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Horror film

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest (2020): Cast & Ratings

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest (2020) movie poster

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest is a 2020 horror film directed by Svyatoslav Podgaevsky, starring Svetlana Ustinova as Tatyana, nanny, Oleg Chugunov and Igor Khripunov. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 56/100.

worldwide gross
$1.4M
Echo Score
56
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Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
Russian
Studio
QS Films
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest About?

The premise of Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest without spoilers.

A young family moves to a new apartment on the city's edge and hires a nanny for their newborn daughter. The older son, Egor, claims to see a frightening woman, but his parents dismiss his fears. His father installs surveillance cameras for reassurance, which initially appear to show nothing amiss. When Egor returns home, he finds his sister and the nanny gone, and his parents are in a trance, having no memory of their daughter. He then embarks on a search with his friends, uncovering the unsettling truth: the nanny is an ancient Slavic demon known as Baba Yaga.

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Cast & crew

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest Cast & Characters

Svetlana Ustinova leads the cast as Tatyana, nanny, with Oleg Chugunov as Egor and Igor Khripunov as Mrachnyy. Directed by Svyatoslav Podgaevsky; 22 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Svyatoslav Podgaevsky

More films directed by Svyatoslav Podgaevsky: Teens: First Love, Dark Spell and The Mermaid: Lake of the Dead.

Full filmography
Ratings

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

56 /100

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest Echo Score Breakdown

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest presents a mixed reception, with its atmospheric visuals and occasional strong performances offset by an uneven narrative and technical shortcomings. While some reviewers commend the cinematography and suspenseful moments, many note a weak plot, inconsistent tone, and problematic dubbing that diminish emotional impact. The film’s potential is evident but its execution leads to a largely forgettable experience, limiting its appeal beyond a single viewing.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases striking visual design and commendable cinematography. Reviewers highlight the atmospheric lighting, colored effects, and well‑chosen locations that create a haunting mood. However, the production is criticized for reliance on clichés and uneven editing, and the dubbing is described as detrimental. Overall, the technical artistry is above average but not uniformly polished.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are described as solid and occasionally nuanced. Some reviewers note fine acting and moments of genuine tension, yet the poor dubbing and shallow character development reduce emotional resonance. The cast’s chemistry is generally unremarkable, and several critics find the characters lacking depth, resulting in a moderate assessment of this aspect.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow receive the most criticism, with many citing a weak, half‑realized plot and predictable horror tropes. While a few reviewers acknowledge a promising premise and occasional tension, the pacing is uneven and the narrative often feels disjointed or silly. The lack of originality and unresolved folklore elements lead to a largely unsatisfying storytelling experience.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Sensory experience is highlighted by the film’s chilling atmosphere and effective use of sound and visual style. Reviewers praise the eerie soundtrack, ambient sound design, and vivid color palettes that enhance the horror mood. Nevertheless, the problematic dubbing detracts from auditory immersion, and occasional visual excesses are viewed as distracting, yielding a slightly above‑average sensory score.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Rewatch factor is low, as most viewers report limited desire to revisit the film. The uneven plot, flat emotional delivery, and lack of memorable moments reduce its replay value. A minority note occasional suspenseful scenes, but overall the consensus indicates the film fails to sustain lasting appeal, making repeat viewings unlikely.

Box office

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest Box Office

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest grossed $1.4 million worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.4M

International
$1.4M
Videos

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest.

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest theatrical trailer - Svyatoslav Podgaevskiy Russian horror
Details

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “Яга. Кошмар темного леса” and “Yaga. Koshmar Tyomnogo Lesa”.

Also known as
  • Яга. Кошмар темного леса
  • Yaga. Koshmar Tyomnogo Lesa
  • Yaga: Koshmar temnogo lesa
  • 芭芭雅嘎:林中恶魔
  • Baba Yaga: El regreso del demonio
  • 바바 야가: 테러 오브 더 다크 포레스트
  • Baba Yaga: Terreur in het donkere woud
  • A Babá: O Chamado das Sombras
  • Яга. Кошмар тёмного леса
  • Baba Yaga : La Forêt des damnés
  • Baba Yaga: El terror del Bosque Oscuro
  • Baba Yaga: Ác Quỷ Rừng Sâu
+13 more
  • Баба ЯГА: Кошмарът в тъмната гора
  • Jaga. Tamsiojo miško košmaras
  • Jaga: A sötét erdő titka
  • 바바 야가: 숲의 악령
  • Baba Jaga. Koszmar ciemnego lasu
  • จ้างผีมาเลี้ยงเด็ก
  • Baba Yaga - Incubo nella foresta oscura
  • Яга. Кошмар темного лісу
  • Baba Yaga. De schrik van het donkere woud
  • 鬼保母
  • Baba Yaga:Karanlık Ormanın Terörü
  • アナザー・ワールド 異次元の怪物
  • بابا یاگا:قتل در جنگل تاریک

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FAQ

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest?

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest released?

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest was released on February 27, 2020.

Who directed Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest?

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest was directed by Svyatoslav Podgaevsky.

More films by Svyatoslav Podgaevsky

Who is in the cast of Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest?

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest stars Svetlana Ustinova as Tatyana, nanny, Oleg Chugunov as Egor and Igor Khripunov as Mrachnyy, among 22 credited actors.

How much did Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest make at the box office?

Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest grossed $1.4 million worldwide.

Does Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest have a post-credit scene?

No. Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest in?

The original language of Baba Yaga: Terror of the Dark Forest is Russian.

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