Troll (2022)
Story overview
In this Norwegian fantasy adventure, an ancient troll is awakened by an explosion in the mountains, threatening the country with destruction. A brave paleontologist is tasked with stopping the creature before it causes widespread devastation.
Parent Guide
A fantasy adventure with moderate action and peril suitable for most children 8 and up who can handle fantasy threats and suspense.
Content breakdown
Fantasy violence involving a giant troll destroying buildings, vehicles, and landscapes. Characters are in peril throughout as they try to stop the creature. Some tense chase sequences and confrontations with the troll.
The troll is large and imposing, with scenes of it causing destruction. Some suspenseful moments as characters try to evade or confront the creature. The troll's awakening and roaring may be intense for sensitive viewers.
No strong or offensive language noted in the film.
No sexual content or nudity present.
No depiction of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco use.
Moderate emotional intensity with suspenseful sequences, characters in danger, and the threat of destruction. Some scenes of urgency and concern as characters work to stop the troll.
Parent tips
This action-packed fantasy film features moderate peril and fantasy violence as characters confront a giant troll. The troll's appearance and destructive actions may be intense for younger viewers. There's no sexual content, strong language, or substance use. Best for children 8+ who can handle fantasy threats and some suspenseful sequences.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- What did the troll look like?
- Were you scared when the troll was walking?
- Which character did you like best?
- How did the paleontologist use her knowledge to help?
- What would you do if you saw a giant troll?
- Why was it important for everyone to work together?
- How does this movie compare to other monster movies you've seen?
- What scientific methods did they use to understand the troll?
- What does this story tell us about respecting nature and ancient things?
- How does this film use Norwegian mythology in a modern context?
- What ethical questions arise when dealing with a creature like this?
- How does the film balance action with character development?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Troll' is a story about cultural amnesia and the cost of progress. The troll's rampage isn't random aggression—it's a displaced creature whose ancient mountain home has been tunneled through for a modern railway. The film explores how Nora, the paleontologist protagonist, must bridge two worlds: her scientific training and the folk wisdom her father tried to instill. The characters are driven by conflicting loyalties—to national security, to scientific truth, to cultural preservation. The real monster might be the bureaucracy that would rather destroy the unknown than understand it, culminating in a tragic ending where the last of a species is killed because coexistence was never considered.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The film employs a grounded, almost documentarian visual style for its monster scenes, using wide shots to emphasize the troll's scale against Norwegian landscapes. The color palette shifts distinctly: warm, earthy tones in flashbacks to Nora's childhood with her father contrast with the cold, blue-tinged military operations. The troll's design cleverly incorporates elements of Norwegian topography—its skin resembles moss-covered stone, and its movements have a seismic, geological weight. Action sequences avoid frenetic editing, instead using longer takes that make the destruction feel consequential rather than sensational. The final confrontation in Oslo uses stark lighting that casts both the troll and the soldiers in similar silhouettes, visually questioning who the real aggressor is.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
The troll was created using practical effects where possible, with actors in motion-capture suits performing on oversized sets to achieve realistic weight and movement. Director Roar Uthaug insisted on filming in actual Norwegian locations rather than soundstages, including dangerous shoots in real mountain tunnels. Actor Ine Marie Wilmann (Nora) trained with paleontologists to learn proper fossil-handling techniques. The troll's roar is a composite of recorded stone avalanches and bear vocalizations. Notably, the film's budget was modest for a creature feature, but it became Netflix's most-watched non-English film at the time of release, sparking discussions about Scandinavian folklore in global cinema.
Where to watch
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Trailer
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