The Girl Who Played With Fire (2010)

The good stuff * Messages: Although violence penetrates every part of this story, the film's ultimate message is that with vigilance and courage, even those who seem powerless can triumph over great evil. Teamwork, respect for one's colleagues, and a strong sense of others' worth are essential for a successful outcome * Role models: Lisbeth Salander is a most unlikely role model. Small, antisocial, unorthodox in appearance and dress, she uses the skills she's painstakingly developed (computer hacking, boxing, martial arts, and more) to overcome prejudice against her and malicious attacks on her life. Mikael Blomqvist and others on his magazine's staff are brave and diligent members of the press. Other than the victims of sex traffickers, the women in this film are portrayed as strong and self-sufficient. And, though wrong-headed initially, the police finally redeem themselves by being open-minded and siding with the forces of right. What to watch out for * Violence: Lots of brutal, bloody action, including threatening interrogations, physical attacks in which women are beaten and kicked, a rape seen in flashback, savage fist fights, and more. A young girl throws kerosene on a man, then lights a match and watches him burn. A woman is shot and buried alive. Lots of gun action, and a scene in which one character is bludgeoned with an axe. * Sex: In a lengthy sequence, two women engage in sexual activity, with full-frontal nudity and lots of breast exposure. A man has sexual intercourse with a girl who's a victim of sex trafficking. More nudity in a post-sexual scene between two consenting adults. Graphic sexual language. Language: The English subtitles include multiple uses of "f--k," "s--t," "bas-ard," "wh-re," "bi-ch," "bullsh--t," and "d--e." "Christ" and "Jesus" are also used as exclamations. * Consumerism: Apple computers, Sunoco, Ikea, Dole. * Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The lead character chain smokes throughout the movie. A few instances of beer drinking in social settings. Drug trafficking plays a small part in the criminal activity being investigated.