1. Plot Summary
Set in Norway, the film begins when a large excavation project in the Dovre Mountains disturbs an ancient being long trapped beneath the earth. As seismic disturbances and mysterious destruction escalate, evidence suggests that what has awakened is not a natural disaster but a troll — a creature of Scandinavian myth. But Why Tho?+3Wikipedia+3Common Sense Media+3
The government assembles a team to investigate, including Nora Tidemann (Ine Marie Wilmann), a scientist whose father was obsessed with troll legends, and Captain Kris Holm, a military operative. Together (with others), they attempt to find ways to stop the creature before it reaches Oslo and causes mass destruction. fernbyfilms.com+3Common Sense Media+3Wikipedia+3
As Nora uncovers forgotten folklore, political conspiracies, and the Troll’s tragic past, she faces moral dilemmas: is the troll purely villainous, or a victim of human hubris? And in confronting it, how much destruction must humanity inflict in return? fernbyfilms.com+4Wikipedia+4But Why Tho?+4
2. Notable Elements
Visual Effects & Creature Design
One of the stronger assets is the troll itself: its scale, texture, movement, and how it emerges from rock make for a striking visual. Critics often highlight the CGI work as “genuinely impressive” even if not perfect in all shots. The Cosmic Circus+4Rotten Tomatoes+4But Why Tho?+4
The way the film stages the troll’s reveal — camouflaged against mountain faces, gradually shifting shape — builds suspense and a sense of awe. Rotten Tomatoes+3But Why Tho?+3Wikipedia+3
Mythology & Folklore Integration
Unlike many monster films that treat the creature as purely destructive, Troll weaves in Nordic folklore: legends of trolls turned to stone by sunlight, how Christianization suppressed pagan entities, and the notion of reclaiming ancestral lands. bostonhassle.com+4Wikipedia+4But Why Tho?+4
These mythic layers give the story more depth than a standard “giant monster attacks city” plot. They also allow the narrative to explore human culpability, history, and the clash between modernity and tradition. fernbyfilms.com+3bostonhassle.com+3But Why Tho?+3
Performances & Human Stakes
- Ine Marie Wilmann (Nora) carries much of the emotional weight: her scientific skepticism, personal connection to folklore, and growing empathy add layers. fernbyfilms.com+4Wikipedia+4But Why Tho?+4
- Gard B. Eidsvold as Tobias (Nora’s father) anchors the mythic side: his belief in trolls is once dismissed, but his knowledge becomes crucial. bostonhassle.com+3Wikipedia+3The Cosmic Circus+3
- Kim Falck (Andreas) and Mads Sjøgård Pettersen (Kris Holm) play supporting roles — the political and military angles — providing both pragmatism and tension. boundingintocomics.com+3Wikipedia+3But Why Tho?+3
The interactions among these characters provide the human center in the chaos. Some critics argue the human side is underwritten, but the leads manage given the scale of spectacle. bostonhassle.com+3The Independent+3Metacritic+3
Pacing & Tone
The film moves briskly; it doesn’t waste much time before the threat escalates. Many reviews note it “rips along at breakneck speed.” Common Sense Media+2But Why Tho?+2
But at times the tone shifts — between spectacle, folklore, political intrigue, and disaster movie beats — and that unevenness weakens coherence. Some scenes seem more like exposition dumps than organic development. bostonhassle.com+2But Why Tho?+2
3. Themes & Messages
- Nature vs Humanity / Retribution: The troll is awakened by human intrusion (mining, drilling), making it a symbol of nature’s pushback. The film critiques humanity’s blindness to ancient powers and environmental hubris. bostonhassle.com+2The Cosmic Circus+2
- Forgotten History & Cultural Erasure: Trolls, once believed, were suppressed by religion and modernization. The film suggests there is value in remembering myth and respecting the old. Wikipedia+2But Why Tho?+2
- Sympathy for the “Monster”: The troll is not pure evil. At times it acts to protect or reclaim, and the film encourages the audience to see it as more than a destructive force. boundingintocomics.com+2But Why Tho?+2
- Sacrifice & Moral Dilemmas: In the climax, characters must choose whether to destroy or try to save, balancing human safety against deeper truths.
- Myth & Belief: The power of stories, legends, and belief plays a large role — beliefs dismissed as superstition become central to survival.
In relation to holiday or seasonal sentiments, Troll doesn’t overtly link to festive themes. However, ideas of renewal, reckoning with the past, the triumph of memory over erasure, and the need for empathy across divides echo motifs found in reflective holiday narratives.
4. Personal Impressions
I found Troll (2022) to be a solid entry in the monster / kaiju genre from a folkloric angle. While not revolutionary, it often delivers more than one expects from a streaming monster flick.
Strengths:
- The visuals, especially the troll’s emergence and the Norwegian landscapes, are striking and atmospheric.
- The merger of folklore and monster spectacle gives it a unique flavor compared to more generic “giant beast attacks city” films.
- The tension works when the troll is hidden or hinted at — the buildup is often more effective than full displays.
- The emotional conflict, especially involving Nora and her father’s legacy, adds weight to what could be just a spectacle film.
Weaknesses:
- As many critics point out, the script is predictable in many beats — the genre tropes are worn (military bungles, dismissive authorities, last-minute solutions). bostonhassle.com+3Rotten Tomatoes+3The Independent+3
- Character development is light — many supporting characters feel like functional types rather than fully realized people.
- In some wide or action-heavy shots, the CGI shows strain, and suspension of disbelief is tested.
- The tonal shifts (folklore thinking vs military disaster vs political intrigue) sometimes clash in mood.
Despite its flaws, the film delivers on spectacle and mythic ambition.
5. Audience Recommendations
You’re likely to enjoy Troll (2022) if:
- You like monster films / kaiju and are curious to see the genre filtered through Nordic folklore.
- You appreciate a mix of fantasy, action, and myth rather than pure horror.
- You’re okay with some narrative clichés as long as the world and creature work are solid.
- You want a cinematic spectacle on streaming — something impressive, not perfect.
You might be less satisfied if:
- You demand deep character arcs, tight plotting, or originality above spectacle.
- You dislike CGI or effects that don’t always hold up.
- You prefer tone consistency over genre-blending.
6. Conclusion & Rating
Troll (2022) is an entertaining, ambitious monster film with a folkloric heart. It may not break new ground, but its visual scale, mythic roots, and moments of emotional resonance make it stand out in the streaming monster genre. For fans of kaiju, mythology, or Nordic fantasy, it’s worth a look.
Final recommendation: Watch it with expectations of a fun, myth-infused spectacle rather than a flawless epic. It’s best approached as a creature-feature with cultural flavor.
Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)
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