The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo [OST]
by Trent Reznor
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Los Angeles Times
    Jan 3, 2012
    88
    Taken together, Reznor and Ross' score to "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" (available as a three-CD set and as a download) not only does its job in service of Fincher's vision, but it's also one more step in the ongoing evolution of a restless musical mind.
  2. Uncut
    Feb 3, 2012
    80
    This score suggests many of those Nine Inch Nails tricks hold good. [mar 2012, p.97]
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  3. The Independent (UK)
    Jan 20, 2012
    80
    It's the sense of space that grips one's attention, sometimes just flecks of sound, like snowflakes in darkness, create a sense of brooding unease.
  5. AllMusic
    Jan 3, 2012
    80
    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a musical labyrinth that is well worth getting lost in for Ross and Reznor fans as well as soundtrack buffs.
  6. Consequence
    Jan 3, 2012
    80
    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is all about mood and atmosphere, and the duo have provided more than enough.
  7. Beats Per Minute
    Jan 11, 2012
    75
    Reznor and Ross have managed to balance creating fitting soundscapes without overshadowing the poignant dialogue.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Jan 10, 2012
    75
    As a cohesive album fans will play again and again, Dragon Tattoo doesn't work. But it succeeds where it counts: making it difficult to picture Fincher's film without Reznor and Ross' exceptional score.
  9. Pitchfork
    Jan 17, 2012
    70
    There are few standout tracks; instead, the most arresting moments emerge out of layers of increasingly damaged sounds that set an uncompromisingly bleak mood.... It doesn't quite work as a standalone experience.
  10. Mojo
    Feb 27, 2012
    60
    You can see why they've got another Golden Globe nomination for this, although most of the music here isn't in the film and the many highlights get lost in an eternity of approximately similar sonics. [Mar 2012, p.94]
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  11. BBC Music
    Jan 13, 2012
    60
    Ross and Reznor receive A grades for effort, and commendations for their execution of this most-malevolent of soundtracks; but Dragon Tattoo is such an exhausting listen that one might well switch to the music from Arthur Christmas before the fine, Ferry-penned finale comes into view.
  12. Rolling Stone
    Jan 3, 2012
    60
    The result is an obsessive-compulsive studio necromancer at his most maximally creepy.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Getbusyliving
    Jan 17, 2012
    10
    This is just terrific music by none other than the greatest dark composer of all time. The entire three disks should be listened to in theirThis is just terrific music by none other than the greatest dark composer of all time. The entire three disks should be listened to in their entirely with headphones for best effect.… Full Review »
  2. AD421
    Feb 2, 2012
    9
    Trent and Atticus have accurately created a long piece of work that molds into the film as if they're one of the same. Dark, moody, fast, coldTrent and Atticus have accurately created a long piece of work that molds into the film as if they're one of the same. Dark, moody, fast, cold and at times empty. Nothing can describe it better.… Full Review »
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