Hans-Erik Wennerström

Mikael is a man of integrity and principle, who has been framed by a corrupt businessman and who is awaiting a prison sentence for libel.

He pursued an investigation into mega-wealthy businessman Hans-Erik Wennerstrom, but he is outplayed by Wennerstrom, who feeds Mikael false information that allows Wennerstrom to take Mikael to court, where he is sentenced to a few months' imprisonment, though that is deferred for a short time.

Wennerstrom is clearly unscrupulous, devious and willing to sacrifice the freedom of others in order to further his cause and to protect himself, and this episode constitutes an introduction to the themes of abuse of power and the inadequacy of the justice system that will be further explored in the film.

Eventually, Mikael is joined in his investigation by Lisbeth Salander, a troubled, rebellious and intelligent young woman with a checkered past, who has highly developed skills in the field of cyber security, poorly developed social skills, and is utterly determined to see justice done, at least in her eyes.