The film, directed by Magnus von Horn, is a Danish-Swedish-Polish co-production competing for the Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Von Horn himself is a graduate of Poland’s renowned Łódź Film School.
The film centers on the determined yet impoverished factory worker Karoline, portrayed by Vic Carmen Sonne, who is desperately seeking to terminate a pregnancy resulting from an affair with her employer in post-World War I Copenhagen. Amidst the city’s cold, muddy streets, Karoline clandestinely brings a knitting needle to a public bath, where she encounters a captivating older woman, played by Trine Dyrholm. This woman operates an illicit adoption agency from her quaint sweet shop.
‘The Girl with the Needle’ is driven by an anxiety-inducing score and filled with harrowing, breath-stopping moments. Based on the true story of a Danish female serial killer, the film delves deeply into profound themes, examining the complexities of motherhood, the spectrum of women’s choices, and the nature of monstrosity.
The movie, dubbed as a “fairytale about a horrible truth,” delves into themes of love and morality as it follows the journey of Karoline.
The film has garnered significant attention for its compelling narrative and strong performances, particularly by Vic Carmen Sonne as Karoline and Trine Dyrholm as Dagmar.
The Guardian praised it for its powerful storytelling and striking cinematography, adding that the film has been made with “enormous technical flair.” It also commended von Horn’s skillful direction. Other reviews have echoed similar sentiment, noting the film’s unique blend of fairytale elements with a dark, realistic portrayal of historical and personal struggles.
According to
Cineuropa“Magnus von Horn’s macabre fairytale for grown-ups is too pretty for its own good.”
“Von Horn’s film never plays as empty miserablism…thanks to its grave understanding of the moral and spiritual reasoning behind unimaginable acts of violence,” wrote
Variety in its review.
All in all, ‘The Girl with the Needle’ has been recognized as a powerful testament to the quality of international film collaborations and is a standout entry at this year’s festival. It is amongst the 22 films vying for the coveted Palme d’Or.
