The Hole in the Ground

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2:03

The Hole in the Ground

R

2019

1h 30m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

89 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

One night, Sarah's young son disappears into the woods behind their rural home. When he returns, he looks the same, but his behavior grows increasingly disturbing. Sarah begins to believe that the boy who returned may not be her son at all.

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Critics Consensus

The Hole in the Ground artfully exploits parental fears with a well-made horror outing that makes up in sheer effectiveness what it lacks in originality.

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

04/10/2019

3.5/5

In this creepy Irish-Finnish co-production, that fear combines with more modern concerns about the traumas of parenting in a way that freshens up the soil.

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

03/08/2019

3/5

The Hole in the Ground is filled with all the tropes of the "sinister child" subgenre, but first-time feature director Cronin... deftly weds it with the same rural Gothic sensibilities that have made Irish horror such a vibrant and unsettling scene.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

03/05/2019

Well-edited set pieces... this gave me the creeps.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

08/19/2024

C+

Although The Hole in the Ground brought nothing new to the horror genre, it’s still a decent movie that was fun to see on the big screen. It’s worth a try if you’re looking for a solid horror movie...

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

07/20/2024

3/4

Requires quite a bit of heavy-lifting from Kerslake, who is onscreen nearly all the time, and she pulls it off, planting seeds of anxious doubt every step of the way.

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Kristy Strouse

Film Inquiry

10/17/2022

With some genuinely terrifying imagery and set design and moments that definitely speak to our mental fragility and awareness of who we think we know best, The Hole in the Ground strikes a nerve. It’s a hidden gem.

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Jon R.

@JuantheBaptist Apr 26

Decent, wish it had given a little more lore or backstory to the hole itself but was an alright film

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Geesara G

@Geesara Oct 27

The movie feels like incomplete, doesnt explain everything, its lack horror components more like a thriller. Its underwhelming and feels like a trailer.

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Louie L

@amilou Oct 9

Stellar movie!!! Just brilliant!!! I just love Irish scary movies because they are so real!!! I’ve watched this film about 10 times now. By myself and with friends. It is a superb realistic, disturbing work of art!!! The production value is Oscar worthy. The actors out of this world believable… and the writer creator of the story… is a treasure!!! Please make more movies!!! Scary ones!!! This movie gave me the ultimate creeps!!! In the best way!!! It keeps me coming back for more!!! LOOOOVE THE LEAD ACTRESS!!! I watch this gem at least once a year and it never gets old!!! The best is when I can share it with friends who are also appreciative of spooky films.

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acsdoug D

@acsdoug Jul 12

I enjoyed watching the beautiful Seána Kerslake for ninety minutes. The rest of the movie, not so much.

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Dahlia N

@RT99239384 May 26

This is the absolute best representation of changeling fae lore I've ever seen in a film. Wonderfully creepy and oh, that ending! Definitely worth watching.

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Tilman G

@RT79914015 02/27/2025

While I appreciate how The Hole in the Ground manages to create suspense and creepiness without gimmickry, the movie lacks a bit of substance. Loved the premise, hated the poorly done day-for-night shots.

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Lee Cronin

Director

Seána Kerslake

Sarah O'Neill

James Quinn Markey

Chris O'Neill

James Cosmo

Des Brady

Kati Outinen

Noreen Brady

Simone Kirby

Louise Caul

The Hole in the Ground: Official Clip - Supernatural Strength

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The Hole in the Ground: Official Clip - Monstrous Child

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The Hole in the Ground: Official Clip - Shapeshifter Attack

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The Hole in the Ground: Official Clip - Burying Mommy

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The Hole in the Ground: Official Clip - Eating a Spider

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The Hole in the Ground: Official Clip - Ripping the Scar Open

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The Hole in the Ground: Official Clip - It's Not Your Son!

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The Hole in the Ground: Official Clip - The Creepy Kid's Song

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The Hole in the Ground: Official Clip - You're Not My Son

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The Hole in the Ground: Movie Clip - Spiders

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Synopsis

One night, Sarah's young son disappears into the woods behind their rural home. When he returns, he looks the same, but his behavior grows increasingly disturbing. Sarah begins to believe that the boy who returned may not be her son at all.

Director: Lee Cronin
Producer: John Keville, Conor Barry
Screenwriter: Lee Cronin, Stephen Shields
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Bankside Films, Head Gear Films, Wrong Men North, Metrol Technology, Savage Productions
Rating: R (Some Disturbing Images)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 1, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 26, 2019
Runtime: 1h 30m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)