1. Juvenile Inspector: A Shadow Over Jõhvi (2026)
“Three years before the end of the Soviet occupation, a new juvenile inspector arrives in a small, quiet Estonian town. With each step, the town's secrets and hidden tensions begin to unravel, and it's clear that this place holds more than meets the eye.”—IMDb
The American-Estonian film Juvenile Inspector: A Shadow Over Jõhvi is producer Pavel Gavrilin’s adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s 1931 horror novella, The Shadow over Innsmouth. “We took it as a basis and transferred it to the late perestroika period of Soviet Estonia, while preserving the main outline of the plot,” Gavrilin explained in an article by ERR.
The project is currently in production and is expected to release in 2026.
2. The Bog (2025)
“The Bog tells the story of an unresolved ‘murder’ mystery from the early 1990s and its consequences today. When a body is found in a bog near a small Latvian town, rumors start circulating that it could be the remains of a boy who disappeared 30 years ago. The investigation into the case revives past events, forcing the film’s main characters to recall how they remember the situations and relationships from that time.”—Tartu Film Fund
Directed by Latvian filmmaker Reinis Kalviņš and co-produced by Estonian company Meteoriit, The Bog borrows ancient aspects of the Baltic landscape to explore the lingering presence of history: “The story began to take shape when I learned about the phenomenon of bog bodies—ancient human remains occasionally discovered in European bogs, naturally preserved by the bog environment. The story of the film conveys the message that history is never truly dead; unresolved events haunt us, and forgetting or ignoring them does not mean they disappear,” said director Reinis Kalviņš to the Tartu Film Fund.
The film is scheduled for release this year.
“Bubble & Squeak… stars Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg, Matt Berry, Steven Yeun, and Dave Franco, alongside several Estonian talents including Ursel Tilk, Jaak Prints, Inga Salurand…”
3. Bubble & Squeak (2025)
“Accused of smuggling cabbages into a nation where cabbages are banned, Declan and Delores must confront the fragility of their new marriage while on the run for their lives.”—IMDb
Although Bubble & Squeak is an American film, it features an Estonian producer, cast, and crew, and, like Juvenile Inspector, was filmed in Estonia. The film stars Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg, Matt Berry, Steven Yeun, and Dave Franco, alongside several Estonian talents including Ursel Tilk, Jaak Prints, Inga Salurand, and stunt performers Jaan Roose and Margareta Schönberg, according to ERR.
The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival this January.
4. Aurora (2025)
“Aurora (Maarja Johanna Mägi), the daughter of the religious leader Valdek, enters into a secret extramarital affair with Lenny (Jörgen Liik), which ultimately ends with a discovery that collapses her world. Years later, at a family wedding anniversary celebration with her husband Joonas, Aurora receives a message that rips open old wounds; which doesn’t go unnoticed by Joonas. As Aurora strives to present a celebration of family values, an unexpected visitor arrives. As secrets come to light, the seemingly harmonious family’s facade shows its cracks, and she must make a difficult decision.”—Scandinavian House
Estonian directors Rain Tolk and Andres Maimik bring a tragic love story to life in Aurora, with a cast full of Estonian faces. “I think we were dealing with two basic needs in the film: the need for freedom and independence, and the need for belonging and security. They don't always go together, they are often on a collision course. Stability and supporting each other can at some point turn into controlling each other,” said Maimik in an interview with ERR.
Have you seen any of these films? Eesti Elu would love to hear what you think! Send an email to digitaleditor@eestielu.ca to share your thoughts.
This article was written by Natalie Jenkins as part of the Local Journalism Initiative
