The Girl Without Hands

The Girl Without Hands

Year: 2017

Runtime: 76 min

Language: French

Director: Sébastien Laudenbach

Echo Score: 74
Animation

A desperate miller makes a deal, sacrificing his daughter’s well-being for a chance at wealth. She then discovers she has no hands and must face the darkness that resulted from her father's bargain and his selfish actions. The film is a haunting animated tale exploring themes of desperation, consequence, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Dark
Happy ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Girl Without Hands (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Girl Without Hands (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film's events unfold in a timeless fairy tale setting, blending elements of folk lore and fantasy. Themes of good versus evil, love, and sacrifice are prevalent, transcending specific historical timings. It reflects a world where magic and moral lessons intertwine.

Location

the mill, the forest, the garden, the castle, the river, the abandoned house

The mill serves as the initial setting where the miller makes a deal with the Devil, leading to turmoil in his family. The forest becomes a place of refuge for the young girl, where she discovers the garden of luscious pears. The castle is where she finds love with the prince, and the river plays a pivotal role as a source of guidance and magic. The abandoned house becomes their new home, symbolizing hope and a fresh start.

🏡 Mill 🌲 Forest 🍐 Garden 🏰 Castle 🌊 River 🏚️ Abandoned House

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:29

Main Characters – The Girl Without Hands (2017)

Meet the key characters of The Girl Without Hands (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

The Young Girl

The young girl exhibits remarkable resilience and purity throughout her trials. Despite the horrific demands of the Devil and personal sacrifices, she remains hopeful and loving. Her spirit is unwavering, as she transforms her adversities into strength, ultimately rising to reclaim her life.

👧 Young Girl 💪 Resilience 🌟 Purity

The Miller

A pivotal figure whose greed leads to dire consequences for his family. The miller's decisions set the tragic events into motion, reflecting the devastating effects of temptation and desire for wealth. His character serves as a cautionary tales about the perils of unchecked ambition.

👨‍🌾 Miller 💰 Greed ⚖️ Consequences

The Prince

The prince embodies bravery and loyalty, demonstrating his dedication to the young girl and their child. His fondness for the girl and his drive to protect his family highlight his strength of character. He faces tremendous challenges, ultimately pursuing love and truth.

🤴 Prince ❤️ Loyalty 🏋️‍♂️ Bravery

The Devil

The Devil is a manipulative figure who exploits the miller's greed and ruthlessly seeks to claim the young girl. His character represents the darker aspects of human desire and the fight against malevolence. Ultimately, he manifests as a lesson in the importance of resilience and strength against evil.

👿 Devil 😈 Manipulation 🌪️ Malevolence

The Gardener

A supportive character who shows kindness and aids the young girl in times of need. His loyalty and wisdom present him as a vital ally against the forces of darkness, emphasizing the value of friendship. The gardener plays a crucial role in the survival and success of the young girl and her family.

👨‍🌾 Gardener 🤝 Support 🍀 Kindness

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:29

Major Themes – The Girl Without Hands (2017)

Explore the central themes of The Girl Without Hands (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Sacrifice

Sacrifice is a core theme illustrated by the young girl's journey, as she willingly gives up her hands to save herself. The love between her and the prince also involves sacrifices, highlighting the lengths individuals go for family and love, especially under the manipulations of evil. In the end, it showcases resilience and the importance of standing up against oppression.

👑 Love

Love blossoms between the young girl and the prince, serving as a driving force behind their actions. Their relationship symbolizes hope and the triumph of love over adversity. The narrative emphasizes that love not only nurtures but also has the power to overcome great obstacles, even in the face of betrayal and deception.

🌌 Good vs Evil

The battle between good and evil is epitomized by the young girl's struggle against the Devil. The story portrays her as a symbol of purity and strength, in stark contrast to the manipulative and sinister nature of the Devil. It shows that goodness ultimately prevails, as the young girl, with support from loved ones, triumphs over malevolence.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:29

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Grim Fairy Tale Journeys like The Girl Without Hands

Haunting animated tales where characters endure magical trials to reclaim their lives.Discover movies like The Girl Without Hands that are dark, animated retellings of folklore. These films combine stunning visuals with poignant stories of survival, magical adversity, and the enduring strength found in hope, perfect for viewers who appreciate mature fairy tales.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often follow a clear, archetypal path: an innocent character is thrust into a cruel, magical world by a grave injustice. They must then navigate a series of arduous, often surreal trials, facing both external evil and internal despair, before achieving a hard-won but deeply fulfilling resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique ability to marry the aesthetic beauty of animation with the emotional weight and dark themes of traditional stories. They share a specific mood—simultaneously grim and hopeful—and a focus on character endurance against magical forces.

Stories of Triumph After Trauma like The Girl Without Hands

Stories of profound suffering met with even greater human resilience and hope.If you liked The Girl Without Hands, explore movies about characters overcoming unthinkable hardship. These emotionally heavy stories follow journeys of survival and resilience, where the climax is a deeply earned triumph over adversity, offering a powerful and hopeful viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a character's life being shattered by a traumatic event, leading to a period of isolation and struggle. The core of the story is their internal and external battle to not just survive, but to heal, adapt, and ultimately forge a new, meaningful existence, often finding strength they never knew they had.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects films through their shared emotional arc: a descent into profound hardship followed by a difficult, authentic ascent. They are united by a heavy emotional weight, a dark tone that is ultimately pierced by hope, and a focus on the indomitable nature of the human spirit.

Unlock the Full Story of The Girl Without Hands

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The Girl Without Hands Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Girl Without Hands, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Girl Without Hands Summary

The Girl Without Hands Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Girl Without Hands 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 Without Hands Timeline

The Girl Without Hands Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Girl Without Hands Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Girl Without Hands

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The Girl Without Hands (2017) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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