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Entertainment • Film

The Danish Girl

The Danish Girl is a 2015 biographical romantic drama film directed by Tom Hooper.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Danish Girl is a 2015 biographical romantic drama film directed by Tom Hooper. It is loosely based on David Ebershoff’s 2000 novel and on the lives of Danish painters Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. The film stars Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander in the lead roles.

Plot

The film follows artist Einar Wegener as he begins living as Lili Elbe after posing as a female model for his wife Gerda. Their relationship changes as Lili undertakes one of the earliest known gender-affirming surgical journeys.

Production and release

The Danish Girl was directed by Tom Hooper, adapted by Lucinda Coxon, and released in 2015. It was distributed by Focus Features in the United States.

Source material

The film is based on David Ebershoff’s novel The Danish Girl, which itself is a fictionalized account of Lili Elbe’s life. It also draws loosely on the histories of Elbe and Wegener.

Reception

The film received attention for its performances, especially Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander, and for its depiction of transgender history. It also drew discussion for its historical dramatization and fictionalization of real events.

Key facts

  • The film is a fictionalized account inspired by the lives of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener.
  • Eddie Redmayne portrays Lili Elbe, and Alicia Vikander portrays Gerda Wegener.
  • It was directed by Tom Hooper and written by Lucinda Coxon.
  • The story is set in Copenhagen in the 1920s.
  • The film is an adaptation of David Ebershoff’s 2000 novel of the same name.
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Canadian context

The film was released and discussed in Canada as part of the international awards-season rollout for major English-language drama films, and it is relevant to Canadian readers as a prominent mainstream film about transgender history.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Danish Girl about?
It is about artist Einar Wegener, who comes to live as Lili Elbe, and the effect of that transition on her marriage to Gerda Wegener.
Is The Danish Girl based on a true story?
Yes, but it is a fictionalized drama loosely inspired by the lives of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener.
Who directed The Danish Girl?
Tom Hooper directed the film.
Who plays the lead roles?
Eddie Redmayne plays Lili Elbe, and Alicia Vikander plays Gerda Wegener.
When was The Danish Girl released?
It was released in 2015.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Danish_Girl_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, cast, source novel, and synopsis
  2. Focus Features — https://www.focusfeatures.com/the_danish_girl
    Supports: Official synopsis, release context, director, and lead cast
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_danish_girl_2015
    Supports: Genre classification and synopsis
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810819/
    Supports: Synopsis, cast, and film identification