Journalist Mikael Blomkvist, convicted for slander, is hired by industrialist Henrik Vanger to solve the 40 year old disappearance of his niece Harriet, but Mikael soon finds out he's getting help in the case, from hacker Lisbeth Salander.

Lisbeth finds out she's wanted by the police for the murder of her guardian, a woman and the woman's boyfriend, a reporter writing an expose' on sex trafficking for "Millenium", but unknown to Lisbeth, she's wanted by someone else as well.

As Mikael continues to try to prove Lisbeth's innocence to the police, Lisbeth continues to find the leader of the sex trafficking ring, but it may be the last person she would ever expect to see.

A branch of the Secret Police begins to feel threatened by the outcome of the "Zala" incident. Now, in order to protect themselves, they decide to silence those who may be considered a threat to them, including Lisbeth.

As Lisbeth's trial begins, Mikael races against time to gather information to acquit her, but "The Section" begins a new course of action to stop Mikael's investigation: striking out against Erika and Mikael themselves.