Copenhagen, 1919; a seamstress (Vic Carmen Sonne) becomes pregnant and ends up with a woman (Trine Dyrholm) who harbors a dark secret.

Vaguely inspired by the real-life story of Dagmar Overbye, a serial killer responsible for the deaths of at least nine children. The film is a depiction of squalid social circumstances that make Karoline’s life miserable and provide fertile ground for Dagmar’s operation. The cinematography stunningly blends darkness and beauty, assisted by convincing sets.

Perhaps a tad too much wallowing in misery, but strong performances by the leads, especially Dyrholm.

2024-Denmark-Poland-Sweden. 115 min. B/W. Directed by Magnus von Horn. Screenplay: Magnus von Horn, Line Langebek. Cinematography: Michal Dymek. Music: Frederikke Hoffmeier. Production Design: Jagna Dobesz. Cast: Vic Carmen Sonne (Karoline), Trine Dyrholm (Dagmar), Besir Zeciri (Peter), Joachim Fjelstrup, Tessa Hoder, Avo Knox Martin.

Trivia: Original title: Pigen med nålen.

European Film Awards: Best Composer, Production Designer.

Last word: “Those difficult circumstances are also like horror because it’s a horrible world. We knew that we didn’t want to make a purely social realist film but to approach that world in a creative way. We were inspired by films made [in the 1910s], or images of that time, and trying to recreate that world using elements of German Expressionism, which are like horror movies from the time.” (von Horn, Seventh Row)