"Hornet's Nest" begins where the previous film, "The Girl Who Played with Fire," ends. After confronting her abusive father, Zalachenko (Georgi Staykov), and her hulking albino half-brother, Niedermann (Micke Spreitz), Salander lies in intensive care with a bullet wound to the head. Zalachenko is in the same hospital, under guard; Niedermann escaped but is on the run. A former Russian spy, Zalachenko is connected to a high-level cabal of Swedish criminals led by Clinton (Lennart Hjulström). Zalachenko tells the powerful syndicate that unless he is freed and Salander killed, he will reveal all their secrets.
Salander is cared for by a sympathetic doctor (Anders Ahlbom Rosendahl) while her lawyer Annika (Annika Hallin) prepares Salander's case for trial. Meanwhile, Blomkvist and his partner Erika (Lena Endre) work to publish an exposé on the syndicate that will free Salander; Clinton's goons attempt to kill both. Salander, quickly regaining her strength, starts using her hacker contacts to help unveil the syndicate's inner workings. As her trial date approaches, the syndicate conceives a plan to get Salander recommitted to the mental institution where she was abused during her teenage years.
Like any good third act, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" brings to a climax all of the loose plot lines of the first two movies ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" being the first). At the same time, since this was the third installment in a proposed 10-book series by the author—who died before the first book was published—it's surprising just how neatly the story ties all of it together. Ulf Rydberg's screenplay manages to fit in much of Larsson's elaborate plot while keeping the story moving. Daniel Alfredson, who also helmed "Played With Fire," achieves stronger pacing this time around while still allowing his actors to the room to explore these very flawed characters.
While these films are known for Rapace's revelatory performances, due to the story's many moving parts, "Hornet's Nest" is more of an ensemble piece. Surprisingly, though still central to the story, Nyqvist is relegated to a one-note role in this film, while some of the lesser characters are given more prominence. Endre brings depth to her performance as what has been a very secondary role as Blomkvist's lover and partner. Rosendahl reveals subtle strength in his scenes with Salander. Staykov seems to have fun with an essentially villainous role, while Alfredson is surprisingly sympathetic as a dying man who steps up to be an assassin.
As before, the central reason to watch is Rapace. Her role is less physically and emotionally vulnerable in this film. But it's a thrill to watch such a young actor, particularly in her scenes with Rosendahl, continue to expand and add color to an already rich performance.
Genre: Drama
Written by: Ulf Rydberg
Directed by: Daniel Alfredson
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Annika Hallin, Georgi Staykov, Micke Spreitz, Anders Ahlbom Rosendahl, Lena Endre, Sofia Ledarp, Lennart Hjulström