Hatching is horror at its finest. A completely captivating story and creature effects that are oddly stunning in a way.
My favorite thing about the Sundance Film Festival is the Midnight session films. I am a big fan of weird, off the wall, creepy horror movies. Hatching fits perfectly into this category, and truly delivers. This film is strange and bizarre, while also intense and captivating. While there are certainly moments that will force some viewers to shield their eyes, the effects are incredible.
Hatching follows the story of a young girl named Tinja (Siiri Solalinna) who finds and egg in the woods and decides to take care of it. What hatches is a creature that is part bird, part human — but also seems to be the hate and anger that festers inside of her. They form a strange bond as it imprints on her and considers her its mother.
As most children do, it wants nothing more than to please Tinja, no matter what it has to do. So anyone or anything that crosses her ends up in a bit of trouble, to put it lightly. Tinja’s mother runs a successful blog and while things are very much a mess in the household behind the scenes, she is sure to put on a happy front for her followers.
Siiri Solalinna, Jani Volanen, Reino Nordin and Sophia Heikkila appear in Hatching by Hanna Bergholm, an official selection of the Midnight section at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by IFC Midnight.While this is very much a horror movie, there are some powerful messages about keeping your feelings inside, not being yourself, and putting pressure on others to be perfect. The influencer aspect to the film is an intriguing one, but it is the horror elements that truly shine.
The creature itself looks amazing — and the creature effects are amazing. I am not sure if it is practical or CGI, but it feels practical for the most part. I always appreciate when a film includes practical effects because they feel more real. It is certainly creepy, especially when it is first hatched, but it represents the darkness inside of us, and that is strangely beautiful. Speaking of beautiful, there are many shots in this film that are absolutely stunning.
Solalinna is amazing in this movie. It was a complete shock to me when I discovered this is her first film. She crushes every single scene she in. She is heartfelt and terrifying at the same time, and really does a great job portraying the character development. Her story is relatable, and you can’t help but feel for her as she is pushed aside by her own family. Viewers really can’t blame her for taking the time to bond with this bizarre creature she finds herself mothering.
It is hard to talk about the ending without giving spoilers, but it is truly perfect and chilling. It is completely unpredictable despite laying the groundwork throughout the film to make it believable. Hatching is horror at its finest! The creature effects are chilling and weirdly stunning in a way. An intense story with a great ending.
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Rating: 3.5 out of 5
About Hatching
Tinja’s mother showcases their family’s existence on her popular blog “Lovely Everyday Life” as a brightly hued domestic idyll set amid manicured suburban perfection. Beneath the impeccable veneer, though, friendless tween gymnast Tinja is struggling, spending most of her time striving to please her image-obsessed mom and appease her shrilly obnoxious little brother.
After finding a wounded bird in the woods, she brings its strange egg home, nestles it in her bed, and nurtures it until it hatches. The creature that emerges, christened Alli, becomes Tinja’s closest friend, surrogate child, and living nightmare in this tremendously twisted coming-of-age body horror film.
Hatching played at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.