A Norwegian monster movie that turns ancient folklore into a modern city-destroying spectacle
In short: When a drilling operation in the Dovre mountains awakens an ancient, 164-foot giant, Norway faces an existential threat. Director Roar Uthaug’s 2022 film blends classic monster movie tropes with deep-rooted Scandinavian mythology, following a paleontologist’s desperate race to uncover the truth behind the creature’s rampage toward the capital, Oslo.
The 2022 film Troll, directed by Roar Uthaug and written by Espen Aukan, centers on the discovery of a colossal creature awakened by industrial activity in the Dovre mountains. The narrative follows Nora Tidemann, a paleontologist who realizes that the destruction caused by the beast is not a geological anomaly but the movement of a legendary entity. As the creature marches toward Oslo, Nora uncovers a dark history: trolls were once a thriving species in Norway until they were systematically massacred by Christian settlers led by King Olaf, an event buried by centuries of folklore and state-sanctioned cover-ups.
Uthaug, who had been developing the concept for over two decades, aimed to create a spectacle that felt both familiar and distinct. While critics noted similarities to established monster franchises like Godzilla and King Kong, many praised the film for its high-quality visual effects and the unique mythology surrounding the troll’s vulnerability to sunlight. The production, which wrapped in November 2021, utilized various Norwegian locations to ground the fantasy in a tangible setting, even as the plot leaned into the tropes of the disaster genre.
The film’s reception was generally positive, with reviewers highlighting the balance between its derivative structure and its fresh, folklore-inspired elements. Despite some criticism regarding a lack of specific Scandinavian cultural depth, the movie resonated with audiences, leading to a sequel released in 2025. The ending leaves the door open for further exploration, as the final scenes suggest that the creature’s awakening might not be an isolated incident, hinting at more monsters lurking deep within the Norwegian landscape.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Troll (2022 film)
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