The Hollow Child

"Between "The Orphanage," "Hereditary," "The Shining" and "The Orphan," to name a few; there are dozens of horror films that use the "sinister children" trope, with varying degrees of success. Jeremy Lutter's debut feature film and Ben Rollo's screenplay, "The Forest of Spirits," is a Canadian production with a modest budget that draws inspiration from Anglo-Saxon folklore legends of the "Changeling," spirits (or other supernatural entities) left by mythical creatures as a replacement for a stolen child. Therefore, and with its few resources, the film manages to create a palpable atmosphere of fear of the unknown (more akin to Robert Eggers' "The Witch"), although the real tension is psychological, focused on the changing family dynamics between the protagonist and her adoptive family following the disappearance of the foster sister. Even if it's not the most impactful or innovative horror movie, it is an effective proposal if you're looking into this genre."