The Danish Girl (2015)

Last updated:
August 31, 2025

The Danish Girl (2015) is a poignant biographical drama directed by Tom Hooper. The film is loosely inspired by the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of gender confirmation surgery, and the deep, complicated love between her and Gerda Wegener.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Beginning: A Love and a Favor

The film opens in 1920s Copenhagen. Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne), a successful painter, lives happily with his wife, Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander), a struggling portrait artist. One day, Gerda asks Einar to pose in women’s stockings and shoes for a portrait when her female model cancels. This innocent request awakens something deep inside Einar. What begins as a favor gradually becomes an exploration of Einar’s suppressed identity.

The Emergence of Lili

Einar soon adopts the persona of “Lili,” presenting as a woman in public, first as a game but quickly with real sincerity. Gerda initially treats it as playful but becomes unsettled when she realizes Einar is more comfortable as Lili than himself. Gerda’s paintings of Lili gain artistic recognition, bringing her the career success she long sought.

Strains in the Marriage

As Einar transitions more frequently into Lili, Gerda feels torn between supporting her spouse’s authentic self and mourning the loss of the man she married. Their marriage becomes strained but remains deeply rooted in love. Gerda’s devotion is central to the story; even as her partner changes beyond recognition, her loyalty to Lili endures.

Seeking Help and Rejection

At the time, medical professionals treated Lili’s identity as mental illness. Einar is subjected to humiliating examinations and dangerous diagnoses, including being told he might be schizophrenic. Amid the rejection, Lili insists that she is not sick but simply herself.

The Surgery in Dresden

Lili eventually learns of a pioneering doctor in Dresden, Germany, who is willing to perform experimental gender confirmation surgeries. Despite the risks, she undergoes the first operation, which removes her male organs. Encouraged by her progress, she opts for a second surgery that would allow her body to be fully reconstructed as female—an extremely dangerous and untested procedure at the time.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Lili undergoes her second surgery, fully committing to her transformation despite the fatal risks. Sadly, her body cannot endure the procedure, and she dies shortly after. Her death devastates Gerda, yet it also represents Lili’s final liberation—she dies as the person she truly was, not trapped in a life that denied her identity.

The film closes with a poignant image: Gerda visiting a cliffside with Lili’s friend Hans, releasing a scarf into the wind. It drifts upward gracefully, symbolizing Lili’s freedom at last. This bittersweet ending balances tragedy with the triumph of living authentically, even if briefly.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Danish Girl does not include any post-credits scenes. The story concludes with the emotional cliffside farewell, leaving audiences with a sense of reflection and closure.

Type of Movie

The film is a biographical romantic drama, blending historical context with intimate character-driven storytelling. It deals with themes of identity, love, sacrifice, and self-discovery.

Cast

Eddie Redmayne as Einar Wegener / Lili Elbe
Alicia Vikander as Gerda Wegener
Matthias Schoenaerts as Hans Axgil
Amber Heard as Ulla
Sebastian Koch as Dr. Kurt Warnekros
Ben Whishaw as Henrik

Film Music and Composer

The music was composed by Alexandre Desplat, known for his emotionally resonant and elegant scores. The soundtrack underlines the tenderness, pain, and transformation of Lili’s journey, often with delicate piano and orchestral arrangements.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed primarily in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as Brussels, Belgium, and London, UK. Filming in Copenhagen added authenticity to the story, capturing the very city where Einar and Gerda lived and worked.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Award: Best Supporting Actress (Alicia Vikander – won)
Nominations included Best Actor (Eddie Redmayne), Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design.
Vikander’s performance was widely praised, cementing her place as one of the most respected actresses of her generation.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Eddie Redmayne worked closely with transgender women to prepare for the role, seeking to portray Lili with authenticity and respect.
Alicia Vikander’s role was originally offered to Charlize Theron and Gwyneth Paltrow before she was cast.
Director Tom Hooper collaborated extensively with historians to balance fact and dramatization.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on the 2000 novel The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff, which itself was inspired by the real-life story of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. However, the novel takes creative liberties, blending fact with fiction to craft a more intimate narrative.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No alternate endings have been released, but some deleted material included more of Gerda’s artistic rise and expanded interactions between Lili and Henrik. These were trimmed to keep the focus tight on Lili’s personal journey.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While the film is adapted from Ebershoff’s novel, it does not fully adhere to historical fact. The real Lili Elbe’s life was more complex, and certain characters, like Hans, are fictionalized or amalgamated figures. The film streamlines events into a romantic and dramatic narrative rather than a strict biography.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Einar first posing in women’s clothing for Gerda’s painting.
The debut of Lili at a party, where she is admired and flirted with.
Lili’s devastating consultations with doctors who misdiagnose her.
The tender conversation between Gerda and Lili before the final surgery.

Iconic Quotes

Lili: “I believe I am a woman.”
Gerda: “I need my husband. I need to hold my husband.”
Lili: “I love you, because you are the only person who made sense of me… and made me possible.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Many of Gerda’s paintings seen in the film are reproductions of actual works by the real Gerda Wegener.
The film’s costumes, designed by Paco Delgado, intentionally mirror paintings of the 1920s to immerse viewers in the era.

Trivia

Nicole Kidman was originally attached to play Lili when the project began development in the early 2000s.
Eddie Redmayne received criticism from some activists for portraying a transgender woman, sparking discussions about representation in film.
The real Lili Elbe died in 1931, just after her final surgery, which the film faithfully depicts.

Why Watch?

The Danish Girl is a moving exploration of love, identity, and courage. It offers audiences a visually beautiful, emotionally devastating, and historically significant story about a pioneering figure in transgender history. For those interested in character-driven dramas, art history, or stories about authenticity and acceptance, it is a must-watch.

The Danish Girl (2015)