Set in Copenhagen during the early 1920s, young factory worker Karoline (Vic Carmen Sonne) struggles to survive a harsh post-WWI climate. She loses her job and is left abandoned, all while with child. When all hope seems lost, she meets the charismatic Dagmar (Trine Dyrholm) who gracefully offers her refuge and takes her in to help run an underground adoption agency for unwanted children. Karoline is able to find new purpose and forsees a brighter future, thanks to her new companion Dagmar.

As Karoline’s initial hope turns to unease, a shocking revelation forces her to confront the fine line between compassion and exploitation in a world bereft of kindness. With stunning cinematography by Michał Dymek and an evocative score by Frederikke Hoffmeier, writer-director Magnus von Horn crafts a visually striking gothic fable inspired by true events. Nominated as Denmark’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, this gripping drama features gripping performances by Vic Carmen Sonne and Trine Dyrholm, making The Girl with the Needle both a chilling period piece and a raw reflection on timeless themes of humanity.