Canterbury Screens Nightborn
A chilling horror film set in the Finnish forest is coming to the Gulbenkian Arts Centre, exploring the darkest fears of motherhood. The film, directed by Hanna Bergholm, tells the story of a young couple whose joy at the birth of their baby is short-lived.
Dir: Hanna Bergholm
Cast: Rupert Grint, Seidi Haarla, Pamela Tola, Pirkko Saisio, Rebecca Lacey, John Thomson, Silvia Saloranta, Satu Tuuli Karhu
92 mins · 2026 · Finland, Lithuania, France, United Kingdom · Cert 15 · English, Finnish, Spanish
IMDb 5.6/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 74% · Metacritic 60/100 · TMDB 6/10 · Trakt 59%
Awards: 2 nominations total
The idea that a newborn baby could be somehow "wrong" is a terrifying one, and it's this fear that drives the plot of Nightborn, a horror film set in the depths of the Finnish forest. Directed by Hanna Bergholm, the film follows a young couple, Saga and Jon, as they try to come to terms with the arrival of their baby, but Saga's joy is quickly overshadowed by a growing sense of unease and suspicion. As the story unfolds, the couple's relationship begins to fray, and Saga is left to confront the darkness alone.
The film boasts a talented cast, including Rupert Grint and Seidi Haarla, and has been praised for its tense and engaging atmosphere, which draws on the traditions of folk horror to create a sense of unease and uncertainty. With a runtime of 92 minutes, Nightborn is a compact and intense film that wastes no time in getting to the heart of the matter. Certified 15, it's not for the faint of heart, but fans of horror and psychological thrillers will find plenty to appreciate.
Nightborn has been well-received by critics, with a 74% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 60/100. The film has also been nominated for two awards, including the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Viewers have been similarly impressed, praising the film's atmosphere and tension, although some have found the pacing and plot twists to be somewhat uneven. The film's use of symbolism and metaphor has also been noted, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.
The Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury will be screening Nightborn on Saturday, 28 November 2026, with the final showing on Tuesday, 1 December 2026 at 23:00. Tickets are on sale, and can be purchased with the button beside this article. This is a unique opportunity to see a thought-provoking and deeply unsettling film on the big screen, and one that is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences.
Stills
What viewers say
vivian_wagdy_99ae11 · 6/10
It gives me the servant vibe and I loved that show.
Read on Trakt
aceboris · 5/10
This movie has perfect potencial, but dont use it.
Read on Trakt
AES-senpai · 6/10
The work establishes itself as a tense and engaging experience for psychological and folk horror enthusiasts, standing out for its ability to transform intimate dramas into a disturbing study on the fear of the unknown.
Read on Trakt
csrz · 6/10
A dysfunctional, unsettling folk horror fantasy horror that delivers plenty of creepy atmosphere and wonderfully bizarre moments. This is my second Bergholm film after <i>Hatching</i>, and I like that she's sticking to the same territory. Dysfunctional families, body horror, something unique running through it all. The atmosphere is the film's biggest strength. The forest setting is eerie and isolating, and that folk horror mood hangs over…
Read on Trakt
katerin_duran_d8432d · 8/10
dice que es de terror,pero no nada que ver solo hay una que otra escena que es algo asquerosa y un punto a quién se le ocurre ir a tener relaciones en un bosque ajajjaajja
Read on Trakt
jjjjs · 7/10
A British man moves to Finland with his young wife. In the wilderness lies the house where she grew up. Forest surrounds them, as if a barrier to something Older than Man. Having conceived a son right in a clearing, the happy father doesn't immediately understand the essence of things. Atmospheric folk music about the place of humanity. You can't unsee little Kuro eating raw meat!
Read on Trakt
Chemical404 · 6/10
Although the technical side is clunky enough at times to take you out of the film - Kuura's hair situation changes between scenes, and blood effects look terrible - the story is well paced and kept me engaged throughout. The birth scene is unexpectedly graphic, but this is primarily a psychological folk horror about motherhood. The symbolism becomes a bit too on the nose in the third act, but fans of metaphorical horror should check it out.
Read on Trakt
chewy74 · 5/10
The film's scenery was beautiful and the movie had great atmosphere and tension. The story was good, but the baby's constant crying throughout the length of the movie was a little bit annoying. The final baby reveal was extremely underwhelming and a disappointment. You hide the baby throughout the whole movie and hint at its abnormalities,[spoiler] to reveal at the end of the movie a normal looking child.[/spoiler] It felt like a con
Read on Trakt
Comments
Sign in to your Hidden Beach account to comment.
Loading comments…