Trollhunter (2010)

August 12, 2022 12:09 PM

A group of students investigates a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious hunter, learning that he is actually a troll hunter. A Norwegian mockumentary with an appropriate level of creeping dread, but one that also benefits from generous helpings of dry wit.

Written and directed by André Øvredal (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark).

82% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Øvredal's movie has wittier ideas up its sleeve than the average "mock-doc" shocker, a genre it transcends through sheer originality. - Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph (UK)

The film is shot with handheld cameras in the standard mockumentary style, but the content is often hilarious, especially when the trolls show up. - Michael Wilmington, Chicago Reader

Currently streaming in the US on Hoopla, Kanopy, and Plex. Streaming free with ads on Tubi, Pluto TV, Vudu, and YouTube. Available for digital rental on multiple outlets. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (10 comments total)

The way you can tell André Øvredal is very talented is that this film is: a) found footage, but doesn't feel found footage, particularly in the marvelous and impressive troll scenes; Norwegian, specifically so, and proud of it, but universal all the same; improvised, but with a consistent quality of dialogue and sense of humor.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:13 PM on August 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Very enjoyable film. I recommend it.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 12:20 PM on August 12, 2022

This movie is so much better than I thought it would be. Excited to see it's on Hoopla; I should watch it again and come back with actual thoughts.
posted by the primroses were over at 3:53 PM on August 12, 2022

Really loved this. Leans much more into fantasy mockumentary than the found-footage horror you might expect from the description. And the dry wit is very good.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:57 PM on August 12, 2022

I watched this on a whim when it first showed up on streaming and really enjoyed it. It was far, far better than I expected. The Norwegian background really set it apart from usual fare. I also really enjoyed his "The Autopsy of Jane Doe".

"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" was ok, not quite as good as I had hoped.
posted by beowulf573 at 6:03 PM on August 12, 2022

An all-time favorite! It so effortlessly integrates the secret existence of trolls into the real world (that real slip of the tongue used at the end doesn't hurt) and makes us believe in it.
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:05 PM on August 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

TROLLLLLLLL!!!
posted by abraxasaxarba at 1:02 AM on August 13, 2022 [2 favorites]

I went in with moderately low expectations and found myself surprised and delighted by this. Very fun.
posted by rmd1023 at 6:07 AM on August 13, 2022 [1 favorite]

this is a really fantastic little horror movie, but it is also beautifully filmed. very very enjoyable.
posted by supermedusa at 3:22 PM on August 13, 2022 [1 favorite]

One of my favorite parts was the utter banality of the trollhunter's office admin - really leans into the Norwegian ultra-deadpan sense of humor.
posted by FatherDagon at 11:29 AM on August 15, 2022 [1 favorite]