Magnus von Horn's The Girl with the Needle is set to hit U.S. theaters on December 6th, 2024, positioning itself as a strong contender for awards season. The Danish film, which is the country’s official submission for Best International Feature at the 97th Academy Awards, has already garnered significant attention following its premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it earned rave reviews for its bold storytelling and unsettling subject matter.
The film, which also had high-profile screenings at the Toronto and Chicago International Film Festivals, is a striking period drama set in post-World War I Copenhagen. It stars Vic Carmen Sonne (Godland, Holiday) as Karoline, a young factory worker who faces dire circumstances when she finds herself pregnant, abandoned, and out of work. Desperate and vulnerable, Karoline turns to Dagmar, played by the venerable Trine Dyrholm (Queen of Hearts), a charismatic woman who runs an underground adoption agency. But as Karoline becomes more entangled in Dagmar’s world, she uncovers a disturbing truth about the operation.
Directed by von Horn, whose previous works The Here After and Sweat have earned him international recognition, The Girl with the Needle is inspired by true events. Its harrowing portrayal of desperation and the lengths to which women were forced to go in order to survive in post-war Europe adds a sobering relevance to the story.
In a season filled with heavyweights, The Girl with the Needle is quickly emerging as a dark horse in the awards race, thanks to its captivating performances, stunning direction, and provocative subject matter. As the December release date approaches, it remains to be seen whether the film will resonate with Academy voters, but early signs suggest it could be a formidable contender in the international category—and perhaps beyond.
The Girl with the Needle will open in select theaters on December 6th, 2024.
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