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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Girl Without Hands 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!

Timeline – The Girl Without Hands (2017)

Trace every key event in The Girl Without Hands (2017) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Miller's Pact

A miller encounters the Devil, who entices him with the promise of wealth in exchange for something behind his mill. The miller, eager for riches, agrees to the deal without knowing the consequences it will entail.

2

Unexpected Wealth

Upon returning home after his pact, the miller is astonished to find liquid gold flowing through his mill. He soon discovers that his daughter is the source of this wealth, playfully perched in an apple tree, blissfully unaware of the implications.

the mill
3

The Devil's Return

Years pass with the family living in luxury, but eventually the Devil returns to claim the miller's daughter. He orders her family to confine her to the apple tree when he finds her in pristine condition, leading to her mother’s tragic demise in an attempt to rescue her.

the apple tree
4

A Horrific Demand

In a rage, the Devil demands that the miller sever his daughter's hands, seeing her as still unclaimable. The young girl submits to this horrific act willingly, showcasing her resilience despite the grim circumstances.

5

A Bewildering Escape

After the loss of her hands, the girl cleans her stumps with her tears, remaining unclaimable by the Devil. Eventually, filled with resentment and pain, she flees the mill in search of freedom and hope.

the mill
6

The Enchanted Garden

As she wanders through the forest, the young girl discovers a beautiful garden full of luscious pears yet finds herself unable to cross the river that separates her from it. The goddess of the river intervenes, guiding her safely to the garden owned by a kind prince.

the garden
7

Blossoming Romance

Welcomed by the prince and his gardener into their castle, a tender romance emerges between the young girl and the prince. Their love deepens and culminates with the prince gifting her two golden prosthetic hands as a symbol of their bond.

the castle
8

War and Separation

The peace is shattered when the prince must lead his army into battle, leaving the young girl, now pregnant, under the gardener's care. She faces the challenges of motherhood alone, feeling the weight of her situation.

9

A Deceitful Note

After giving birth to a healthy son, the young girl learns that her golden hands are unusable for caring for her child. Meanwhile, the Devil deceives the prince with a false note implying that their child is a monster, setting off a chain of tragic events.

10

The Gardener's Help

Outraged by the fabricated order for execution, the gardener helps the young girl and her child escape, providing her with enchanted seeds. They follow the river upstream, where the goddess of the river offers her guidance to an abandoned house.

the river
11

Reclamation and Renewal

In the abandoned house, the young girl and her child thrive, cultivating life with the magical seeds while she discards her worthless golden hands into the river. This symbolizes a fresh start and the rejection of her past.

the abandoned house
12

The Prince's Return

The prince returns home from a disastrous war and discovers that the gardener had lied about the execution orders. Upon learning the truth, he sets out to find the young girl and their son, determined to reunite his family.

13

A Father’s Grief

The prince learns of the miller's despair, discovering that he had hanged himself after believing his daughter was lost forever. While scavenging through the remnants of the mill, he retrieves the young girl's discarded golden hands.

the mill
14

Confrontation with the Devil

At last, the prince finds the young girl in her new home. However, their reunion is threatened by the Devil, who appears in the form of a raven and targets their son. A confrontation ensues, revealing the Devil's relentless pursuit.

the young girl's home
15

The Final Battle

In a climactic moment, the young girl slays the Devil, who has transformed back into a pig. With his defeat, the couple finally regains their freedom, choosing a life of adventure and love together as a family instead of returning to their previous lives.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 16:34

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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.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Girl Without Hands

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