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The Girl with the Needle (2024): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Girl with the Needle (2024) movie poster

The Girl with the Needle is a 2024 drama directed by Magnus von Horn, starring Vic Carmen Sonne as Karoline, Trine Dyrholm and Besir Zeciri. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $556,124 worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
worldwide gross
$556.1K
award nomination
1
Echo Score
83
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The Girl with the Needle (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Director
Magnus von Horn
Genre
Drama
Original language
Danish
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Girl with the Needle About?

The premise of The Girl with the Needle without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Karoline, a young factory worker, faces abandonment and pregnancy while trying to escape poverty in post–World War I Copenhagen. She encounters Dagmar, a charismatic woman who runs a discreet adoption agency disguised as a candy store, assisting struggling mothers in finding foster homes for their children.

The Girl with the Needle Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • female nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • 1920s
  • pregnancy
  • copenhagen denmark
  • 1910s
  • adoption
  • circus
  • seamstress
  • missing in action
  • childbirth
+38 more
  • war injury
  • husband wife relationship
  • abortion attempt
  • factory
  • inspired by a true story
  • candy shop
  • breast feeding
  • female full frontal nudity
  • angry women
  • female pubic hair
  • female frontal nudity
  • brief female frontal nudity
  • pubic hair
  • female protagonist
  • 20th century
  • denmark
  • candy
  • husband returns from war
  • cleft lip
  • planner
  • getting high
  • braiding hair
  • nipple discharge
  • infanticide
  • police
  • notebook
  • court
  • orphanage
  • cheating wife
  • male boss female employee affair
  • missing husband
  • male employer female employee sex
  • ww1
  • female factory worker
  • morphine
  • factory worker
  • ether
  • disfigurement
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Cast & crew

The Girl with the Needle Cast & Characters

Vic Carmen Sonne leads the cast as Karoline, with Trine Dyrholm as Dagmar and Besir Zeciri as Peter. Directed by Magnus von Horn; 4 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Magnus von Horn

More films directed by Magnus von Horn, best-rated first: Sweat, The Here After and Without Snow.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Girl with the Needle Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Girl with the Needle 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

83 /100

The Girl with the Needle Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s strongest quality lies in its masterful visual and technical execution. Drawing on a stark black-and-white palette and meticulously composed framing, the direction and production design create an unrelenting atmosphere that underscores its historical setting. Coupled with assured editing and a deliberate pacing, this aesthetic framework amplifies the film’s harrowing tone. Although the narrative’s intensity may prove challenging for some viewers, these unified artistic choices result in a cohesive and impactful thriller. Overall, the film delivers a powerfully immersive experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of cinematography, the film excels through its carefully framed black-and-white imagery and precise composition. The stark visual palette and controlled camera movement underscore the period setting while heightening the narrative’s intensity. Editorial rhythm supports each scene’s emotional weight, and the production design complements the austere aesthetic. These elements collectively establish a distinctive visual identity that anchors the film’s unsettling tone.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character depth, the film benefits from commanding performances that convey complex emotional states. Lead and supporting actors use nuanced expressions and measured physicality to reflect trauma and interpersonal tension. The palpable chemistry among key roles enhances the film’s psychological impact. Ultimately, these layered portrayals deliver significant emotional resonance that underscores the narrative’s bleak themes.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the narrative unfolds with deliberate slowness that reinforces its unsettling atmosphere. The script maintains clear thematic focus despite occasional meandering sequences, delivering moments of unpredictability that sustain engagement. Roots in true events lend authenticity, while measured revelations amplify tension. Overall, the story presents a cohesive and thought-provoking arc that demands attentive viewing.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film crafts a haunting atmosphere through its cold tonal palette and immersive sound design. The sparse score and ambient effects underscore the emotional weight of each scene. Visual and auditory elements work in tandem to evoke persistent unease, reinforcing the narrative’s harrowing quality. This cohesive sensory approach deeply roots the viewer in the film’s bleak world.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the film’s intense and distressing content may limit its appeal for multiple viewings. While thought-provoking themes and intricate craftsmanship invite analysis, the overwhelming atmosphere and relentless tension can prove taxing on repeat watches. As a result, the film offers more of a singular, impactful experience than routine replay value.

Plot

The Girl with the Needle Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Girl with the Needle from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Copenhagen, 1919: In a desperate situation, Karoline, unable to apply for widow’s compensation due to her husband Peter’s absence and lack of official death declaration, finds herself forced into a life of hardship. Living in poor conditions, she works as a seamstress alongside her friend Frida at a local factory. Soon after, Peter, who has suffered terrible injuries from the war, unexpectedly returns. By this time, Karoline has developed feelings for her boss Jørgen and is even pregnant, leaving her torn between her past with Peter and a seemingly brighter future with Jørgen. However, Jørgen’s mother disapproves of their relationship, adding to Karoline’s struggles.

Full summary

The whole story of The Girl with the Needle, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Girl with the Needle Box Office

The Girl with the Needle grossed $556,124 worldwide. $112,199 came from the US and Canada and $443,925 (80%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$556.1K

US & Canada
$112.2K
International
$443.9K
US & Canada 20% Rest of the world 80%
Awards

The Girl with the Needle Awards & Nominations

The Girl with the Needle was nominated for 1 Oscar.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

The Girl with the Needle Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 2 trailers, 2 clips and 4 featurettes.

All 8 videos
Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer #2 [Subtitled]
  • Clip Clip [Subtitled]
  • Clip Official Clip [Subtitled]
  • Featurette How Magnus Von Horn Created A Contemporarily Relevant Film Set 100 Years Ago
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Girl with the Needle?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which year is 'The Girl with the Needle' set?

Cars

Cars in The Girl with the Needle

3 cars on screen, including the 2002 Mazda 6 and the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice.

  • 2002 Mazda 6 in The Girl with the Needle 2002 Mazda 6 Main role
  • 1991 Chevrolet Caprice in The Girl with the Needle 1991 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • Nissan unknown in The Girl with the Needle Nissan unknown Background role
Details

The Girl with the Needle Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “La Jeune Femme à l'aiguille” and “藏針女子”.

Also known as
  • La Jeune Femme à l'aiguille
  • 藏針女子
  • 바늘을 든 소녀
  • La Jeune femme à l’aiguille
  • Dziewczyna z igłą
  • Dívka s jehlicí
  • 拿针的女孩
  • Şişli Kız
  • La chica de la aguja
  • Das Mädchen mit der Nadel
  • A Garota da Agulha
  • Tüdruk nõelaga
+11 more
  • Flickan med nålen
  • Девушка с иглой
  • 帶針的女孩
  • La noia de l'agulla
  • A Rapariga da Agulha
  • הנערה עם המחט
  • دختری با سوزن
  • Το Κορίτσι Με Τη Βελόνα
  • ガール・ウィズ・ニードル
  • Lány a tűvel
  • Момичето с иглата

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FAQ

The Girl with the Needle FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Girl with the Needle, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Girl with the Needle?

The Girl with the Needle runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was The Girl with the Needle released?

The Girl with the Needle was released on December 6, 2024.

Who directed The Girl with the Needle?

The Girl with the Needle was directed by Magnus von Horn.

More films by Magnus von Horn

Who is in the cast of The Girl with the Needle?

The Girl with the Needle stars Vic Carmen Sonne as Karoline, Trine Dyrholm as Dagmar and Besir Zeciri as Peter, among 4 credited actors.

How much did The Girl with the Needle make at the box office?

The Girl with the Needle grossed $556,124 worldwide ($112,199 domestic, $443,925 international).

How is The Girl with the Needle rated?

The Girl with the Needle has 7.5/10 on IMDb and 82 on Metacritic.

Was The Girl with the Needle nominated for any awards?

The Girl with the Needle received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The Girl with the Needle have a post-credit scene?

No. The Girl with the Needle has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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