Bechdel Test Movie List

There are several named female characters in the film, notably main character Lisbeth Salander.

Although none of the main female characters talk to each other at all, Lisbeth and Malin exchange a few words once. When Mikael enters Lisbeth's apartment, Malin asks Lisbeth "Is everything okay?" and Lisbeth answers "Yeah, sure."

Lisbeth and her mother also talk to each other briefly, mostly about a man, but also about Lisbeth's life in general.

In conclusion, the match is quite dubious, so I would say that the film passes the test, but only just.

Not Malin, Mimmi. And I suspect various bits that must have been cut for length would have had more - anything to do with Erika Berger, for example.

I think we don't get to speculate about possible conversations between women that may have been filmed but were left on the cutting room floor, or to count them towards a rating. The film maker makes a choice about what to cut out, and if what he cuts is all the conversations between women, that was a significant decision. I'd judge a film only on what appears on screen after the final cut.

Doesn't pass the test. Which women talk to each other?!

Lisbeth and the nurse discuss her mother.

The match is NOT dubious. Yasmine Garbi, who plays Miriam Wu(Mimmi), Lisbeth's girlfriend, has a noteworthy scene with Noomi Rapace. I don't recall either of them mentioning a man. I do remember thinking that the actress playing Mimmi was hot. ;)

I agree that the film passing is technically dubious, but the book (and film) is called Men Who Hate Women in Swedish. It's a very left wing book and has a lot to say about the role of women. If the book passes the test, I'd say that's just about enough for me.

Every female character, every single one, is defined by violence against women on the part of men. It's very left wing in exposing the state's disregard for the lives of women, but still trades in sexual violence against women as the only really interesting/compelling thing women can have cathartic experiences about. The only time we see women together without the framing of men or the threat of violence is Mimmi and Lisbeth, and their relationship is definitely not dominated by talking.

I have to agree with Amy. Even if the film and book technically pass the test, the proposed "women's rights" message is drowned out by the excessive focus on sexual assault committed by male characters.

I wouldn't say that all the women in this film are defined only by violence upon women by a man. Other than Martin's victims, the only named characters who are sexually assaulted are Harriet and Lisbeth (so far as we know). The female members of the Vagner family are affected by the situation, but not entirely defined by it.

That said, the message about violence against women does feel it gets lost due to the excessive and brutal nature of the crimes, and at times the story gets perilously close to "girlfriend in the refrigerator" territory.

Then again, how can you approach this subject honestly without depicting on some level the brutality of it?

It's not just a case of violence of men upon women, keep in mind Lisbeth rapes her rapist back.

Also two men in the film were killed after sexually abusing a woman, and trying to abuse a man, respectively.

There are a few named female characters, the first exchange is two sentences and regards the main male character entering the scene. The second scene between Lisbeth and her mother establishes her past, this is where the rating gets a little murky. I personally believe that the overall conversation was only triggered by another *unrelated/spoiler incident regarding a man. And half the conversation was turned back around to address a man.