A headstrong mage’s apprentice failing in her magic studies finds a dragon egg while cleaning her mentor’s library. She attempts to hatch it using magic, but after disastrous results, she realizes she has to focus more on finding joy in the process rather than the end results.
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Hatching is a haunting and visually striking 2024 Finnish psychological horror film directed by Hanna Bergholm. The movie follows 12-year-old Tinja, a young gymnast living with her seemingly perfect suburban family. When Tinja discovers a mysterious egg, she decides to secretly keep it and nurture it. As the egg starts to hatch, Tinja has to confront the dark, primal forces that are threatening to take over her seemingly idyllic home and family.
With its eerie atmosphere, body horror elements, and powerful exploration of themes like adolescence, family dynamics, and the duality of human nature, Hatching has captivated audiences and critics since its premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. The film’s striking visuals, unsettling score, and compelling central performance by newcomer Siiri Solalinna have drawn comparisons to elevated horror classics like Rosemary’s Baby and The Babadook.
Hatching marks an impressive feature directorial debut for Bergholm, establishing her as a bold new voice in the horror genre. The film’s ability to unsettle and disturb while also resonating on an emotional level has made it one of the most acclaimed and talked-about horror releases of 2024 so far. For fans of intelligent, artfully-crafted psychological horror, Hatching is a must-see.
- Director
- Jade Tyndall
- Writer
- Jade Tyndall
- Stars
- Jaira Brownlee
- Victoria Maier