Finnish screenwriter and director Hanna Bergholm first landed on our radar with her 2022 Sundance debut, Hatching. Featuring impressive practical creature FX and a scathing commentary on the Instagram vs. reality toll social media can take on families, we have eagerly been awaiting Bergholm’s follow-up.
Lucky for us (and you), Shudder just announced it has acquired the rights to her sophomore feature, Nightborn. It sounds like Bergholm will once again explore complex family dynamics through the lens of a dark fable. The film debuted at Berlinale and will celebrate its North American Premiere at Fantasia Festival on July 22nd before its Shudder release on July 31st.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Nightborn follows Saga and her British husband Jon, who move to an isolated house deep in the forest with dreams of starting a perfect family. But as soon as their baby is born, despite the reassurance of all around her, Saga knows there’s something terribly wrong with her son. As their marriage starts to crack, Jon struggles to support his wife, but only Saga suspects the disturbing truth about her newborn.
The film stars Seidi Haarla (Compartment Number 6) and Rupert Grint (Harry Potter, Servant, Knock at the Cabin) alongside Pamela Tola, Pirkko Saisio, Rebecca Lacey and John Thomson.
Animatronics Designer Gustav Hoegen (Star Wars: Episodes VI, VII, & IX, Andor, Jurassic World, Prometheus) and two-time Academy Award nominee, SFX Makeup Designer, Conor O’Sullivan (Saving Private Ryan, The Hours, X Men: First Class, The Dark Knight, Game of Thrones) who both previously worked with Bergholm on Hatching, return to bring the story to life “with visceral imagery and skill.”
We're not getting a look at the animatronics created by Hoegen just yet, but if Hatching is any indication of what's in store for us, it's safe to say creature feature lovers are in for a treat.
”I am really excited for our film to be released on Shudder! Nightborn is a film made for genre enthusiasts, parents and anyone who has ever asked themselves: Why do I feel different?” Bergholm shared.
For more, check out our original Hatching interview with Hanna Bergholm and the cast .
“Hanna Bergholm’s audacious sophomore follow-up to Hatching delivers tension and shocking moments surrounding parenthood and self discovery – with a touch of humor. We are thrilled to share Nightborn with audiences,” said Emily Gotto, SVP of Shudder Acquisitions and Production.
The film is produced by Daniel Kuitunen from Elokuvayhtiö Komeetta Oy. Co-producers include Getaway Films from France, BlueLight from the UK, and Filmai from Lithuania. Executive producers are Nick Shumaker and David Levine of Anonymous Content.
If you aren’t heading to the Fantasia Film Festival, you can catch Nightborn streaming on Shudder July 31. Hatching is streaming on Shudder and AMC+.
