Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest

After moving into a new apartment on the city’s edge, a young family hires a nanny to care for their newborn. The elder brother, Egor, starts telling anyone who will listen that the woman is odd, but his parents refuse to worry. The father installs surveillance cameras for reassurance, and at first they appear to confirm that everything is normal. Then one day Egor returns home to an empty house, the nanny and the baby missing, and the parents find themselves in a trance with memories of a daughter fading away. Determined to uncover the truth, Egor and his friends set out on a dangerous search that uncovers a link to an ancient dark force. The city outside remains quiet, but the house seems to breathe with a malevolent hush as the search unfolds. The disappearance strains the family ties, pushing Egor to rely on his friends rather than adults.

Directed by Svyatoslav Podgaevsky and created by Nataliya Dubovaya and Ivan Kapitonov, this 2020 Russian horror uses modern settings to frame a fateful encounter with folklore.

Box Office: The film has grossed about 1.398 million dollars worldwide, a modest figure for a genre title released in limited markets. The number reflects its niche appeal rather than a wide global release.

Reception & Themes: Critics point to a spare setup that relies on a tense atmosphere and a child driven investigation. The movie probes parental trust and memory while weaving folklore into a contemporary apartment haunted by unseen dangers.

Cultural Impact: While not a major international hit, the title participates in a wave of folklore flavored horror that nods to Baba Yaga and reimagines myths for urban fears. It may spark conversations about family dynamics, superstition, and how ancient tales resurface in modern living spaces.