Millennium is a 21st century Nordic Noir franchise based on a book trilogy by Stieg Larsson. Most of the series takes place in Stockholm at locations open to visit.
Walking tours in Stockholm |
Understand
[edit]“ | - What happened when you were twelve? I'm sorry, that's none of my business. - I tried to kill my father. Burned him alive. Got about eighty percent of him. - Oh. - I made some coffee. |
” |
—Stieg Larsson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo |
The Millennium series began as a novel trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest) written by journalist Stieg Larsson (1954-2004), posthumously published from 2005 to 2007. A Swedish film trilogy was released in 2009, starring Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace. An English-language remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, was released in 2011. Authorship was transferred to David Lagercrantz, who continued the series with three books (nicknamed M4, M5, and M6) released from 2015 to 2019. The first of Lagercrantz's novels, The Girl in the Spider's Web, was adapted into an English-language film starring Claire Foy, in 2018.
Prepare
[edit]Reading the original book trilogy is a good beginning. While the Swedish films conclude the trilogy, the American remake is visually superior; and could be considered for a first encounter to the series.
Destinations
[edit]Most locations in the books are on Södermalm, or other parts of Stockholm. The films have, with a few exceptions, been shot on site. Some scenes were shot at the rundown traffic hub Slussen, which was torn down in the 2010s, and is partially shut off for construction as of 2023.
- 1 Stockholm City Museum (Stadsmuseet i Stockholm), Ryssgården. Stockholm City Museum has held tours and exhibition on the Millennium series, as well as the official tour map.
- 1 Bellmansgatan 1 (Södermalm, Stockholm). Mikael's home is reached from a public pedestrian bridge which has a spectacular view of central Stockholm.
- 2 Monteliusvägen. A walking trail not featured in the films; it provides an astounding view of Lake Mälaren and Kungsholmen, where Stockholm Courthouse is a dominant building.
- 3 Lundabron (Södermalm). Lisbeth's miserable upbringing at Lundagatan is told in retrospect. She lives here in the beginning of the story. Again, a pedestrian bridge provides a great view.
- 1 Mellqvist Café, Hornsgatan 78. Mikael's regular café. Lisbeth meets him here, to borrow 120,000 kronor for a high-risk investment.
- 4 Götgatan 11 (Södermalm). Office for the Millennium magazine. In real life, the rooms are residential.
- 2 7-Eleven, Götgatan 25. Lisbeth's corner shop.
- 3 Kvarnen, Tjärhovsgatan 4 (T Medborgarplatsen). A 19th century beer hall. Lisbeth meets up with the band Evil Fingers here, and kisses Miriam to get Mikael's attention.
- 5 Mosebacke, Mosebacke Torg 3 (T Slussen). Lisbeth and Mikael cross Mosebacke square several times. Lisbeth and her lawyer Annika Gianini meet up for a drink at Södra Teatern in the third book.
- 7 Milton Security, Katarinavägen 15 (Södermalm, Stockholm). This fictional company in a very real building is Lisbeth's workplace.
- 8 Gamla Stan Metro Station. A man molests Lisbeth, who beats him up.
- 4 Gamla Riksarkivet. Interior scenes from various scenes (including Millennium meetings and the court trial) were shot here. The building is open only for special events.
- 2 Adrat Jisrael Synagogue, S:t Paulsgatan 13. Inspector Jan Bublanski belongs to the Adat Jisrael Congregation, and uses the Synagogue for a confident meeting with Dragan Armanskij.
- 3 Great Synagogue, Wahrendorffsgatan 3B. For the films, the Great Synagogue in Norrmalm was used.
- 4 Stockholm Court House (Stockholms Rådhus) (Kungsholmen). The courthouse from the turn of the century with its massive tower is regarded as one of the foremost examples of Swedish national romanticism architecture, with a successful 2000s restoration. Open to public on weekdays; security checkpoint at front door.
- 10 Björkvik, Ingarö (Stockholm archipelago). Setting of the remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
- 5 Bishop's Arms, Bellmansgatan 10. Mikael's go-to pub. In M4, he hears about Frans Balder and his AI project.
- 11 Zero, Hornsgatan & Guldgränd. Lisbeth's boxing club in M4.
- 12 Zinkensdamm, Hornsgatan & Ringvägen. A traffic light where Frans Balder and his son pass by in M4.