The Girl with the Needle

The Girl with the Needle

Year: 2024

Runtime: 1 h 55 m

Language: danish

Director: Magnus von Horn

Echo Score: 83
Drama

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Girl with the Needle yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

The Girl with the Needle (2024) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Girl with the Needle (2024), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

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.

Amidst her turmoil, an emotional Karoline attempts a dangerous abortion at the local baths but is halted by an elderly woman named Dagmar and a young girl named Erena. Dagmar assists Karoline with her injuries and encourages her to bring her baby to her sweets shop, where she secretly finds homes for unwanted infants. Later, Karoline unexpectedly encounters Peter working at a local circus, and they rekindle their life together. However, Peter’s mental state is precarious, plagued by violent outbursts stemming from his trauma.

Eventually, Karoline gives birth to a daughter, but their plans for family life are hindered. Peter wishes to keep the baby, reflecting on his loss of fatherhood, but Karoline struggles to provide for her child and takes her to Dagmar’s shop due to financial constraints. In a desperate move, she offers herself as a wet nurse and begins residing at the sweets shop. During her time there, Karoline bonds with Erena, occasionally nursing her, while also finding companionship with Dagmar, who seems to understand her feelings of despair and guilt. The two women, in their shared grief, turn to recreational ether use, further blurring their reality.

Problematic dynamics arise when Dagmar accepts an abandoned baby boy under her care while Frida grows suspicious of Dagmar’s operations. One evening, things take a dark turn when Erena attempts to smother the baby boy after being rejected for breastfeeding. In a heart-stopping moment, Karoline intervenes just in time. The following day, Dagmar takes action that horrifies Karoline—she murders the baby boy, citing a desire to protect him from a cruel world. This revelation leads to a painfully intense confrontation between Karoline and Dagmar, where Dagmar admits to killing Karoline’s daughter, claiming innocence cannot survive in their harsh reality. As their relationship spirals, Dagmar begins to manipulate Karoline further, heavily dosing her with ether.

Frida, alarmed by the unsettling turn of events, learns of Dagmar’s dark services and witnesses Karoline in a compromised state. Accidents compound when Dagmar attempts to persuade Karoline to end the baby’s life and a struggle ensues, resulting in tragedy. Later, a distraught mother returns for her baby, threatening police action, which plunges Dagmar into panic, leading Karoline to jump from a window in her attempt to escape the chaos.

Eventually, the police apprehend Dagmar, sending Erena to an orphanage while Karoline, having survived her fall, seeks solace with Peter at the traveling circus. Their reunion is filled with emotional depth as they support one another through Karoline’s withdrawal from ether. While she conceals the harrowing truth of her child’s fate from Peter, Dagmar faces justice for her horrific acts in court, all while protecting Karoline from being implicated and justifying her own twisted rationale in the face of social neglect. In a poignant culmination of their story, Karoline later adopts Erena, seeking to forge a new beginning against the backdrop of their intertwined, painful histories.

Last Updated: February 13, 2025 at 10:13

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of The Girl with the Needle?

Still wondering what the ending of The Girl with the Needle (2024) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the film’s haunting conclusion, Karoline chooses to adopt Erena, the girl she once cared for alongside her mother, Dagmar, who was revealed to be a serial killer responsible for murdering infants, including Karoline’s own newborn daughter. After enduring unimaginable trauma—losing her child, confronting the brutal truth of Dagmar’s murders, and her own near-fatal attempt to escape her pain—Karoline finds a fragile sense of hope in creating a new family with Erena. This act of adopting her symbolizes a pursuit of connection and healing, making up for the tragic loss she suffered and perhaps offering Erena the stability and love she desperately needs. Throughout the film, themes of societal repression, women’s suffering, and the horrors hidden behind the facades of care are explored, culminating in Karoline’s decision to give Erena a chance at life, despite all the darkness she has faced. The ending leaves viewers with a sense of quiet resilience, emphasizing that even amid despair, compassion and human connection can offer a faint but vital light. Ultimately, Karoline’s choice to take Erena under her wing signifies her desire to break free from her painful past and foster a future rooted in love and acceptance, in stark contrast to the horrors she has witnessed and endured.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

Unlock the Full Story of The Girl with the Needle

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Girl with the Needle in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Girl with the Needle is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Girl with the Needle Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Girl with the Needle with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Girl with the Needle Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Girl with the Needle

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Girl with the Needle. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Girl with the Needle

The Girl with the Needle Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of The Girl with the Needle? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

The Girl with the Needle Ending Explained

More About The Girl with the Needle

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Girl with the Needle: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Girl with the Needle

Similar Movies to The Girl with the Needle

Discover movies like The Girl with the Needle that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.