Why Everyone's Talking About This Danish Crime Thriller
We all know the feeling: after a busy day, you want something quick to watch before hitting the pillow. But after a couple of episodes, focus fades, and binge-watching at the start of the school year is hardly wise. Not getting enough sleep can hurt concentration the next morning. That’s why a good movie is often the better pick—they’re shorter and their stories can feel as compelling as any TV series.
If you’re a fan of Harlan Coben’s mysteries and love the chilly tension of Scandinavian thrillers, this Danish film might be just what you need. According to FlixPatrol, the movie reached number 2 among Netflix films worldwide as of late August 2026. In France, it was also the number 2 film at the same time. This title showed up at second place in 51 countries, and only seven countries put it at number 1 as of August 31, 2026. So, what’s this buzzed-about movie? “La femme secrète” (“The Secret Woman”) is adapted from a 2017 Danish novel by Anna Ekberg—a pen name for writers Anders Rønnow Klarlund and Jacob Weinreich.
The Plot: Amnesia, Wealth, and a Family Mystery
“Learning that she has a family and a shipping empire, an amnesiac woman reconnects with a wealthy and seemingly perfect past to understand why she left.” (Allociné)
Right at the start of the film, viewers learn that the main character’s family has been searching for her for more than two years. The story’s setup—someone thought dead turning up alive, a well-to-do family, and a mystery slowly revealed by revisiting the past—definitely echoes the hallmarks of Harlan Coben’s bestselling thrillers.
Is “The Secret Woman” Worth Watching?
Scandinavian thrillers are often celebrated for their depth and complexity, but “The Secret Woman” hasn’t completely lived up to that reputation among all viewers. Some reviews do highlight its strengths and compare it favorably to Coben’s work, with one reviewer saying it’s a “very good thriller, very well paced and well acted. A good surprise with a plot worthy of Coben.” Still, the movie holds a modest rating of 2.6/5 on Allociné, the French review platform. The original 2017 novel by Anna Ekberg, however, received glowing critical praise and was described as an “absolutely brilliant thriller.” On IMDb, the film has a 6.3/10 score, suggesting a more positive reception internationally. French critics, as often happens, appear somewhat tougher. Some viewers felt the story was too predictable, others disliked the ending. Even so, the film is generally seen as an effective and enjoyable thriller—easy to fit into your evening plans.
