The Girl with the Needle Christian Review
There are movies that entertain, movies that make you think, and then there are movies like The Girl with the Needle, which reach deep into your soul and demand you confront the darkest parts of yourself and the world around you. Directed by Magnus von Horn, this haunting period drama thrusts its audience into the grim streets of 1920s Copenhagen, where the air is thick with moral ambiguity and every shadow seems to whisper of human frailty. This isn’t a story for the faint-hearted, but it is one for those willing to grapple with its profound, unsettling questions.
A City of Shadows and Sin
The setting of The Girl with the Needle is more than just a backdrop; it’s a character in itself. Copenhagen in the 1920s is presented as a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, darkened alleyways, and suffocating interiors. The black-and-white cinematography renders it both eerily timeless and claustrophobically present. You can almost feel the damp air, the weight of the shadows pressing in from every corner. It’s beautiful, yes, but not in a comforting way. This beauty is sharp-edged, meant to cut and unsettle.
For a Christian viewer, this environment resonates on a spiritual level. The darkness feels tangible, almost alive, much like the sin and brokenness described in Scripture. Romans 3:23 comes to mind: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Here, the city itself seems to embody that universal fallenness, a place where human depravity festers and thrives.
The Burden of Witnessing Evil
This film doesn’t shy away from depicting evil in its rawest, most unvarnished form. The crimes at the heart of the story—rooted in real events—are horrifying, and von Horn refuses to let us look away. Yet, this isn’t gratuitous. The violence and suffering aren’t there to shock or titillate but to force us to reckon with the moral and spiritual decay that allows such atrocities to happen.
As Christians, this can be a challenging experience. We’re called to be in the world but not of it, and watching something so steeped in darkness can feel like stepping too close to the edge. But here’s the thing: the Bible doesn’t sanitize evil either. From Cain and Abel to the crucifixion of Christ, Scripture confronts us with the reality of sin and its devastating consequences. The Girl with the Needle does the same, albeit through a secular lens. It’s a reminder that the world is not as it should be, that we live in a fallen creation desperately in need of redemption.
Grace in the Gutter
For all its darkness, The Girl with the Needle isn’t a film without hope. Von Horn approaches his characters with a kind of quiet compassion, allowing even the most broken among them moments of grace. These aren’t sweeping, Hollywood-style redemptions. They’re small, fragile, and hard-won, but they’re there.
This is where the film’s spiritual resonance is most profound. Grace, by its very nature, is undeserved. It’s a gift, not a reward. And in The Girl with the Needle, we see glimpses of that grace breaking through the darkness. It’s messy and imperfect, but isn’t that true of grace in our own lives? Romans 5:20 tells us, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” The film echoes this truth, albeit in a way that feels more whispered than proclaimed.
Performances That Cut to the Bone
The heart of The Girl with the Needle lies in its performances, particularly those of Vic Carmen Sonne and Trine Dyrholm. Sonne’s portrayal of the protagonist is raw and unflinching, capturing both her vulnerability and her quiet resilience. Dyrholm, meanwhile, delivers a performance that’s equal parts chilling and deeply human, embodying the moral complexities of her character with remarkable nuance.
These performances don’t just bring the story to life; they give it soul. They force us to see these characters not as archetypes but as people—flawed, complicated, and desperately seeking something they can’t quite name. For a Christian viewer, this is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity. No matter how far someone has fallen, they are still made in the image of God. And no matter how dark their story, they are not beyond His reach.
Light in the Darkness
The film’s ending is perhaps its most surprising element. After nearly two hours of unrelenting tension and despair, it concludes on a note of justice and redemption. The wicked are punished, and the innocent are given a second chance. Is it a bit idealized? Sure. But in a world where true justice often feels elusive, it’s a balm for the soul.
For Christians, this ending resonates deeply. It reflects the ultimate hope we have in Christ—that evil will not have the final word, that justice will be served, and that redemption is always possible. It’s a fairy-tale ending, yes, but one rooted in a deeper truth. As Revelation 21:4 reminds us, there will come a day when “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”
A Period Piece with a Modern Soul
Though set in the early 20th century, The Girl with the Needle feels strikingly relevant. Its exploration of loneliness, moral decay, and the search for meaning speaks to our own time as much as it does to the era it depicts. Magnus von Horn’s direction is masterful, balancing historical authenticity with a modern sensibility that makes the story feel immediate and urgent.
This duality is part of what makes the film so compelling. It’s a period piece, yes, but it’s also a mirror held up to our own lives and culture. It asks us to consider how much—or how little—has changed in the past century. And for Christians, it’s a reminder that the human heart, apart from God, remains as restless and broken as ever.
Why This Film Matters
So why should Christians watch a film like The Girl with the Needle? It’s not an easy watch, and it’s certainly not for everyone. But for those willing to engage with its themes, it offers a profound and deeply spiritual experience. It forces us to confront the reality of evil, not as an abstract concept but as something that lives and breathes in the world around us. It challenges us to think about justice, redemption, and the nature of grace. And it reminds us that even in the darkest corners of history, there is still light to be found.
This isn’t a film you watch lightly or forget easily. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, gnaws at you, and ultimately, leaves you changed. For all its darkness, The Girl with the Needle is a film that points, however faintly, toward the light.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
Raw, beautiful, and deeply unsettling, The Girl with the Needle is a film that challenges its audience to wrestle with the big questions. It’s not for everyone, but for those willing to dive into its depths, it’s an experience that will resonate long after the credits roll.
