Hanna Bergholm's latest cinematic offering, 'Nightborn,' delves into the tumultuous world of new parenthood, presenting it as a darkly comedic and unreservedly gory horror experience. Following her critically acclaimed debut 'Hatching,' Bergholm's new film continues to merge horror and fantasy with complex family dynamics. It humorously exaggerates the challenges of raising a newborn, transforming typical parental anxieties into a nightmarish, blood-soaked fight for survival.
'Nightborn' Review: A Descent into Parental Terror and Dark Humor
In 'Nightborn,' a Finnish horror-comedy from director Hanna Bergholm, the journey into parenthood becomes a grotesque and humorous ordeal. Released on February 14, 2026, the film premiered in the Competition section of the Berlin Film Festival. It features Seida Haarla as Saga and Rupert Grint as Jon, an expectant couple who move to an isolated, dilapidated country home. Their cross-cultural communication in English serves as a narrative convenience while highlighting Jon's discomfort in an unfamiliar land where bizarre events unfold.
Bergholm, co-writing with Ilja Rautsi, establishes an unsettling yet outrageous tone from the outset. The film famously transitions from an orgasm to a graphically detailed birth scene, with the newborn emerging in a close-up that leaves Jon covered in blood. Saga's initial horror at her hairy infant, whom she refuses to call "him," escalates when breastfeeding nearly costs her a nipple, signaling the baby's monstrous nature. Named Kuura, the child soon develops an unsettling taste for blood and an unnaturally rapid development, prompting a pediatrician's assurance of health that offers little comfort to the terrified parents. The film masterfully uses metaphors, portraying Kuura as the embodiment of every new parent's worst fears: relentless crying, refusal to sleep, and an insatiable demand for attention, prompting thoughts of contraception. Yet, Saga develops a complex attachment to Kuura, particularly drawn to the spooky forest surrounding their home, hinting at a deeper connection between mother and monstrous child. Meanwhile, Jon often feels sidelined, a common experience for many new fathers.
The film brilliantly interweaves parental experiences with copious amounts of gore, visual gags, and jump scares. A memorable "here comes the airplane" feeding scene spirals into chaos, perfectly illustrating the disruption to the once-happy household. While some metaphors become repetitive, Bergholm's dark humor and the fearless performances from Haarla and Grint, known for his role as Ron Weasley in 'Harry Potter,' elevate the film. Their on-screen clash over the baby's blood snack is a standout moment. The production boasts exceptional craftsmanship, including Pietari Peltola's fairytale-like cinematography, Kari Kankaanpää's eerie set designs, and the seamless combination of puppets and CGI that bring the sinister yet adorable Kuura to life. The ambiguity of Kuura's true nature—be it vampire, troll, or killer garden gnome—underscores the film's central theme: a baby representing the overwhelming fears and challenges of new parenthood.
The film provides a thought-provoking commentary on the often-unspoken anxieties of new parents, cloaked in a horror narrative. It forces viewers to confront the darker, more unsettling aspects of child-rearing, questioning societal expectations of parental bliss. The blend of humor and horror makes for a uniquely engaging experience, reminding us that even the most beautiful life changes can harbor profound fears.