The Girl in the Spider's Web Review: Lisbeth Salander's Muddled Return

Introduction

Anticipation for a new chapter in Lisbeth Salander's saga was palpable, but The Girl in the Spider's Web arrives with a heavy burden: living up to its predecessors while forging its own path. With Claire Foy stepping into the iconic role, audiences wondered if this iteration could capture the raw intensity and intricate plotting that defined the character. The trailers, however, might have already given too much away, setting a precedent for a film that struggles to maintain its own mystique.

The Lead Dynamic & The Action

Claire Foy delivers a portrayal of Lisbeth Salander that is undeniably cool, efficient, smart, and cunning. She embodies the character's formidable badassery, offering a distinct, albeit different, vibe from previous interpretations. While the performance itself is a highlight, the film's action sequences are a mixed bag. Some moments truly shine, like a thrilling motorcycle chase across a frozen landscape, showcasing a visual flair that hints at the film's potential. These flashes of intrigue, however, are often bogged down by a narrative that feels cluttered and convoluted.

Cameos, Nostalgia & Narrative Stakes

At its core, The Girl in the Spider's Web is a hacker thriller, but one that feels like a relic from the 90s. The plot revolves around a powerful program, a "nuclear codes for the world" MacGuffin, that everyone wants. This setup, reminiscent of classic spy thrillers like Goldeneye, quickly becomes generic. The film's biggest misstep, much like its own trailer, is its inability to keep secrets. The villain's identity, a "specter of the hero's past," is telegraphed so early and overtly that any reveal falls flat. The narrative is riddled with baffling character decisions, from bad guys leaving bloody knives at crime scenes to a "safe house" directly across from a sniper's paradise. These glaring plot holes and the sheer idiocy of supporting characters undermine any sense of genuine tension or stakes. A particularly frustrating sequence involves a dark, misty fight where everyone wears masks, making it impossible to discern who is who, leaving the audience as confused as the characters.

Tone, Direction & Creative Freedom

Directed by Fede Álvarez, the film struggles with its tone and pacing. It feels like a messy, cluttered wreck, with "too many cogs to keep the wheel turning." The narrative is so convoluted that it often loses sight of its own purpose, offering nothing new to the hacker thriller genre. The film even features a scene that feels directly lifted from Ben Affleck's Daredevil, highlighting a lack of original thought. While there are moments of visual intrigue, they are fleeting, overshadowed by a script that feels uninspired and a direction that fails to coalesce into a cohesive vision.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Girl in the Spider's Web is a forgettable entry in the Lisbeth Salander canon. Despite Claire Foy's commendable effort, the film is a generic hacker thriller that feels like a hundred others from decades past. Its convoluted plot, predictable twists, and baffling character choices prevent it from ever truly engaging the audience. It's a film that, much like its own messy trailer, starts with promise but quickly devolves into a forgettable experience. Don't be surprised if you've already forgotten it by the time the credits roll.