Nightborn (2026)

Nightborn (original title: Yön lapsi) is a Finnish psychological fantasy horror film from 2026, directed by Hanna Bergholm from a screenplay co-written with Ilja Rautsi. It is her English-language feature debut. The world premiere took place on February 14, 2026, at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, where the film competed in the main competition and was nominated for the Golden Bear. The film also won the Cheval Noir Award for Best Film at the Fantasia 2026 festival, and Saidi Haarla won Best Actress.

Plot:

Young couple Saga (Saidi Haarla) and John (Rupert Grint) move to a secluded house in the Finnish forest to start a new chapter as parents. However, Saga's joy is overshadowed by an eerie suspicion about their newborn son, Kuura. John notices nothing strange, but Saga becomes increasingly convinced that something is deeply wrong with the child. Forest mysteries, buried family secrets, and maternal instincts lead to a shocking truth: what they brought home is no ordinary child. The film explores themes of parenthood, fear, and the dark forces of nature.

Franchise Chronology:

Although Nightborn is not a direct sequel, it is considered the second installment in Hanna Bergholm's horror series following her debut film Hatching (2022). Both films share themes of body horror, motherhood, and Finnish mythology.

• Hatching (2022) — Pahanhautoja (original title)
• Year: 2022
• Runtime: 86 minutes
• Plot: 12-year-old gymnast Tinja desperately tries to please her demanding mother, who runs a popular blog about the perfect family. One day, Tinja finds a strange egg in the forest, from which hatches a creature that becomes her doppelgänger and the embodiment of her repressed emotions. The film explores toxic perfectionism and adolescent identity.
• Where to watch: Available on Hulu (US) and some VOD platforms.
• Nightborn (2026) — Yön lapsi (original title)
• Year: 2026
• Runtime: 92 minutes
• Plot: described above.
• Where to watch: Shudder (from July 31, 2026).

Where to watch:

• Shudder — official streaming platform (release July 31, 2026).
• The film will also have a theatrical release in Finland on November 6, 2026, and possibly in other countries.
• For Ukrainian viewers: no official Ukrainian platforms have been announced yet, but you can track its appearance on UAKino.