‘The Girl with the Needle’ is a 2024 Danish film directed by Magnus von Horn. Based on real events, the film follows Karoline (Vic Carmen Sonne), a struggling young woman who becomes entangled with Dagmar Overbye (Trine Dyrholm), a woman running an “illegal adoption service”.
Shot in black and white, the film creates a visually striking contrast that accentuates the bleakness of post-World War I Copenhagen. The monochrome palette reinforces the historical setting while also amplifying the film’s grim tone (reminiscent of German Expressionist cinema like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari). The movie also reminded me of The Lighthouse (2019), where monochrome photography heightens a sense of claustrophobia and dread.
The cinematography immerses viewers in the film’s world, with gritty textures and restrained camera movement that make the story feel raw. Many shots resemble still photographs, with careful composition that emphasizes isolation, despair, and the oppressive environment of early 20th-century Copenhagen.
Von Horn’s direction builds tension through prolonged silences, intimate close-ups, and slow, deliberate pacing. Von Horn also uses a near-documentary approach, making the story feel uncomfortably real.
Overall, ‘The Girl with the Needle’ is a powerful and unsettling film that offers a profound exploration of a dark historical period, brought to life through exceptional performances and direction.
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