During the holiday season, most moviegoers anticipate films of cheerful storylines and happy endings. However, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” broke this storyline, bringing some darkness into the holiday season.

Based on the Swedish bestselling novel by Stieg Larsson, the film follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) as he is hired to write an autobiography of business mogul Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer). Vanger claimes he hires Blomkvist so he can complete the book, but hopes more that Blomkvist will solve the mystery of his niece, Margaret, who disappeared 40 years earlier as a teenager. As he grows more involved with the project, Blomkvist realizes that he will need a research assistant and enlists the help of the intelligent, reserved Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara). Lisbeth comes from a troubled past, but is one of the most talented computer hackers. Together, Blomkvist and Lisbeth work to untangle years of secrets and family drama and soon find themselves involved in a situation more complicated than either of them could have ever imagined.

Although the movie starts off sort of slow, it quickly picks up and is full of heart racing action. The movie runs a little long, but it is packed with intricate details. The movie closely follows the novel, and there is only minor difference that does not affect the storyline.

The movie is not for the faint of heart. It features several graphic scenes, including intense violence and abuse and images of rape. However, these scenes are essential to the plot and are important to certain aspects of character development.

“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” brings a new kind of thriller to the theater, adding darkness, details and drama to an industry that has grown bleak and full of the same story.