A woman uncovers dark secrets in a 1919 Copenhagen adoption agency.

The Girl With the Needle was one of the most talked-about films at Cannes, where it competed for top honours. Directed by Magnus von Horn, this highly anticipated follow-up to his acclaimed Sweat cements his reputation as a masterful filmmaker.

Set in 1919 Copenhagen, the film follows Karoline, a woman down on her luck after her partner fails to return from war, leaving her pregnant from another man and abandoned. Desperate, she turns to Dagmar, a woman who runs a sweet shop that doubles as an adoption agency. As Karoline begins working for Dagmar, she gradually uncovers the shocking reality behind the business.

Inspired by true events, von Horn crafts a respectful yet unflinching portrayal of a dark chapter in history. The film’s meticulous period setting feels eerily contemporary, making its themes resonate even more powerfully. Vic Carmen Sonne and Trine Dyrholm deliver multilayered performances that bring depth and complexity to their characters, making them leap off the screen.

The Girl With the Needle is a powerful, thought-provoking film that challenges our understanding of morality in a way that few others can.