‘Harry Potter’ Star Issues Warning to Fans Ahead of New Film Role

Rupert Grint is offering a stark warning to fans: his latest role is a massive departure from the beloved, lighthearted wizard who defined his early career. In his new film Nightborn, which celebrated its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on February 14, the 37-year-old actor explores a much darker territory.

Grint stars as Jon, a father who moves with his wife, Saga, into a secluded house deep within a Finnish forest, only to realize that their newborn son is far from ordinary. The film, a visceral horror-fable directed by Hanna Bergholm, tackles the heavy emotional and physical tolls of parenthood and childbirth.

Grint is well aware that the graphic nature and haunting themes of the story might shock those who still see him as Ron Weasley. Reflecting on the transition during an interview with Variety, he noted that it does go against the warmth of Ron.

Grint’s return to the big screen comes after a decade-long hiatus from feature films, with his last theatrical credit dating back to 2013. During his time away from the cinema, he remained active on television, most notably in the psychological thriller Servant.

He attributes his ability to be selective with his projects to the financial security provided by the Harry Potter franchise, a position he views with immense gratitude. I’m very aware of that privilege, he admitted, acknowledging that the films gave him the gift of picking and choosing his path.

Despite the intense fame and the personal sacrifices required of a child star, Grint remains deeply fond of his time at Hogwarts. He recently made headlines for sending a supportive “baton-passing” letter to Alastair Stout, the young actor cast as the new Ron Weasley in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television reboot.

While he acknowledges there were times he wanted to leave the spotlight, he insists he has no regrets and finds joy in meeting fans for whom the films were a cornerstone of childhood. Looking forward, Grint is maintaining a steady but measured pace, aiming to work on one meaningful project each year.

He has already begun filming his next major role as Bob Cratchit in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a gothic reimagining of the Dickens classic. The film, directed by Ti West, features Johnny Depp as a transformative, unrecognizable Ebenezer Scrooge and is scheduled for a theatrical release on November 13.

The star-studded cast of Ebenezer also includes Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, and Ian McKellen, promising a darker, moodier spin on the holiday tale. Grint’s portrayal of the overworked and underpaid Cratchit will likely provide another opportunity to showcase his dramatic range alongside some of the industry’s biggest names.

As he continues to distance himself from the “lovable kid wizard” trope, Grint appears more comfortable than ever, embracing the eerie and the avant-garde. Whether he is navigating the terrifying woods of Finland or the haunted streets of Victorian London, Rupert Grint is proving that his post-Potter career is focused on quality over quantity.

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