Rupert Grint and Seidi Haarla star in Nightborn, a Finnish horror film about parents who discover their newborn is abnormal [1, 2].

The film marks a return to acting for Grint and leverages the growing popularity of "maternity horror," a subgenre that explores the anxieties of parenthood through a supernatural lens.

Directed by Hanna Bergholm, the story centers on a couple living in an isolated house deep in the Finnish forest [1, 3]. Seidi Haarla plays Saga, a mother who begins to suspect that something is wrong with her child [3, 5]. Grint portrays Jon, the father, as the couple navigates the escalating horror of their domestic life [1, 2].

Nightborn first premiered in competition at the Berlin Film Festival in early 2026 [1, 4]. Following the festival run, a trailer for the film was released July 2, 2026 [4].

The film has attracted significant international interest. Distribution rights for North America, Australia, and New Zealand have been acquired [1]. Shudder has also been linked to the acquisition and release of the project [1, 4].

The narrative focuses on the psychological and physical toll of Saga's suspicions, driving the film's premise as the child's abnormal nature becomes clear [3, 5]. The isolated setting serves as a catalyst for the tension, trapping the characters within their own fear.

“Nightborn is a Finnish-made horror film about new parents who discover their newborn is abnormal.”

The acquisition of Nightborn by major distributors for the US and Oceanic markets indicates a continuing global appetite for European genre cinema. By casting a recognizable star like Rupert Grint in a Finnish production, the filmmakers are bridging the gap between niche international horror and mainstream English-speaking audiences.