TROLL 2
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Troll 2 (2025): A Comprehensive Review of the Sequel That Couldn’t
Recapture the Magic
A Detailed Analysis of Roar Uthaug’s Return to Norwegian Monster Mayhem
Executive Summary
In December 2022, Roar Uthaug’s Troll arrived on Netflix as a delightful
surprise a Norwegian creature feature that embraced kaiju conventions while
infusing them with Scandinavian folklore and unexpected heart. It became a
global phenomenon, racking up an estimated 103 million views and becoming
Netflix’s most watched non-English language film of all time . A sequel was
inevitable. Three years later, Troll 2 stomped onto Netflix on December 1,
2025, promising bigger stakes, more monsters, and a deeper dive into Norse
mythology .
The result is a film that, by almost every measure, falls short of its
predecessor. While the visual effects remain exceptional the trolls are
rendered with the same meticulous attention to detail that made the
original’s creature so memorable the magic that elevated the first film is
largely absent . The sequel reunites the core cast: Ine Marie Wilmann
returns as Nora Tidemann, the discredited troll expert; Kim Falck reprises
his role as government advisor Andreas Isaksen; and Mads Sjøgård Pettersen
returns as the now-promoted Major Kristoffer Holm . This time, the threat is
twofold: a newly awakened “Megatroll” called Jotun, and a second, more
sympathetic troll that must be unleashed to challenge it .
Critical reception has been decidedly mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film
holds a 58% critics’ score a significant drop from the original’s 90% .
Metacritic aggregates to a 64 out of 100 , while the user score sits at a
dismal 39% . Rue Morgue’s Michael Gingold, a veteran horror critic with
decades of experience, wrote that the film “stomps its way through a
straight-faced scenario with too much generic dialogue and not quite enough
creature action” . RogerEbert.com’s Simon Abrams was similarly underwhelmed,
noting that the film “doesn’t have nearly enough action, monster-related or
otherwise, to justify its existence” .
Yet for all its critical shortcomings, Troll 2 has performed remarkably well
on the streaming platform. Within 24 hours of its release, it hit the No. 1
spot globally on Netflix’s Top 10 charts, outpacing competitors and
demonstrating that audience curiosity or perhaps nostalgia for the original
remains strong . The sequel’s success is a testament to the power of brand
recognition, even when the product itself fails to meet expectations.
This review will examine Troll 2 from every angle: its production history
and the ambitious expansion of its creature effects, its narrative structure
and the deeper mythology it attempts to explore, the performances that
anchor its human drama, the visual effects that remain its strongest asset,
and the reasons why a film with so much technical polish can still feel so
hollow. We will explore why the sequel struggles to recapture the magic of
the original, and whether it deserves a place alongside the first film in
Netflix’s growing monster movie franchise.
Movie Details
Category Information
Title Troll 2
Release Date December 1, 2025 (Netflix)
Running Time 102 minutes
Budget Not publicly disclosed (higher than the original’s estimated $60
million)
Box Office Netflix streaming release
Director Roar Uthaug
Screenplay Espen Aukan
Story By Roar Uthaug, Espen Aukan
Producers Espen Horn, Kristian Strand Sinkerud
Cinematography Jallo Faber
Music Johannes Ringen
Visual Effects Supervisor Esben Syberg
Production Companies Motion Blur, Netflix
Distributor Netflix
Rating Not rated (equivalent to PG-13 for fantasy violence and peril)
Main Cast
Actor Role
Ine Marie Wilmann as Nora Tidemann
Kim Falck as Andreas Isaksen
Mads Sjøgård Pettersen as Major Kristoffer Holm
Karoline Viktoria Sletteng as l Garvang Sigrid Hodne
Sara Khorami as Marion Rhadani
Yusuf Toosh as Ibra Amir
Gard B. Eidsvold as Tobias Tidemann (flashback)
Ola G. Furuseth as Prime Minister
Production Context: Bigger, Faster, Stronger
The Director: Roar Uthaug’s Return to Form
Roar Uthaug returned to direct Troll 2 after the original’s unexpected
success. Uthaug had previously established himself with Norwegian disaster
films like The Wave (2015) and the Hollywood reboot Tomb Raider (2018). His
background in crafting large scale spectacle on modest budgets served him
well in the first film, and he brings that same technical competence to the
sequel .
However, critics noted that Uthaug’s approach this time feels more routine.
The Rue Morgue review observed that the director “harks back to another of
his previous movies, the 2018 Tomb Raider, spending too much time in the
second half with our leads seeking and uncovering Saint Olaf’s burial place”
. This Indiana Jones-style treasure hunt replaces some of the
creature-focused mayhem that made the original so entertaining.
The VFX Team: MPC Paris Raises the Bar
If there is one area where Troll 2 unquestionably improves upon its
predecessor, it is in the visual effects. The film was produced by a
consortium of effects houses, with MPC Paris playing a central role in
bringing the two trolls to life .
Cyrille Bonjean, who led the VFX team for MPC Paris, described the
challenges of creating not one but two distinct troll characters. The
primary antagonist, Jotun (or “Megatroll”), required extensive work on its
animation, destruction FX, and interaction with the Norwegian landscape. The
sympathetic second troll, YME, was developed by another studio (One of Us)
and adapted into MPC’s pipeline, requiring careful attention to continuity .
One of the most challenging sequences involved the destruction of the
Stavkroa ski resort. The team built a cardboard model to test different
destruction options before committing to the final approach a low tech
solution that saved significant production time . The result, according to
the Rue Morgue review, is that “the digital creature effects supervised by
Esben Syberg are excellent” .
Filming Locations: Norway and Beyond
Principal photography took place across Norway, with locations including the
Vemork Power Station (a real world historical site that plays a central role
in the plot), the Dovre mountains, and the city of Trondheim . However, the
production’s ambition required additional filming in Budapest, Hungary, for
certain sequences that could not be accommodated in Norway . This
international approach reflects the increased scale of the sequel.
The Sequel’s Self-Awareness
The filmmakers are clearly aware of the challenges of following a hit. The
script includes self-conscious dialogue that acknowledges the sequel’s
position: Nora asks at one point, “So you’re going to make the same mistakes
all over again?” while Andreas quips, “Sequels are never any good anyway,”
only to be answered with “Everyone loves sequels” . As Rue Morgue notes,
this self-awareness “doesn’t quite take the curse off Troll 2’s lack of
fresh twists on the original concept” .
The Future: Troll 3?
Despite the mixed critical reception, the film’s strong streaming
performance has made a third installment likely. A mid-credits scene
described by one reviewer as “lifted directly from a certain ’80s remake”
sets up a continuation of the franchise . OutNow’s review confirms that
“anyone who doesn’t run away during the credits will get to see a little
teaser that quite clearly points to a next chapter in the series” .
Plot Summary: Two Trolls, One Problem
The Prologue: Mythology Revisited
The film opens with a animated sequence that illustrates the purported
origin of trolls their peaceful coexistence with mankind in a previous time,
and their extinction under a newly Christianized society a thousand years
ago . This is presented as a bedtime story from Tobias Tidemann (Gard B.
Eidsvold) to his young daughter Nora, establishing the same folkloric
foundation that grounded the first film.
The Setup: Nora in Exile
Thirty years later, Nora (Ine Marie Wilmann) is living in hermit-like
isolation in a remote cabin, still mourning her father’s death during the
events of the original film . She has been dismissed from the government’s
“Troll Commission” and has withdrawn from public life . Her solitude is
interrupted by the arrival of Andreas Isaksen (Kim Falck), the somewhat
bumbling government advisor from the first film, who now serves the new
Prime Minister.
The Awakening: Jotun Rises
Nora is flown to the Vemork Power Station in the snowy Norwegian mountains,
a vast hydroelectric facility that secretly houses a hibernating troll the
authorities have been trying to rouse and control for decades . The
creature, originally called Jotun and now dubbed “Megatroll,” is being held
in dormant captivity. Using precisely the “nursery rhymes and superstition”
that her superiors dismiss, Nora inadvertently awakens the giant where they
had failed .
Jotun breaks free from its subterranean prison, an ages-old anger at
humanity bringing dire consequences to unlucky patrons at a ski resort
disco, which the creature tears open and uses as an “apres ski amuse bouche”
.
The Alliance: Old Friends, New Faces
Nora, Andreas, and the returning Major Kris Holm (Mads Sjøgård Pettersen)
are reunited, along with Sigrid (Karoline Viktoria Sletteng Garvang)
Andreas’ techie-nerd girlfriend, now pregnant and fellow soldier Amir (Yusuf
Toosh Ibra) . They are joined by Marion Rhadani (Sara Khorami), a skeptical
evolutionary biologist assigned to the troll project .
The government’s conventional firepower proves useless against a creature
made of “earth and stone” . Nora argues that the trolls are not merely
monstrous threats but beings with history and motivation specifically, a
score to settle with Saint Olaf, the revered Norwegian king whose
Christianization campaign led to the extermination of the trolls centuries
ago .
The Solution: A Second Troll
Nora discovers that there is a second, hibernating troll this one more
sympathetic that can be awakened to serve as a challenger to Jotun. This
second troll, YME, is described as the “Son of the King” and has its own
connection to the mythology .
The film’s second half follows an Indiana Jones-style treasure hunt as Nora
and her team search for Saint Olaf’s burial place and the artifacts needed
to awaken and communicate with the second troll . The climax brings the two
trolls together for a War of the Gargantuas-esque confrontation in Trondheim
.
The Climax: A Fight That Ends Too Quickly
The promised troll-on-troll battle is given surprisingly short shrift. Rue
Morgue notes that “the first clash is over before it starts, and their
subsequent big bout isn’t long or inventive enough to fully deliver the
goods either” . A climactic sacrifice clearly telegraphed well in advance
aims for emotional resonance but falls short .
The film ends with the immediate threat resolved but a mid-credits scene
teasing a third installment .
Character Analysis: Familiar Faces, Diminished Returns
Nora Tidemann: The Reluctant Heroine Returns
Ine Marie Wilmann’s Nora remains the emotional center of the franchise, but
her character arc in the sequel is less compelling than in the original. She
begins the film as a hermit, mourning her father and withdrawn from the
world. The crisis forces her back into action, but her journey feels more
like a rehash of the first film than a genuine evolution.
The Guardian notes that Nora’s characterization is “token,” with her
“expeditiously switch[ing] from troll-whisperer to firing on them with holy
water filled grenades” without much internal logic. Variety is slightly more
generous, noting that Wilmann’s performance “brings empathy to her
character”.
Andreas Isaksen: The Nerd with a Baby
Kim Falck’s Andreas returns as the government advisor and pop-culture
enthusiast. This time, his girlfriend Sigrid is pregnant, adding a layer of
personal stakes that the film rarely explores . The RogerEbert.com review
notes that “there’s Andreas and Siggy’s baby, which rarely comes up,” making
the subplot feel like an afterthought .
Andreas’ dialogue is filled with groan-worthy references, including a
shout-out to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan that one critic called
“cloying” . His role is largely to be the comic relief, though the humor
doesn’t always land.
Major Kristoffer Holm: The Underutilized Charisma
Mads Sjøgård Pettersen’s Kris was one of the highlights of the original film
a soldier with a conscience who became Nora’s ally. In the sequel, he has
been promoted to Major and given a flirtatious subplot with the new
character Marion.
Variety notes that “once again Pettersen’s Kris, the most charismatic figure
here, isn’t granted quite enough focus” . His character feels sidelined in
favor of the new addition, and his potential romantic arc with Marion is
left unresolved.
Marion Rhadani: The Skeptic Who Converts
Sara Khorami joins the cast as Marion, an evolutionary biologist who
initially dismisses Nora’s folkloric approach. Her skepticism is meant to
provide conflict, but as RogerEbert.com notes, “Marion’s attitude almost
immediately softens” once Kris starts flirting with her .
Infobae describes her evolution as “simpática pero poco desarrollada”
(charming but underdeveloped) . The character represents an attempt to
diversify the cast and introduce new dynamics, but she is given insufficient
screen time to make an impression.
The New Trolls: Jotun and YME
The two new trolls are the film’s most impressive technical achievement.
Jotun, the antagonist, is described by The Guardian as “looking like Danny
McBride in the throes of a full-body fungal infection” a memorable if
unflattering description. YME, the sympathetic second troll, is covered in
vegetation and described as the “Son of the King” .
Rue Morgue notes that “the digital creature effects supervised by Esben
Syberg are excellent,” but that the trolls “just get to run around, make
light mischief, and vaguely suggest that things could become more
catastrophic if they aren’t stopped” .
Thematic Analysis: What Troll 2 Is Trying to Say
The Violence of Christianization
One of the film’s more ambitious themes is the critique of Norway’s
Christianization. The prologue establishes that the trolls lived peacefully
alongside humans until “Olaf the Holy” launched a campaign to exterminate
them. The repeated references to Saint Olaf in a wintry setting may, as Rue
Morgue notes, put some viewers “inescapably in mind of The Golden Girls or
Frozen” .
The film suggests that Jotun’s rampage is not mindless destruction but
revenge against the man who destroyed his people. The Guardian notes that
“with much talk of the country’s Christian forefathers imposing uniformity
by wiping out the trolls, Uthaug may be implying some rottenness in the
state of present-day Norway” . The casting is “pointedly diverse,” with Amir
calling to Allah during a dangerous moment, further emphasizing the
multicultural subtext .
However, as The Guardian concludes, “if Troll 2 is some kind of allegory for
immigration or multiculturalism, then it wears it lightly” . The theme is
present but never developed.
The Colonialism of Science
The film also critiques the arrogance of scientific authority. Nora’s
dismissal from the Troll Commission reflects the establishment’s
unwillingness to take folklore seriously. When she is brought back, her
“nursery rhymes and superstition” are still dismissed by her superiors until
they prove effective .
The government’s attempts to control and weaponize Jotun represent a form of
technological colonialism, the desire to harness nature for human ends.
Nora’s insistence that the trolls have their own history and motivation
challenges this instrumental view.
The Failure of Government
Like its predecessor, Troll 2 portrays government officials as bumbling and
ethically compromised. The Prime Minister and his advisors are willing to
sacrifice civilian lives for political expediency. As Rue Morgue notes,
there’s a “sociopolitical undertone” in how the government’s failures are
depicted .
The Environmental Subtext
The film gestures toward environmental themes as well. The trolls are
creatures of “earth and stone” , awakened by human intrusion into their
territory. The destruction they cause mirrors the destruction humans have
inflicted on the natural world.
Action and Visual Effects: The Film’s Saving Grace
The Trolls: A Technical Triumph
If there is one area where Troll 2 delivers, it is in the visual effects.
The team at MPC Paris, working alongside other studios, created two distinct
troll characters with expressive faces, convincing interactions with their
environment, and a sense of scale that rivals Hollywood blockbusters .
The Rue Morgue review notes that “the digital creature effects supervised by
Esben Syberg are excellent” . The OutNow review adds that “the special
effects wizards don’t do things by halves, and Troll 2 leaves a trail of
destruction the likes of which Norway has never seen before” .
The Destruction Sequences: Impressive but Brief
The film’s destruction sequences are well-executed but, according to
multiple critics, too brief. The ski resort attack is a highlight the troll
peels open the top of a nightclub and helps itself to “apres ski amuse
bouches” but it’s over quickly.
RogerEbert.com notes that “the best parts of ‘Troll 2’ unsurprisingly reduce
its characters, big and small, to anonymous cyphers on the trail of a buried
and largely undeveloped history”. In other words, the film spends more time
on exposition and treasure-hunting than on the monster action audiences came
to see.
The Troll Fight: Underwhelming
The much promised clash between Jotun and YME is a disappointment. Rue
Morgue notes that “the first clash is over before it starts, and their
subsequent big bout isn’t long or inventive enough to fully deliver the
goods” . The Guardian adds that the film “flits between elements of
Spielbergian wonderment, Indiana Jones mesque treasure hunt, and
Arrival-style communication with alien entities, without majoring in any of
them” .
The Cinematography: Norwegian Landscapes
Jallo Faber’s cinematography captures the stark beauty of the Norwegian
winter landscape. The snowy mountains, fjords, and forests provide a
majestic backdrop for the destruction. However, one user reviewer noted that
“the giant stone creature’s devastation is minimal, not leaving much else to
care about” .
Pros: What the Film Gets Right
1. Exceptional Visual Effects
The trolls are rendered with the same care and attention to detail that made
the original’s creature so memorable. The CGI is seamless, and the creature
design particularly the vegetation-covered YME is inventive .
2. A Strong Returning Cast
Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, and Mads Sjøgård Pettersen bring their
characters back with conviction. Their familiarity helps bridge the gap
between the two films, even when the material is weaker .
3. Ambitious World-Building
The sequel attempts to deepen the mythology established in the first film,
exploring the history of Saint Olaf and the Christianization of Norway. This
adds a layer of cultural authenticity that generic monster movies lack .
4. Spectacular Destruction Sequences
When the film delivers on its monster-action promise, the results are
impressive. The ski resort attack is a highlight, showcasing the troll’s
scale and the terror it inspires .
5. A Tease for the Future
The mid credits scene sets up a third installment with genuine intrigue,
suggesting that the franchise may have more to offer in the future .
6. Streaming Success
Despite its critical shortcomings, the film has performed exceptionally well
on Netflix, hitting the No. 1 spot globally within a day of its release .
For fans of the original, it offers a return to a world they enjoyed.
Cons: Where the Film Stumbles
1. Not Enough Monster Action
The film’s most consistent criticism is that it doesn’t have enough creature
action. RogerEbert.com notes that “it doesn’t have nearly enough action,
monster-related or otherwise, to justify its existence” . Rue Morgue adds
that there “just aren’t enough of them” .
2. Generic, Uninspired Dialogue
The script has been criticized for its uniformly generic dialogue.
RogerEbert.com notes that “almost every character speaks with the same
unqualified naivete,” making it “hard to care about stock types who, despite
their superficial differences, all essentially sound alike” .
3. Underwhelming Troll Fight
The promised clash between the two trolls is brief and lacking in invention.
Rue Morgue describes it as “not long or inventive enough to fully deliver
the goods” .
4. Underutilized Characters
Returning characters like Kris are given insufficient screen time, while new
characters like Marion are introduced but never developed. The
RogerEbert.com review notes that “everybody’s too nice for this type of
sequel,” with no real conflicts to drive the drama .
5. Derivative Storytelling
The film borrows heavily from other movies Indiana Jones, Godzilla vs. Kong,
Jurassic Park without adding anything new. The Guardian notes that it “wears
everything lightly,” flitting between genres without committing to any .
6. Lack of Stakes
Despite the apocalyptic threat, the film never generates genuine tension.
The characters are protected by plot armor, and the destruction is localized
and contained. One Metacritic user noted that “the giant stone creature’s
devastation is minimal” .
7. The Pacing Problem
The film’s middle section drags, with too much time spent on historical
exposition and treasure hunting. The RogerEbert.com review notes that “so
much time is spent on re-establishing the protagonists’ familiar and likable
nature that the movie’s one unique hook… sometimes feels like an
afterthought”.
8. Underwhelming Performances from New Cast
While the returning cast members are solid, the new additions fail to make
an impression. One Metacritic user noted that there is “no presence of actor
competence” .
Critical Reception: A Consensus of Disappointment
The Rotten Tomatoes Verdict
Troll 2 holds a 58% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes a significant drop
from the original’s 90% and a 39% audience score . The critical consensus,
while not captured in a single quote, reflects a film that is technically
competent but narratively underwhelming.
The Metacritic Picture
On Metacritic, the film has a score of 64 out of 100 based on critic reviews
. The user score is much lower, at 3.9 out of 10, with only 13% of users
giving positive reviews . User comments include:
· “This sequel places some of the characters from the original in a new
situation where two trolls ultimately fight it out… The giant stone
creature’s devastation is minimal, not leaving much else to care about” .
· “This is a shallow but entertaining return to the world created in the
first Troll movie, with Nordic Kaiju once again wreaking havoc in Norway” .
· “I will give it a 2 because the movie was trolling me... effects look
quite cheap and besides that no presence of actor competence” .
Rue Morgue (Michael Gingold)
“The digital creature effects supervised by Esben Syberg are excellent, and
Uthaug builds excitement and awe out of a few other setpieces, but there
just aren’t enough of them… Too much of TROLL 2, in fact, echoes other
movies; motifs (objects vibrating from the approaching troll’s footsteps)
and entire scenes (that same remote house gets trashed again) are repeated
from its predecessor” .
RogerEbert.com (Simon Abrams)
“This sequel doesn’t have nearly enough action, monster-related or
otherwise, to justify its existence… The best parts of ‘Troll 2’
unsurprisingly reduce its characters, big and small, to anonymous cyphers on
the trail of a buried and largely undeveloped history” .
The Guardian (Phil Hoad)
“This is a Netflix sequel to Norwegian horror comedy Troll… with much talk
of the country’s Christian forefathers imposing uniformity by wiping out the
trolls, Uthaug may be implying some rottenness in the state of present-day
Norway… The problem though, is that Troll 2 wears everything lightly” .
Variety (Dennis Harvey)
“It’s slick and fun in just the same way the earlier film was. Though given
the parting promise of a third installment, one hopes Uthaug and writer
Espen Aukan come up with some new twists inspiration is beginning to run a
little thin here” .
The Streaming Success Paradox
Despite the critical drubbing, Troll 2 has been a streaming success.
ComicBook.com reports that the film “hit the No. 1 spot globally just a day
after its debut and has been sitting there ever since” . This performance
suggests that audience curiosity and the goodwill generated by the original
can overcome mediocre reviews.
For Whom Is This Film Recommended?
Fans of the original Troll who are invested in the characters and world will
find a familiar return. The cast is largely intact, and the folkloric
foundation remains strong.
Viewers who enjoy monster movies for their visual effects and destruction
sequences will find moments of genuine spectacle. The trolls are beautifully
rendered, and the ski resort attack is a highlight.
Those who appreciate Norwegian cinema will enjoy the film’s engagement with
Scandinavian mythology and history, even if it’s handled superficially.
Viewers looking for undemanding entertainment on a streaming service could
do worse. The film is short, moves quickly, and delivers the monster mayhem
it promises just not enough of it.
For Whom Is This Film Not Recommended?
Viewers seeking a satisfying sequel to the original will likely be
disappointed. The film lacks the heart and charm that made the first film
special.
Those who require strong character development should look elsewhere. The
characters are archetypes, and their arcs are underdeveloped.
Viewers who found the original’s pacing and creature action satisfying will
be frustrated by the sequel’s emphasis on exposition and treasure-hunting.
Anyone looking for a film that lives up to the promise of its title two
trolls, double the action will be disappointed by the brief and
underwhelming troll fight.
Ratings
Category Rating (out of 10)
Visual Effects/Creature Design 8.0
Action Sequences 5.5
Returning Cast Performances 6.5
New Cast Performances 5.0
Script/Writing 4.0
Character Development 4.5
Pacing 5.0
Originality 4.0
Thematic Ambition 5.5
Entertainment Value (for genre fans) 5.5
Overall 5.5
Final Thoughts
Troll 2 is the kind of sequel that makes you appreciate how difficult it is
to recapture lightning in a bottle. The original Troll worked because it was
a surprise a Norwegian monster movie that embraced kaiju conventions while
maintaining a distinct cultural identity. It had heart, it had humor, and it
had a creature that audiences could root for as much as they feared it.
The sequel has none of those qualities in sufficient measure. It is
technically accomplished but emotionally hollow. It is ambitious but
unfocused. It is a film that tries to do more more monsters, more mythology,
more spectacle and ends up doing less.
The critical divide between the film’s 58% critics’ score and its 39%
audience score is telling. Critics saw a film that was competently made but
narratively empty. Audiences, perhaps hoping for a return to the magic of
the original, were even less forgiving. The film’s strong streaming
performance suggests that curiosity remains, but the poor word-of-mouth will
likely limit its long-term impact.
For the franchise to continue and a third film is clearly being set up the
creative team will need to find something new to say. Bigger trolls and more
destruction are not enough. The original worked because it found the
humanity in its monster story. The sequel forgets that lesson, and the
result is a film that feels like a placeholder rather than a worthy
continuation.
As one critic put it: “Let’s hope for something more figuratively as well as
literally groundbreaking if this cinematic monsterverse winds up becoming a,
ahem, trollogy” . For now, Troll 2 is a reminder that sometimes, bigger is
not better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Troll 2 connected to the infamous 1990 film of the same name?
No. The 1990 Troll 2 is a completely unrelated cult classic directed by
Claudio Fragasso. As Variety notes, the filmmakers are “aware of and
acknowledge that other one that has become a cult favorite,” but this is a
direct sequel to the 2022 Norwegian film .
Do I need to watch the first Troll before Troll 2?
While the sequel provides enough context to follow the plot, watching the
original will enhance your understanding of the characters and their
relationships. The film assumes familiarity with the events of the first
movie.
Why is the critical reception so much worse than the original?
Critics have pointed to several factors: too little creature action, generic
dialogue, underdeveloped characters, and a derivative plot that borrows from
better films without adding anything new .
Is there a post-credits scene?
Yes. A mid credits scene teases a potential third installment, described by
one reviewer as “lifted directly from a certain ’80s remake” .
Will there be a Troll 3?
While not officially announced, the post-credits scene and the film’s strong
streaming performance make a third installment likely. As OutNow notes,
“anyone who doesn’t run away during the credits will get to see a little
teaser that quite clearly points to a next chapter in the series” .
Where can I watch Troll 2?
The film is available exclusively on Netflix as of December 1, 2025 .
Is the film appropriate for children?
The film is not rated but would likely receive a PG-13 for fantasy violence
and peril. There is no gore or sexual content, but the destruction sequences
may be intense for younger viewers.
Sources
1. Michael Gingold. “Movie Review: ‘TROLL 2’ needs more surprises–and more
monster mashing.” Rue Morgue. December 3, 2025.
2. Simon Abrams. “Troll 2 movie review & film summary (2025).”
RogerEbert.com. November 30, 2025.
3. ComicBook.com Staff. “Netflix Just Released a Sequel to One of Its Best
Movies (And It’s Already a Streaming Hit).” ComicBook.com. December 3,
2025.
4. Metacritic User Reviews. “Troll 2 (2025) – User Reviews.” Metacritic.
December 2025.
5. PrimeVideoItalia Staff. “Troll 2 il sequel ottiene il 64 su rotten
tomatoes e inizia a risalire.” primevideoitalia.it. December 1, 2025.
6. MPC Paris Staff. “Troll 2: Behind the VFX – Cyrille Bonjean on Crafting
Chaos and Character.” MPC VFX. December 4, 2025.
7. Phil Hoad. “Troll 2 review – mythical Scandi-kaiju runs amok in
mayhem-filled mockbuster.” The Guardian. November 27, 2025.
8. Dennis Harvey. “‘Troll 2’ Review: Mythological Monsters Return in a Slick
If Unsurprising Sequel to Global Netflix Hit.” Variety. December 10,
2025.
9. Infobae Cultura Staff. “La película más vista en Netflix es la
continuación de un título noruego que fue masacrado por la crítica.”
Infobae. December 1, 2025.
10. Dani Maurer. “Film Review zu ‘Troll 2’ – The bigger the troll, the
longer the beard.” OutNow.ch. December 1, 2025.
Verdict:
– Should You Watch It?
Troll 2 is a film that tries to be bigger than its predecessor but ends
up being less. It has the same technical polish, the same talented cast,
and the same cultural authenticity that made the original so appealing.
But it lacks the charm, the heart, and the sense of discovery that
elevated the first film from a simple creature feature into a global
phenomenon.
For viewers who loved the original and want to spend more time with its
characters and world, Troll 2 offers a modest return. The visual effects
are exceptional, the destruction sequences are well-executed (if too
brief), and the cast remains likable. But for those seeking the same
sense of wonder and excitement that the first film delivered, the sequel
will likely disappoint.
The film’s greatest failure is its inability to justify its own
existence. It adds two trolls where there was one, but it doesn’t add
any new ideas. It deepens the mythology, but it does so at the expense
of the action. It introduces new characters, but it doesn’t develop
them. It is, in the words of one reviewer, “a shallow but entertaining
return” a sequel that exists because the first film was successful, not
because it had a story that needed to be told.
This review was conducted in accordance with content policies and
represents analysis based on available production information, critical
reception, and audience reviews of Troll 2 (2025).
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