A Danish amnesia thriller you have likely never heard of has quietly become one of the biggest movies on Netflix, and viewers cannot agree on whether it is actually any good. The Secret Woman has climbed to No. 2 on Netflix’s global film chart since its August 28 release, riding the same wave of buzz that pushed Robert De Niro’s Netflix thriller The Whisper Man to the top of the US film list.
What is The Secret Woman about?
The film follows Louise (Natalie Madueño), who has built a quiet life running a cafe on a Norwegian island and is about to marry crime writer Joachim (Pål Sverre Hagen). When a tourist greets her by a different name, she takes a DNA test that confirms she is actually Helene Söderberg, a Danish shipping heiress presumed dead, with a husband and son waiting at home. She returns to the wealthy life she cannot remember, where her former partner Edmund (Claes Bang) waits behind the gates of a gothic estate.
Barbara Topsøe-Rothenborg, who previously directed Netflix’s 2022 thriller Loving Adults, directs from a story based on a 2017 novel written under the pen name Anna Ekberg.
Why is it suddenly everywhere?
Since its release, the 118-minute thriller has shot to No. 2 globally and No. 3 in the US, and it is No. 1 in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Romania, per FlixPatrol data cited by ComingSoon.
| The Secret Woman at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Release date | Aug 28, 2026 on Netflix |
| Runtime | 118 minutes |
| Director | Barbara Topsøe-Rothenborg |
| Lead cast | Natalie Madueño, Claes Bang, Pål Sverre Hagen |
| Global chart | No. 2 worldwide, No. 3 in the US |
Is it worth watching?
Reviews are sharply divided. The Guardian called it a “dopey and facile” thriller, while Heaven of Horror rated it three out of five, praising the slow-burn tone and noting the runtime does not drag. Viewers are split between fans of its twisty Nordic noir energy and critics of a plot that leans on too-convenient reveals.
- Plot: amnesia thriller about a missing heiress and a stolen identity.
- Mood: Nordic noir meets gothic family drama.
- Audience: streamers who liked Netflix’s other twist-heavy hits, such as the Mickey 17 Netflix hit.
Where to watch
The Secret Woman is streaming now on Netflix with English audio and subtitles, so Filipino viewers can check it out today.
