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Action thriller

The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018) movie poster

The Girl in the Spider's Web is a 2018 action thriller directed by Fede Alvarez, starring Claire Foy as Lisbeth Salander, Sylvia Hoeks and Stephen Merchant. It is partly based on The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz and George Goulding. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $35.2 million worldwide on a $43 million budget. Critics gave it 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
38%
worldwide gross
$35.2M
Echo Score
46
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The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m (117 min)
Director
Fede Alvarez
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$43M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Girl in the Spider's Web About?

The premise of The Girl in the Spider's Web without spoilers, adapted from The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz and George Goulding. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A brilliant but troubled hacker, Lisbeth Salander, is drawn into a dangerous mission when she partners with former NSA agent Frans Balder. Their objective is to steal FireWall, a program with the ability to access global nuclear weapon codes. Pursued by ruthless Russian mercenaries and a determined NSA agent, they must overcome perilous obstacles to prevent a worldwide catastrophe.

The Girl in the Spider's Web Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • chess
  • vacuum sack
  • asphyxiation
  • breathplay
  • suffocation
  • snow
  • ice
  • van
  • goth
  • news report
  • cell phone
  • camera phone
+38 more
  • motorcycle
  • shot to death
  • corpse
  • pistol
  • sniper rifle
  • sniper
  • house on fire
  • assassin
  • hitman
  • assassination attempt
  • attempted murder
  • home invasion
  • apartment
  • art gallery
  • computer programmer
  • car accident
  • terrorist
  • sociopath
  • spider
  • masked man
  • exploding house
  • fax machine
  • playing chess
  • infidelity
  • implied incest
  • woman wears a gas mask
  • younger version of character
  • vomiting
  • strong female character
  • tough woman
  • aerial camera shot
  • animal in title
  • sweden
  • spousal abuse
  • cyber attack
  • sequel to remake
  • strong female protagonist
  • scandi noir crime
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Cast & crew

The Girl in the Spider's Web Cast & Characters

Claire Foy leads the cast as Lisbeth Salander, with Sylvia Hoeks as Camilla Salander and Stephen Merchant as Frans Balder. Directed by Fede Alvarez; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Girl in the Spider's Web

· 11 more
From the director

More from Fede Alvarez

More films directed by Fede Alvarez, best-rated first: Don't Breathe, Alien: Romulus, Evil Dead and Evil Dead.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Girl in the Spider's Web Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Girl in the Spider's Web 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 46/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

46 /100

The Girl in the Spider's Web Echo Score Breakdown

The Girl in the Spider’s Web offers striking stylistic flair yet falters in narrative depth and character resonance. Its measured visual palette and polished action sequences earn consistent praise for atmosphere and technical craft. However, simplified motivations and uneven pacing undermine engagement, while many key figures feel underdeveloped. Despite moments of compelling style, the film’s lack of substance limits its overall impact and memorability.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of visual craft and direction, the film presents a refined wintry palette and coherent production design under Alvarez’s stylized approach. Critics commend the slick cinematography and industrial backdrops, while some users note occasional lapses in editing and choreography. This balanced execution yields a visually engaging experience, though it sometimes feels superficially assembled rather than fully cohesive.

  • Character & Emotion 40

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the film frequently reduces Lisbeth Salander to a generic action figure with limited inner life. Performances receive mixed responses: Claire Foy’s portrayal is viewed as earnest yet constrained, and supporting roles fluctuate between adequate and perfunctory. Overall, inconsistent chemistry and shallow motivations curb the film’s ability to create lasting emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of plot coherence and engagement, the narrative relies on familiar espionage tropes and oversimplified villain motivations. Reviews highlight abrupt pacing shifts and a rewrite that sacrifices the original’s intricate web of intrigue. While action-driven sequences sustain occasional momentum, the story’s lack of originality and uneven structure undermine long-term involvement. Consequently, the flow feels predictable and undernourished.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    With regard to sensory experience, the film delivers a polished aural and visual landscape marked by crisp sound design and a resonant score. The measured winter atmosphere and high production values contribute to an immersive backdrop. Some viewers point to uneven fight choreography and occasional tonal discord, yet the overall sensory cohesion remains a notable strength that accentuates the film’s stylistic identity.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s emphasis on surface-level thrills and style yields limited incentive for repeat viewings. While select action set pieces and atmospheric visuals offer momentary appeal, the absence of narrative depth and character nuance diminishes lasting engagement. As a result, the title may struggle to sustain viewer interest beyond an initial viewing.

Plot

The Girl in the Spider's Web Plot Summary

What happens in The Girl in the Spider's Web from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film commences in Sweden, showcasing a young Lisbeth Salander (Beau Gadsdon) engaged in a game of chess with her sister Camilla (Carlotta von Falkenhayn). In a tense moment, one of Camilla’s pieces topples, revealing a spider that crawls out. Shortly thereafter, their father Alexander Zalachenko (Mikael Persbrandt) enters and demands the girls come to his room. He comments on Camilla’s growth, pulling her beside him, which raises Lisbeth’s alarm about his inappropriate intentions. In a panic, Lisbeth seizes Camilla’s hand and retreats to their room. Eventually, she climbs out onto the balcony, preparing to leap into the unknown. Camilla, compelled by their father’s orders, stays behind, leaving Lisbeth no choice but to jump, sliding down the hill and escaping her oppressive home life forever.

Full summary

The whole story of The Girl in the Spider's Web, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Girl in the Spider's Web Box Office & Budget

The Girl in the Spider's Web grossed $35.2 million worldwide on a $43 million budget, 82% of what it cost. $14.8 million came from the US and Canada and $20.3 million (58%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$35.2M

82% of its budget back

US & Canada
$14.8M
International
$20.3M
Budget
$43M
US & Canada 42% Rest of the world 58%
Videos

The Girl in the Spider's Web Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Girl in the Spider's Web.

THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB - Official Trailer (HD)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Girl in the Spider's Web?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What tragic event disrupts the relationship between Lisbeth Salander and her sister Camilla in the beginning?

Cars

Cars in The Girl in the Spider's Web

37 cars on screen, including the 2017 Ducati Monster 797 and the 2010 BMW 5 F10.

All 37 cars
  • 2017 Ducati Monster 797 in The Girl in the Spider's Web 2017 Ducati Monster 797 Main role
  • 2010 BMW 5 F10 in The Girl in the Spider's Web 2010 BMW 5 F10 Important role
  • 1992 Chevrolet Chevy Van in The Girl in the Spider's Web 1992 Chevrolet Chevy Van Important role
  • Chevrolet Step-Van in The Girl in the Spider's Web Chevrolet Step-Van Important role
Details

The Girl in the Spider's Web Also Known As

38 alternative titles, including “The Girl in the Spider's Web: A Dragon Tattoo Story” and “밀레니엄: 거미줄에 걸린 소녀”.

Also known as
  • The Girl in the Spider's Web: A Dragon Tattoo Story
  • 밀레니엄: 거미줄에 걸린 소녀
  • 蜘蛛网里的女孩
  • 龙纹身的女孩续集
  • Millennium Quello che non uccide
  • Millénium : Ce qui ne me tue pas
  • Verschwörung
  • Девушка, которая застряла в паутине
  • Дівчина у павутинні
  • To Κορίτσι Στον Ιστό Της Αράχνης
  • Millennium: Lo que no te mata te hace más fuerte
  • The Girl in the Spider's Web - Det der ikke slår os ihjel
+26 more
  • הנערה ברשת העכביש
  • Момичето в паяжината
  • 蜘蛛網中的女孩
  • 蜘蛛网中的女孩
  • Millennium - Quello che non uccide
  • Millennium: A Garota na Teia de Aranha
  • 거미줄에 걸린 소녀
  • Mergina voratinklyje
  • A Rapariga Apanhada na Teia da Aranha
  • Ami nem öl meg
  • Örümcek Ağındaki Kız
  • Dívka v pavoučí síti
  • Dievča v pavúčej sieti
  • Што нас не убије
  • Se mikä ei tapa
  • Prizonieră în pânza de păianjen
  • Dziewczyna w sieci pająka
  • La chica en la telaraña
  • 蜘蛛の巣を払う女
  • Što nas ne ubije
  • พยัคฆ์สาวล่ารหัสใยมรณะ
  • Cô Gái Trong Lưới Nhện Ảo
  • Meitene zirnekļa tīklā
  • Dekle v pajkovi mreži
  • Það sem ekki drepur mann, გოგონა ობობას ქსელში
  • Millennium: El que no et mata et fa més fort

Seen The Girl in the Spider's Web?

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Movies Like The Girl in the Spider's Web

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl.

FAQ

The Girl in the Spider's Web FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Girl in the Spider's Web, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Girl in the Spider's Web?

The Girl in the Spider's Web runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).

When was The Girl in the Spider's Web released?

The Girl in the Spider's Web was released on November 9, 2018.

Who directed The Girl in the Spider's Web?

The Girl in the Spider's Web was directed by Fede Alvarez.

More films by Fede Alvarez

Who is in the cast of The Girl in the Spider's Web?

The Girl in the Spider's Web stars Claire Foy as Lisbeth Salander, Sylvia Hoeks as Camilla Salander and Stephen Merchant as Frans Balder, among 15 credited actors.

How much did The Girl in the Spider's Web make at the box office?

The Girl in the Spider's Web grossed $35.2 million worldwide ($14.8 million domestic, $20.3 million international) on a budget of $43 million.

How is The Girl in the Spider's Web rated?

The Girl in the Spider's Web has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Is The Girl in the Spider's Web based on a book?

Yes. The Girl in the Spider's Web is partly adapted from The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz and George Goulding.

Does The Girl in the Spider's Web have a post-credit scene?

No. The Girl in the Spider's Web has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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