Nightborn
| Nightborn | |
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Film poster | |
| Finnish | Yön lapsi |
| Directed by | Hanna Bergholm |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Pietari Peltola |
| Edited by | Jussi Rautaniemi |
| Music by | Eicca Toppinen |
Production companies |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 92 minutes |
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Nightborn (Finnish: Yön lapsi) is a 2026 fantasy horror film directed by Hanna Bergholm, in her English language debut feature film, co-written by Bergholm and Ilja Rautsi. It stars Seidi Haarla and Rupert Grint as new parents living in the Finnish forest.
The film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2026, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear.
Cast
- Seidi Haarla as Saga
- Rupert Grint as Jon
- Pamela Tola as Taru
- Pirkko Saisio as Saga's Mother
- Rebecca Lacey as Jon's Mother
- John Thomson as Jon's Father
Production
The project received €475,000 production grant from Eurimages in November 2023.[1] In January 2024, it received £210,000[2] from the British Film Institute as one of the recipients of its UK Global Screen Fund initiative.[3] In April 2024, it received €950,000 production grant from the Finnish Film Foundation.[4] It was awarded €75,000 production grant by the Lithuanian Film Centre in July 2024.[5]
Principal photography took place in Lithuania for forty-five days and wrapped in December 2024.[6]
Release
Nightborn had its world premiere at the Main Competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2026.[7] In October 2024, Goodfellas and Anonymous Content acquired the film's international sales.[8]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 70% of 10 critics' reviews are positive.[9]
Damon Wise of Deadline Hollywood gave the film a positive review and wrote: Bergholm has a lot of fun with all these elements, and seasoned genre audiences -- who are so very well versed in misdirection by now -- should too.[10] Zach Lewis of Slant Magazine rated the film a 2.5/4 rating and wrote a positive review saying that: Even if the film has few surprises in store for us, there’s something pleasingly unpretentious about how it leaves little room for subtext throughout.[11]
Nikki Baughan of Screen International wrote a positive review of the film saying: Finnish director Hanna Bergholm’s audacious second feature is likely to be divisive, but those who connect with its themes and rhythms will find a great deal to enjoy.[12] Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter also wrote a positive review of the film he said that: Part of what makes Nightborn both stomach-churning and thought-provoking is how all the crazy stuff happening is just a slightly -- okay, substantially -- exaggerated version of the reality so many first-time parents face.[13]
Same as Mintzer, Catherine Bray of Variety also gave a positive review to the film and she said that: Grint is a fine choice for the role of Jon, as his screen persona works well with the character's schlubby, well-meaning passivity.[14]
However, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film a 2/5 rating and a negative review saying that: Some amusing moments, but a disappointment after the excellent Hatching.[15]
References
- ^ Geisinger, Gabriella (28 November 2023). "Eurimages announces funding for 29 international co-productions". Screen Global Production. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ "Funding Awards - April 2023 to March 2024". British Film Institute. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Ntim, Zac (17 January 2024). "BFI's Global Screen Fund Unveils Latest Round Of Cash Award Recipients". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ Bałaga, Marta (10 April 2024). "Nineteen films receive production support from the Finnish Film Foundation". Cineuropa. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ "Lithuania Announces Minority Coproduction and Short Production Grants - July 2024". Film New Europe. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ @hannabergholm (3 December 2024). "After 45 shooting days the filming of Nightborn is wrapped!!! Thank you our wonderful actors Seidi Haarla, Rupert Grint and all others, and also our amazing crew from Finland, Lithuania, and UK! The journey continues! #seidihaarla #rupertgrint #Nightborn" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 January 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (20 January 2026). "Berlinale Unveils 2026 Competition With Amy Adams Drama 'At The Sea', Karim Aïnouz's Starry 'Rosebush Pruning' & 'Rose' With Sandra Hüller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ Mitchell, Wendy (31 October 2024). "Goodfellas, Anonymous Content board 'Nightborn' from 'Hatching' director (exclusive)". Screen International. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ "Nightborn". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Wise, Damon (18 February 2026). "'Nightborn' Review: Baby Got Hairy Back In Hanna Bergholm's Slow-Burn But Seriously Bloody Folk Horror – Berlin Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Lewis, Zach (18 February 2026). "'Nightborn' Review: Bringing Up a Monster Baby". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Baughan, Nikki (15 February 2026). "'Nightborn' review: Hanna Bergholm follows 'Hatching' with audacious motherhood horror". Screen International. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Mintzer, Jordan (14 February 2026). "'Nightborn' Review: Parenting Is a Nightmare in This Darkly Funny and Unabashedly Gory Horror Flick From Finland". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Bray, Catherine (14 February 2026). "'Nightborn' Review: Rupert Grint and Seidi Haarla Headline an Effective Blend of Finnish Mythology and Cronenbergian Horror". Variety. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (15 February 2026). "Nightborn review – Rupert Grint bringing up a monster baby". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2026.