The Duality of "Troll 2": From Cult Classic to Norwegian Sequel

The original *Troll 2*, released in 1990, is often regarded as one of the worst films ever made. Directed by Claudio Fragasso, it follows the Waits family as they vacation in the eerie town of Nilbog, where they encounter vegetarian goblins that eat humans. The film has gained a cult following due to its infamous dialogue and poor production quality, leading to a documentary titled *Best Worst Movie*, directed by Michael Stephenson, who starred in the original. The film has recently been restored and released in a 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray edition by Vinegar Syndrome, featuring special features such as interviews with the cast and crew, and a 40-page book.

Experience the Cinematic Insanity of ‘Troll 2’ in 4K from Vinegar Syndrome

In contrast, the new *Troll 2*, directed by Roar Uthaug, is a Norwegian monster film set to premiere on Netflix. Uthaug, inspired by 1990s sci-fi and disaster films, envisioned a story where a troll wreaks havoc in modern Oslo. The film continues the narrative from the 2022 *Troll*, which became the most streamed non-English language film on Netflix, garnering over 103 million views in its first three months.

Variety Magazine

The sequel features returning characters, including palaeontologist Professor Nora Tidemann, played by Ine Marie Wilmann, who must confront a new, destructive troll known as Megatroll. Uthaug emphasizes the film's blend of humor, warmth, and Norwegian folklore, aiming to create a character-driven narrative that resonates with audiences. The production values are notably high, with extensive use of real locations and advanced visual effects to bring the trolls to life.

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Uthaug has expressed his desire to maintain authenticity in storytelling, stating, “It’s really important that you care about the characters.” Netflix executives have highlighted the film's potential for global appeal, with Larry Tanz noting, “We’re bringing the support for our filmmakers at a level they might not normally experience.” The success of the first *Troll* film has set high expectations for the sequel.

Variety Magazine

While the original *Troll 2* is celebrated for its unintentional comedy, the new film faces skepticism from fans of the cult classic. Critics have pointed out the stark differences in tone and style, with some expressing disappointment that the new *Troll 2* does not share the same absurdity that made the original a beloved failure.

Gizmodo

Uthaug has hinted at the possibility of further installments, coining the term "trollogy" to describe the potential for a trilogy. If *Troll 2* achieves similar success as its predecessor, a third film could be on the horizon, continuing to explore the intersection of Norwegian folklore and modern cinematic storytelling.

Variety Magazine

• “I thought, What would happen if a troll, for real, was walking through the center of Oslo today? How would the government and the army react? And that was the first inspiration for the movie,” — Roar Uthaug, Director

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• “ The one thing that doesn’t look local in “Troll 2” is the scale of the budget and production values.” — Jenny Stjernströmer Björk, VP of Nordic Content at Netflix

Variety Magazine

• “We’ve talked about this and the word ‘trollogy’ does sound really good,” — Roar Uthaug, Director

Variety Magazine

This juxtaposition of the original *Troll 2* and the new sequel illustrates the evolving landscape of monster films, blending nostalgia with contemporary storytelling.

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