Netflix’s Troll 2 Can’t Overcome A Common Kaiju Problem

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The sequel to the surprisingly popular Norwegian monster movie Troll is now available on Netflix, but Troll 2 struggles with a problem that often affects giant monster films. The original Troll, released in 2022, quickly gained a following and led to a sequel that blends Scandinavian myths with large-scale monster action, offering a fresh take on a well-worn genre.

Released in 2025, Troll 2 unfortunately didn’t fix the problems with the first film and continued a frustrating trend in monster movies. Though it has enough action to be fun, it lacks the substance needed to be a really compelling movie.

The Human Storyline Is The Worst Part Of The Troll Movies

Like most giant monster movies, the human story in the Troll films is the weakest link. While the two movies are certainly more creative than similar films, the characters don’t develop much, and this becomes increasingly noticeable as the series goes on.

While the 2022 film Troll managed to succeed despite its underdeveloped characters and simple storyline, Troll 2 suffered because of them. The trolls themselves are fun to watch causing trouble, but the movie becomes repetitive without a stronger narrative. The connection between Nora and the trolls feels forced, and her character doesn’t experience any meaningful development in the sequel.

The Troll movies offer a welcome take on Scandinavian folklore, but unfortunately, they share some problems with classic monster movies like Godzilla. Just like in many older Godzilla films, the human characters aren’t very well developed – they mostly just exist to witness the monster’s destruction. While that approach worked in the past, today’s audiences expect more from a film’s characters.

The human story in the Troll films doesn’t have to be incredibly original, but it needs to move the plot forward. As the poor reviews for Troll 2 show, director Roar Uthaug can’t rely on the same formula repeatedly and expect success. Simply expanding on the troll lore isn’t enough to fix a weak storyline.

Troll 3 Should Take A Page From Godzilla Minus One

© Toho International / Courtesy Everett Collection

Some might say movies like Troll 2 are simply meant to be fun and don’t require much substance. While that’s a valid opinion, the recent film Godzilla Minus One challenges that idea. The 2023 hit successfully returned Godzilla to its origins and explored the deeper meaning behind the character.

The movie wasn’t just about the monster attacks; the characters were equally interesting, making each action sequence feel more important. The story cleverly linked the characters to the monster itself, and the plot unfolded naturally, building tension with each scene. This is something the movie Troll 2 missed, but could serve as a good model for a potential Troll 3.

Look, the Troll movies are rooted in Norwegian folklore, and I’m really excited that the third film finally seems to be giving us a human story that matters. The first two often felt like plot devices just existed to get us back to the trolls, but this one feels different. Troll 2 is already a crowd-pleaser, and the way it wraps up definitely leaves the door open for more. I’m hoping this franchise can do something different with the monster movie formula and give us a truly satisfying film – something beyond just giant creatures causing mayhem.

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2025-12-07 17:08