The Girl With the Needle

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The Girl With the Needle

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2h 3m

Drama

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92%

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85 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

A standout selection from the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE is a dark fairy tale about one woman's search for tenderness and morality in a cruel world. Both eerie and exquisite, writer-director Magnus von Horn's latest film tracks young factory worker Karoline as she struggles to survive in post-WWI Copenhagen. When she ends up unemployed, abandoned and pregnant, the charismatic Dagmar takes her in to help run an underground adoption agency for unwanted children. The two women form an unexpected bond, until a sudden revelation changes everything. Based on a chilling true story, THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE presents a masterful gothic vision with profound contemporary resonance. Denmark's Best International Feature Film entry to the 97th Academy Awards® also features EFA-nominated performances from Vic Carmen Sonne and Trine Dyrholm, gorgeous cinematography by EO's Michał Dymek, and a spellbinding score by Frederikke Hoffmeier (Puce Mary).

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Critics Consensus

Threading its grim tale through sumptuous black-and-white photography, The Girl with the Needle is a haunting parable made with superb craft.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It is so exquisitely well-crafted but such a downer and hard to watch.

Jan 17, 2025

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

Working in pin-sharp black and white, director Magnus von Horn brings icy clarity to the tale of an ordinary young woman, Karoline, whose misfortune is vast in pitiless times.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 15, 2025

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

It’s a remarkable film: bleak, but horribly compelling.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 14, 2025

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Kiko Martinez

San Antonio Current

Disturbing ... Shot in somber black and white, Swedish-Polish director and cowriter Magnus von Horn takes viewers into frightening corners where darkness reigns.

Rated: B+

Jan 21, 2025

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Jason Flatt

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

The Girl with the Needle is a harrowing examination of motherhood, adoption, abortion, and society’s inherent hatred of women and children.

Jan 21, 2025

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Carlos Bonfil

La Jornada

In addition to the precise historical setting and good handling of suspense in a story with surprising twists, there should also be credit given to the two protagonists for their dramatic composition...[Full review in Spanish]

Jan 21, 2025

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Joe C

A stark and jarring lesson in poverty, class, capitalism at its harshest, and unexpected pregnancy. Some forgiveness and redemption peek out but barely. Wonderfully cast, costumed, set and photographed, the time period is a century ago but the issues are still true today.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

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Audience Member

This is a brain stain of a movie. While the filmmaking and acting are excellent, it is a story that did not need to be enacted. There is enough in the world to make us despair, no need to add to it with ugly, cruel images. Unless you love serial killer movies.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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Tom D

Disturbing goth horror thriller based on true events. Well crafted and involving ... I wanted it to stop as much as I wanted it to move on to its climax. Incredible concepts which create a thrilling film experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

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Whispered M

Not Bad, but Not My Favorite

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/09/24

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Christopher N

You will be shaken 💀

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

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Hana M

Wow. Very disturbing yet intriguing storyline. Incredible acting. Wonderful cinematography.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/24

Full Review

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Magnus von Horn

Director

Vic Carmen Sonne

Karoline

Trine Dyrholm

Dagmar

Besir Zeciri

Peter

Ava Knox Martin

Erena

Joachim Fjelstrup

Jørgen

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The Girl with the Needle: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A standout selection from the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE is a dark fairy tale about one woman's search for tenderness and morality in a cruel world. Both eerie and exquisite, writer-director Magnus von Horn's latest film tracks young factory worker Karoline as she struggles to survive in post-WWI Copenhagen. When she ends up unemployed, abandoned and pregnant, the charismatic Dagmar takes her in to help run an underground adoption agency for unwanted children. The two women form an unexpected bond, until a sudden revelation changes everything. Based on a chilling true story, THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE presents a masterful gothic vision with profound contemporary resonance. Denmark's Best International Feature Film entry to the 97th Academy Awards® also features EFA-nominated performances from Vic Carmen Sonne and Trine Dyrholm, gorgeous cinematography by EO's Michał Dymek, and a spellbinding score by Frederikke Hoffmeier (Puce Mary).

Director: Magnus von Horn
Producer: Malene Blenkov, Mariusz Włodarski
Screenwriter: Magnus von Horn, Line Langebek
Distributor: MUBI
Production Co: Nordisk Film
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Danish
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 2024, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $58.9K
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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