A Danish psychological thriller has become one of the most watched titles on Netflix worldwide, reaching second place on the platform’s global chart for non English films within days of its release. The film, Den hemmelige kvinde, or The Secret Woman, drew about 11.4 million views over its opening weekend.
The production stars Claes Bang and Natalie Madueno, and follows a woman whose settled life is upended when a stranger arrives making an unexpected claim. It premiered on the service in late August.
Reviews have been mixed, with several critics calling the story uneven even as audiences turned out in large numbers. The gap between critical reception and viewing figures has itself become part of the conversation around the film.
The result places another Danish production on a global stage that Nordic crime drama has occupied for more than a decade, spanning television series and feature films. Danish storytelling in the genre continues to travel well beyond the country’s borders.
For the Danish film industry, a strong showing on an international streaming chart offers visibility that is difficult to secure through traditional distribution alone. Producers have increasingly looked to streaming platforms to reach audiences around the world.
