Rupert Grint has alerted his audience that his newest film significantly differs from the beloved Harry Potter series. Best known for portraying Ron Weasley, the Essex-born actor returns to cinema with a far darker story in the horror film Nightborn, directed by Hanna Bergholm and premiered at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Plot and Setting of Nightborn Revealed
In Nightborn, Grint plays Jon alongside Finnish actress Seidi Haarla. The film explores the unsettling experiences of a couple who move to an isolated house in the Finnish forest, where they suspect something deeply wrong with their newborn child. Although set in Finland, filming took place in Lithuania. The story follows Saga and Jon as they confront eerie and disturbing events surrounding their baby.
Personal Experiences Inform Grint’s Role
Grint shared that he received the Nightborn script soon after learning he and his partner, Georgia Groome, were expecting their second child. He described this coincidence by saying,
“So it was very weird timing,”
and,
“But it’s kind of life imitating art.”
Portraying Jon, an optimistic figure amid troubling circumstances, Grint drew on his own approach to parenthood.
He explained,
“Whatever’s going on I try to make it light. Not panicking and staying calm is definitely something I do.”
This calm demeanor translates into his character, who attempts to support his wife while grappling with eerie family developments.
Contrasts with the Beloved Ron Weasley Character
While Grint’s role in Nightborn shows some positivity, he cautions fans that this character lacks the warmth associated with Ron Weasley. Comparing the two, he acknowledged,
“It does go against the warmth of Ron,”
highlighting the serious and haunting atmosphere that Nightborn presents in contrast to the Harry Potter series.
Reflecting on the Harry Potter Legacy
The actor, now 37, reflected on the enduring impact of his time as Ron, noting the surprising speed with which the Harry Potter cast finished filming the final installment in 2011.
“It doesn’t even feel that long ago,”
he said.
“It’s nearly 16 years… it’s insane.”
Grint’s Life Beyond Fame and Filming
Despite the intensity of his Potter years, which he described as “an absolute constant” and “such a fun journey,” Grint values his current slower pace of life. As a dedicated father, he emphasized his contentment outside of acting:
“I love working, but I also just love being at home, hanging out and being a dad.”
He added, “I’m not ridiculously ambitious,” underscoring his priorities beyond fame and film roles.
