Rupert Grint embraces dark new chapter at Berlin as 'Nightborn' marks his post-Potter evolution

Grint says he is focusing on projects that interest him creatively rather than chasing constant visibility

After years of keeping a relatively low profile following his global fame in Harry Potter, Rupert Grint is stepping into a dramatically different spotlight at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival — one defined by horror, folklore and a deliberate shift away from his past.

Grint returns to the big screen with Nightborn, a dark Finnish-language horror-fantasy directed by Hanna Bergholm that premiered in the Berlinale’s main competition. The film follows a couple whose dream of starting a family in a remote forest spirals into a disturbing nightmare after the birth of their child.

The project signals a notable reinvention for the actor, who became a household name as Ron Weasley but has since been selective about the roles he chooses. In Berlin, Grint reflected on how his early success has allowed him to approach acting on his own terms, focusing on projects that interest him creatively rather than chasing constant visibility.

He has also leaned into the unexpected turn toward genre filmmaking, acknowledging that Nightborn sits far from the warmth associated with his most famous character. Instead, the film leans into unsettling folklore and psychological horror, placing Grint in a darker, more complex emotional landscape than audiences typically associate with him.

The Berlin premiere positions Grint alongside a diverse slate of global filmmakers and stars competing for the Golden Bear at the 76th Berlinale, where Nightborn stands out as one of the few genre-driven entries in the main lineup.

More than a simple comeback, the film represents a conscious evolution in Grint’s career, one where he is redefining himself beyond the shadow of a beloved franchise and embracing riskier, more atmospheric storytelling.