What could be more appetizing than a historic fictional film about a female serial killer. The market of true crime shows and films is massive with many followers adhering to it, and for some only it. To give credit “The Girl with the Needle” directed by Magnus Von Horn and written by Magnus Von Horn & Line Langebek focus on the serial killer peripherally. A risk that might sour those fans and consumers and stray away from watching this film.

If they miss out on a masterful display of filmmaking. And one of the best films of 2024, and was fourth on my list of top ten of the year. 

Evil, real pure, concentrated  evil doesn’t approach you with the toxicity and vile like Count Orlock does in Nosferatu, no real evil it comes with a smile and a caring hand at your most vulnerable. And that is what we have here. A serial killer so smooth that we wouldn’t label this film a horror, not its intention to be a horror. The main point of the film is forgiveness and atonement of yourself. That is why we follow Karoline, played marvelously by Vic Carmen Sonne. An actress that is getting awards and accolades in Denmark films. Here we see her play Karoline as a doe-eye weary lower class woman. A person desperate for a taste of happiness and pleasure, but with this tone and setting of the film, even when she gets a taste it comes with unsettling places. Karoline isn’t a heroine for say. She cheats on her husband while he is at war with her boss and gets pregnant hoping that is her ticket to the good life, only to see it all crumble before her eyes. And even at her lowest she decides to kick her war scarred husband who has to wear a mask to conceal his horrific facial injury when he returns to her. It is only after her encounter and diabolical deceivement with Dagmar, one of Denmark’s most notorious serial killers that she begins her quest for atonement that she has caused and atonement to what has befallen her. 

Immediately when watching most of us will recognized the influence of David Lynch’s black and white films “Easerhead” and his pure cinematic triumph “The Elephant Man”. The stark void of color with the mixture of dreamy, harsh surrealism is here and at play. There’s a scene of a carnival freak show that will remind many of those films. The framing, the editing and the cinematography are magnificent, but the acting is what really secures the deal and one of the best films of the year. It’s rare to see all departments of films done in such excellent care. The National Review Board lists it in its top 5 best international films of 2024 and I agree. Bleak, and black and white is a film lover’s tone and this exceeds beyond that. It’s a masterpiece.