Magnus Von Horn’s Palme d’Or-nominated third feature film Pigen med nålen is inspired by the true story of one of Denmark’s most notorious serial killers, Dagmar Overby. Set in Copenhagen after World War I, the film focuses on the devastation caused by the war while addressing themes of poverty, hopelessness, and despair.

Copenhagen, 1919. Karoline, a young worker, struggles to survive. When she becomes pregnant, she meets Dagmar, a charismatic woman who runs an illegal adoption agency. A strong bond forms between the two women, and Karoline accepts a role as her nanny. However, Karoline’s world shatters when she learns the horrifying reality of the grim fate she has unknowingly embraced. Is there a possibility of being good in hell?

The film employs the aesthetics of German Expressionism; it is evident that the director is heavily influenced by Fritz Lang. With high-contrast monochrome images and striking audiovisual aesthetics, Pigen med nålen is a tale of a horrific truth.