Jesper W. Nielsen directs from a script by Christian Torpe, an adaptation of the hit 2004 novel by Danish author Christian Jungersen, which sold more than 200,000 copies in Denmark and has been published in 20 countries worldwide.

Knudsen, whose credits also include Westworld and The Duke of Burgundy, is joined by a strong female cast that also includes Danica, Amanda Collin (A Horrible Woman), and Lene Maria Christensen (Terribly Happy).

The story follows two women, Iben and Malene (played by Danica and Amanda), working at a small NGO in Copenhagen that specialises in genocide and crimes against humanity. When they begin to receive death threats, they suspect a Serbian war criminal; but then they start suspecting and turning against each other.

“The Exception is a nerve-racking thriller that depicts how refined adult maturation can evolve into a terrible game about life and death”, said the press release.

“I am really impressed with those actresses and it’s been a dream for a long time to work with them,” said Danica.

Financiers are the Danish Film Institute, DR, West Danish Film Fund, Creative Europe Media, and Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

Sources: Screen Daily and Berlingske