Troll 2 Is a Solid, Unspectacular Sequel (Review)

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Back in December 2022, the Norwegian monster movie Troll, directed by Roar Uthaug, became Netflix’s most-watched non-English original film. Now, three years later, Uthaug and his team are back with Troll 2, and fans are eager to see if they can recapture the success of the first film. Whether they can depends on what made the original so special to begin with.

Don’t expect Troll 2 to be as good as the original Troll, or to reach the heights of a film like The Dark Knight. It doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor, and the visuals aren’t as strong. However, it’s not a failure either. The director still tells a good story, the actors are great, and the troll-related action is still very entertaining.

Fans of the original movie will likely enjoy this one, but it doesn’t quite stand out as something truly new or essential compared to the first Troll film.

Rating: 3 out of 5

PROS CONS
Exciting worldbuilding that furthers the saga Feels less urgent and more “here we go again”
Solid action between well-designed monsters A glossed-over, made for streaming appearance
A great cast that picks up where they left off Choppy, inconsistent writing

Picking Up Where Troll Left Off

Troll 2 picks up where the first movie left off, bringing the main characters back for another adventure. While the way they reunite isn’t particularly original, the story gains momentum and becomes engaging enough to get past a slow beginning.

Nora, played by Ine Marie Wilmann, is brought out of hiding by Andreas (Kim Falck) with the chance to study trolls. A secret operation has captured a troll, keeping it sedated while they research it. But things quickly go wrong when the troll escapes, unleashing a wave of destruction across Norway.

Together with their friend Kris, a member of the military, they embark on a mission to stop the troll from causing too much destruction, and during their journey, they discover a conspiracy that’s been hidden for centuries.

At its best, Troll 2 feels like a fun adventure similar to National Treasure. Nora and her friends travel across the country, uncovering the history of both the trolls and the person traditionally tasked with defeating them. They find old writings and explore forgotten tombs. This combination of history and monsters is really enjoyable, but unfortunately, the movie doesn’t focus on it enough.

Even when Troll 2 feels like it needs more excitement or backstory, the actors manage to keep the story going. Wilmann and Falck are strong leads, but Petterson continues to be the surprisingly best performer.

Troll Deserves Better Than Netflix’s Drab Visuals

Many movies and shows from streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video have a very polished, almost artificial look. People have made a lot of videos analyzing why this frustrating visual style is so common, and it doesn’t seem to be improving. It’s particularly disappointing to see it in films by talented directors like Uthaug.

The Troll movies are strongly connected to the rich mythology, history, and natural beauty of Norway. The trolls feel like an integral part of the country, and the film’s settings are breathtaking – they really should be a central feature. However, watching the film through a streaming service doesn’t fully capture the grandeur and spectacle that Norway deserves.

Showing Troll 2 in theaters, or releasing it on Blu-ray, could actually make the picture quality look much better. Streaming services like Netflix often compress videos, which degrades the image (many people noticed this with Frankenstein when comparing the theater and streaming versions). Regardless, Troll 2 feels flat and lifeless when it should be vibrant and full of color.

Even though it has flaws, Troll 2 isn’t a disaster visually, thanks to director Uthaug’s strong visual sense and skillful camera work. The beautiful Norwegian scenery also helps. Combined with a good cast and some creative world-building, this Troll sequel still offers some enjoyable moments.

Based on how the movie ends, it seems likely there will be a third installment, and Troll 2 has enough appeal to attract fans back for another sequel.

Troll 2 debuts hits Netflix everywhere on December 1st.

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2025-11-27 11:10