By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Director: Amalie Næsby Fick
Starring: Asta Kamma August | August Mjelva-Aaen | Julian Brix | Sidse Babett Knudsen | Sofie Gråbøl | Viktor Garrison
Original language title: Dobbeltfejl
Year: 2026
Running time: 105
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36982237/
Michael says: “Sidse Babett Knudsen (‘Borgen’, LIMBO, CLUB ZERO) leads a cast of fierce, conflicted women and teens in Amalie Næsby Fick’s debut feature our of Denmark, WHAT LIES BETWEEN US. Those familiar with Kate Bush may know the song, ‘Mother Stands for Comfort,’ which includes the line, ‘Mother will hide the murderer,’ pointing to the old adage that says mother will do anything to protect their children. When Anne Sofie (Knudsen) is called upon to do just that when her teen-aged son Frederick (Viktor Garrison in a tough, dramatic role) is one of two boys accused of sexually assaulting a younger boy. The alleged victim is also the son of Anne Sofie’s best friend, Sarah (Sofie Gråbøl). The second accused is Sebastian (Lasse Steen) a new kid in town with a troubled past. His mother, Ulrikke (Asta Kamma August) is very young and has difficulty reigning in her son’s anger.
“The performances by the three mothers, and the three children are superb, and the story, based on a novel, is strong propelling the audience from one revelation to the next in the manner of a thriller. An added element of Frederick and Sebastian being part of a tennis tournament, and Anne Sofie, being a former tennis coach, adds a welcome element of physicality to the film, and is reminiscent of the similarly-themed, but markedly different JULIE KEEPS QUIET. Gut-wrenching and absorbing, the story probably goes one step too far as it spirals to its conclusion, but it was definitely a powerful viewing. 4 1/2 cats
“Screened at TIFF Lightbox, Friday, 9/11, director, Knudsen and August in attendance”
Chris says: “If you’re longing to see Sidse Babett Knudsen commanding the screen as a morally-conflicted matriarch, have I got the movie for you. One of my favorite actresses, Knudsen is known for work both in her homeland of Denmark (Susanne Bier’s AFTER THE WEDDING, as lead of the long-running television series BORGEN) and abroad (the reluctant dominatrix of Peter Strickland’s THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, the forever-smiling instructor in Ben Sharrock’s LIMBO.)
“This incisive thriller provides her with an especially juicy leading part. As realtor Anne Sofie, she seems to juggle a demanding job and raising two teens almost effortlessly. She’s good friends with two other mothers whose kids attend her son’s school: longtime friend Sarah (Sofie Gråbøl) and single mother/newcomer to the neighborhood Ulrikke (Asta Kamma August). Anne Sofie and Ulrikke’s sons are both 14; Sarah’s is two years younger. One evening, the mothers convince the two older boys to allow the younger one to hang out with them. The following day, Sarah’s son accuses the other boys of sexually assaulting him. They deny it and the viewer suspects one of the three boys is lying. This ordeal tears the mothers apart as speculation runs rampant among each of them, leading to further accusations, rumors and, after some crucial information is revealed to one of them, outright lies to protect their own child.
“A good companion piece to the recent German film THE TEACHERS LOUNGE, this benefits from an even more intimate scope. While we’ve seen a lot of dramas centered around parenting and school, director Amalie Næsby Fick excels at creating a lived-in world that’s instantly recognizable but also intricately detailed enough to give one a real sense of both place and the various dynamics between these characters. However, Knudsen has the most prominent role and she is at turns admirable, relatable, exasperating and chilling. One’s sympathy towards her is bound to fluctuate wildly. While the narrative shifts into some unexpected and potentially outlandish phases, Knudsen’s performance is assured and seamless (even if Anne Sofie is anything but.) 4.5 cats”