Explore the dark and suspenseful world of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)—a gripping mystery-thriller based on the best-selling novel by Stieg Larsson. Dive into this chilling tale of crime, investigation, and hidden secrets to build your English vocabulary, particularly in themes like crime and investigation, technology, psychology, and journalism.

Watch the official trailer on YouTube and visit the IMDB page for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to get a sense of the story before diving into the vocabulary.

More Vocabulary Lists

---

Crime and Investigation Vocabulary

• Cold Case /kəʊld keɪs/
  Definition: An unsolved criminal investigation that remains open.
  Example: The story revolves around a cold case involving a missing girl.
• Detective /dɪˈtɛk.tɪv/
  Definition: A person, especially a police officer, who investigates crimes.
  Example: Mikael Blomkvist takes on the role of a detective to solve the mystery.
• Forensic Evidence /fəˈrɛn.zɪk ˈɛv.ɪ.dəns/
  Definition: Evidence obtained through scientific methods like DNA analysis.
  Example: The investigators analyze forensic evidence to uncover the truth.
• Victim /ˈvɪk.tɪm/
  Definition: A person who has been harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime.
  Example: The mystery centers on the disappearance of a potential victim.
• Perpetrator /ˈpɜː.pə.treɪ.tər/
  Definition: A person who carries out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act.
  Example: Lisbeth helps Mikael identify the perpetrator of the crime.

---

Technology Vocabulary

• Hacker /ˈhæk.ər/
  Definition: Someone who gains unauthorized access to computer systems.
  Example: Lisbeth Salander is a skilled hacker who uses her talents to uncover secrets.
• Surveillance /sərˈveɪ.ləns/
  Definition: The act of monitoring someone’s activities, often secretly.
  Example: They use surveillance techniques to gather information on suspects.
• Encryption /ɪnˈkrɪp.ʃən/
  Definition: The process of converting data into a secure code to prevent unauthorized access.
  Example: Lisbeth cracks encryption to access hidden files.
• Database /ˈdeɪ.tə.beɪs/
  Definition: An organized collection of data stored electronically.
  Example: She searches a database to find missing details about the case.
• Firewall /ˈfaɪər.wɔːl/
  Definition: A system that protects a network or device from unauthorized access.
  Example: The company’s firewall was bypassed by the hacker.

---

Psychology Vocabulary

• Trauma /ˈtrɔː.mə/
  Definition: Deep emotional distress caused by a disturbing experience.
  Example: Lisbeth’s troubled past is marked by trauma that shapes her actions.
• Trust Issues /trʌst ˈɪʃ.uːz/
  Definition: Difficulty believing in the reliability or honesty of others.
  Example: Lisbeth has severe trust issues due to her history of abuse.
• Manipulation /məˌnɪp.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/
  Definition: Controlling or influencing someone in a devious way.
  Example: The antagonist uses manipulation to hide his crimes.
• Obsession /əbˈsɛʃ.ən/
  Definition: An intense preoccupation with something or someone.
  Example: Mikael’s obsession with solving the case drives him into dangerous territory.
• Revenge /rɪˈvɛnʒ/
  Definition: The act of inflicting harm in return for a wrongdoing.
  Example: Lisbeth seeks revenge on those who have hurt her in the past.

---

Journalism Vocabulary

• Investigative Journalism /ɪnˈvɛs.tɪ.ɡə.tɪv ˈdʒɜː.nə.lɪ.zəm/
  Definition: In-depth reporting to uncover hidden information, often about wrongdoing.
  Example: Mikael Blomkvist is an investigative journalist determined to reveal the truth.
• Whistleblower /ˈwɪs.əlˌbloʊ.ər/
  Definition: A person who exposes illegal or unethical behavior.
  Example: The case includes a whistleblower who provides critical information.
• Defamation /ˌdɛf.əˈmeɪ.ʃən/
  Definition: The act of damaging someone’s reputation by false statements.
  Example: Mikael is accused of defamation after publishing a controversial article.
• Confidential Source /ˌkɒn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl sɔːrs/
  Definition: A person who provides information to a journalist under the condition of anonymity.
  Example: The journalist relied on a confidential source to break the story.
• Editorial /ˌɛd.ɪˈtɔː.ri.əl/
  Definition: A newspaper article expressing the opinions of its editors.
  Example: The magazine published an editorial criticizing corporate corruption.

---

Practical English Tips

• Watch The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with subtitles to understand the vocabulary in context.
• Practice summarizing the film’s plot to strengthen your storytelling skills.
• Explore related crime-thriller films to expand your vocabulary further.