropping it.

So yes, Spider's Web pushes less buttons than I might have liked. This series has a very strong undercurrent of subversion to it which this film dampens. Salander and the very real misogynistic world she inhabits and revolts against is a tough sell to the mulitplex crowd. Spider's Web feels like a bit of a compromise but one that doesn't give up too much in the deal. I was entertained, inspired, on the edge of my seat, and thrilled at her taking names. For a franchise film I felt this was a worthwhile edition.

The Girl in the Spider's Web
Starring: Claire Foy, Sverrir Gudnason, Lakeith Stanfield, Sylvia Hoeks, Stephen Merchant
Director: Fede Alvarez
Writers: Jay Basu, Stephen Knight, Fede Alvarez