Hanna Bergholm Explores Maternal Horror in Nightborn

Director Hanna Bergholm is turning heads at Fantasia 2026 with her latest project, Nightborn. The film focuses on a mother named Saga, played by Seidi Haarla, who struggles with the heavy societal expectations of raising a child. As she grows suspicious that something is wrong with her baby, she faces intense pressure from those around her. Bergholm admits the story is deeply personal, inspired by the complicated feelings of rage and confusion she felt during her own early experiences as a mother.

To build the horror, the film pulls from folklore, specifically the myth of the changeling. However, fans should not expect traditional monsters lurking in the woods. Bergholm reimagined trolls as creatures deeply connected to nature, with designs that blur the line between trees and living things. This concept emphasizes the film's core theme, which is that humanity is never truly separate from the natural world, no matter how hard we try to shut it out.

The house where Saga and her husband Jon live serves as a major character on its own. Designed to feel like a twisted fairy tale, the home is filled with beautiful but unsettling details that reflect the crumbling state of the couple's relationship. The nursery is especially striking, as its overly perfect appearance highlights the desperation behind Saga's attempts to hold onto her idealized dreams of family life.

Fans can look forward to a unique mix of practical effects in the film. Instead of relying solely on digital tools, Bergholm worked with Gustav Hoegen to create animatronic babies. By combining these puppets with real infants, the team created a grounded yet eerie atmosphere. It is a bold approach that emphasizes the tension between natural reality and the fears we build inside our own minds.