Movie Review: IFC Midnight’s HATCHING Finnish Thriller - Captivating, Deeply Bizarre

Hatching -Key Art Movie Poster - IFC Midnight

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Directed by: Hanna Bergholm

Written By: Ilja Rautsi

Starring: Siiri Solalinna, Sophia Heikkilä, Jani Volanen, Oiva Ollila, Reino Nordin

Runtime: 87 mins

OPENS FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022
IN THEATERS AND DIGITAL / VOD

Reviewer’s Rating: 4 of 5 Stars ★★★★★

If you’ve been searching for something out of the ordinary in cinema, something to sink your teeth into, then IFC Midnight’s Hatching is worth the time. A captivating, deeply bizarre film, Hatching, a Finnish film with subtitles, grabs hold of your attention from start to finish (no pun intend).

If you’ve not heard of the film or watched the trailer, I will say the synopsis is slightly misleading in its overview of what transpires throughout the movie. Although, to avoid too many spoilers, there is a specific reason why Tinja (Siiri Solalinna) goes into the woods. The bird incident involving her family, especially her social media-obsessed mother, known as Mother (Sophia Heikkilä) in the film, is the catalyst that kicks off the myriad of perplexing events that transpire in Hatching.

The film dives deep into the façade of perpetuating an idyllic version of happy family life. Mother has a well-viewed blog called ‘Lovely Everyday Life,’ where she not-so candidly captures the perfect day-in-the-life of her beloved family. And Mother is constantly striving to meet some hyper-exaggerated societal standards, including having a daughter who excels in gymnastics. The mother-daughter relationship takes center stage throughout most of the film; however, when Tinja brings home an orphaned egg left behind after the bird incident, the dynamic shifts to Tinja being a pseudo-mama bird to the strange creature that emerges.

HATCHING - Still 2 - IFC Midnight — Hatching – Siiri Solalinna as “Tinjai” in Hanna Bergholm’s “HATCHING”. — Photo Credit: Courtesy of Andrejs Strokins. An IFC Midnight release.

Writer Ilja Rautsi does a wonderful job of painting a picture with words to describe the awkwardness of a young girl trying everything she can to impress and win her mother’s conditional love. The way Rautsi portrays Mother makes me cringe with every snapshot she takes as she tries to post a life of wedded bliss to a man she barely loves and a young son who seems to be a spoiled brat.

The film also dives a bit into the Father (Jani Volanen) and younger brother Matias’ (Oiva Ollila) interactions with Tinja. The Father attributes his daughter’s recent strange behavior to her possibly having started her monthly cycle but the irritating and annoying little brother has seen things because he’s a bit of a creeper.

HATCHING - Still 3 - IFC Midnight — HATCHING – L-R: Siiri Solalinna as “Tinja”, Sophia Heikkilä as “Mother”, Jani Volanen as “Father”, and Oiva Ollila as “Matias” in Hanna Bergholm’s “HATCHING”. Photo Credit: Courtesy of IFC Midnight. An IFC Midnight release.

The acting throughout Hatching is top-notch. It’s as if the director Hanna Bergholm filmed an actual family without their knowledge, exposing all their idiosyncrasies for the world to see. The way the film is shot feels very intimate and surreal at the same time.

The family is far from perfect, as most families are, but things get even wilder when the newly hatched creature begins taking on sinister behavior all in the name of protecting Tinja. The lengths the creature, affectionately named Alli after a lullaby Tinja sings, will go to remove all obstacles from Tinja’s path are frightening and devastating.

There is a particular scene when Mother takes Tinja to her lover Tero’s (Reino Nordin) house for the weekend. When Mother leaves to run an errand, Tinja tries to bond with her mother’s new boyfriend and his young infant daughter. Tinja shows him her gymnastic moves, but she falters a bit, frustrating her. When Mother returns to see Tinja hasn’t perfected her cartwheels, her scolding is interrupted by the baby’s cries. Tinja, feeling the attention has been taken away from her, projects anger fueling Alli, whose followed them to Tero’s house, to take matters into her own hands.

HATCHING - Still 5 - IFC Midnight — HATCHING – Siiri Solalinna as “Tinja” in Hanna Bergholm’s “HATCHING”. — Photo Credit: Courtesy of IFC Midnight. An IFC Midnight release.

Again, brilliant performances all around but especially to young actress Siiri Solalinna who does double duty in Hatching. Solalinna’s acting is compelling, and you feel for this young girl as she tries desperately to win her mother’s approval and affection. The heartbreaking story of conditional love is so profound, it’s quite sad. But this film has more than sorrow; there is suspense, horror, and an astonishing creature to feast your eyes on.

Hatching is an unconventional delight for those who love the horror genre; although it’s more if the suspense/thriller aspect that really drives this movie to the edge. And the creature Alli’s transformation and surprise ending is totally worth it.

HATCHING – Official Trailer – IFC Midnight

OPENS APRIL 29, 2022 IN THEATERS AND DIGITAL / VOD

HATCHING – IFC Midnight Social

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CREDITS:

Directed by: Hanna Bergholm
Written By: Ilja Rautsi
Starring: Siiri Solalinna, Sophia Heikkilä, Jani Volanen, Oiva Ollila, Reino Nordin
Produced by: Mika Ritalahti, Nico Ritalahti, Nima Yousefi
Cinematographer: Jarkko T. Laine F.S.C.
Edited by: Linda Jildmalm SFK
Creature Effects Supervisor: Gustav Hoegen (Star Wars, Jurassic World)

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.