FILM: The Girl in the Spider’s Web (2018, Fede Álvarez)

Pete Kirkpatrick ,

The Girl in the Spider's Web poster.png

Based on David Lagercrantz’s novel of the same title, crime-thriller The Girl in the Spider’s Web is distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, following its premiere at the 2018 Rome Film Festival. Lisbeth Salander (Claire Foy) and Mikael Blomkvist (Sverrir Gudnason) find themselves caught up in a web of spies, cyber-criminals and corrupt government officials (from both Sweden and America) known as The Spider Society. For Lisbeth, however, it becomes far more personal as her estranged father (Mikael Persbrandt) and sister (Sylvia Hoeks) are connected to it all.

CONS

  • The biggest issue with the film is the narrative. It is quite convoluted, yet at the same time rather dull and feels like somewhat of a slog to get through, thanks to a rather plodding pace. The other issue is the fact that it ultimately feels like an attempt to be a Bond film but ends up more Die Another Day than Skyfall, thanks to some frankly ludicrous action sequences, and even some of those are dull.
  • Poorly realised supporting characters, who ultimately bring very little to the table and whose arcs are quite predictable and altogether rather underwhelming (though none more so than the reveal that Lisbeth’s estranged family are connected to The Spider Society).
  • An overall poor cast, with several wooden turns (including Sylvia Hoeks, Claes Bang, Synnøve Macody Lund and Andreja Pejić) and several members who are not used to their full potential (notably LaKeith Stanfield and Vicky Krieps).
  • Cinematographer Pedro Luque and editor Tatiana S. Riegel come across as playing it safe in their technical decisions, meaning that there is nothing interesting (on a technical level) in Lisbeth’s investigating and the action sequences (especially the chases) are just not at all exciting in the slightest.

PROS.

  • Claire Foy gives a stoic leading turn as Lisbeth, conveying both intellect and quiet determination as the character.
  • Some very vivid work by the make-up department, who use fake blood and injury detail effectively.

VERDICT: 2/10

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