Nightborn
2026 film by Hanna Bergholm
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
- Hanna Bergholm
- Ilja Rautsi
- Daniel Kuitunen
- Noëmie Devide
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| Finnish | Yön lapsi |
| Directed by | Hanna Bergholm |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Pietari Peltola |
| Edited by | Jussi Rautaniemi |
| Music by | Eicca Toppinen |
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Running time | 92 minutes |
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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
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- 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]