Imagine a colossal sequel to a monster movie that's supposed to thrill with Norse legends and giant creatures, only to face a tidal wave of mixed reactions that leave fans scratching their heads. That's the reality for Troll 2, the latest giant-sized adventure hitting Netflix, and it's sparking debates hotter than a troll's breath. But here's where it gets controversial: is this sequel a worthy heir to its predecessor, or just another underwhelming echo in the kaiju genre?
Netflix unleashed Troll 2 on December 1, 2025, after building up excitement among viewers eager for more mythical mayhem. The film stars Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, and Mads Sjøgård Pettersen, and it's helmed by director Roar Uthaug, who picks up the tale of Norway's legendary giants. This continuation weaves together elements of Norse folklore—think ancient myths about powerful beings from Scandinavian lore—with high-stakes action sequences and the grand spectacle of a classic monster movie, where enormous creatures clash in epic, larger-than-life battles that could inspire awe or, in some cases, a yawn.
Critics' reactions to Troll 2 are far from unanimous, revealing a deep divide that might surprise even seasoned movie buffs. And this is the part most people miss: the film's ambiguity about who or what to cheer for, which adds a layer of mystery but also confuses viewers expecting clear heroes and villains.
Not all feedback has been glowing, with several reviewers delivering sharp critiques. For instance, John Serba from Decider labeled it 'Rotten,' describing Troll 2 as 'even more tedious and underwhelming than its mediocre predecessor,' suggesting it fails to build on the original's strengths and instead drags on without much payoff. Phil Hoad of The Guardian echoed this sentiment, pointing out 'token characterization'—meaning the characters feel underdeveloped and one-dimensional—and 'weak quip embellishment,' where the humor lands flat and doesn't add much zest to the story. Jonathon Wilson from Ready Steady Cut went a step further, expressing bewilderment after watching two films in the series: 'I’ve now seen two of these movies, and I still have no idea whether we’re supposed to be rooting for the trolls or not.' This confusion could stem from the film's exploration of mythical creatures that aren't straightforwardly evil, blurring the lines in a way that challenges traditional monster movie tropes—think of it like a Godzilla film where you start rooting for the giant lizard instead of the humans.
Yet, not everyone is ready to write off Troll 2 as a flop. Some critics offered more generous praise, highlighting its ambitious scope. Rachael Harper of SciFiNow awarded it a 'Fresh' rating, calling the movie 'ambitious, playful, and unapologetically giant-sized,' appreciating how it embraces its over-the-top scale without apology, much like how Pacific Rim celebrates mech-vs-kaiju showdowns with unbridled enthusiasm. Simon Abrams of RogerEbert.com gave it 2 out of 4 stars, noting that '[The movie] doesn’t have nearly enough action, monster-related or otherwise, to justify its existence,' but this critique still landed it in the 'Fresh' category, perhaps because the film's imaginative blend of folklore and spectacle offers enough novelty to outweigh its flaws. Pramit Chatterjee of Digital Mafia Talkies acknowledged 'sequelitis'—a common ailment in follow-ups where the story feels repetitive and less innovative compared to the first installment—but praised it for injecting 'some much-needed variety to this subgenre,' suggesting Troll 2 diversifies the monster genre by drawing on unique Norwegian myths rather than recycling generic zombie or alien invasions.
The controversy deepens when we look at the numbers: Troll 2's Rotten Tomatoes score is significantly lower than its predecessor's, raising questions about whether sequels can truly capture the magic of the original. Is this a case of diminishing returns in the kaiju realm, or does it signal a bold new direction?
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Troll 2 currently holds a 58% Tomatometer score based on 12 critic reviews, alongside a 39% audience score from over 50 ratings. In stark contrast, the original Troll boasts a robust 90% Tomatometer from 29 reviews and a 50% audience score from more than 1,000 ratings. This disparity might reflect how the first film struck a better balance between folklore, character development, and monster action, leaving room for Troll 2 to feel like a step backward for some.
Audience opinions mirror the critics' split, with responses ranging from disappointment to delight. One viewer lamented, 'It felt too similar to the original and just slightly worse in every aspect,' capturing a sense of redundancy that plagues many sequels—like how some superhero movies recycle plots without fresh twists. Another bluntly called it 'a huge letdown and sorry disappointment this flop is… I’m sure there are trolls eventually but this is just way too much bullsh*t to wade through to get to them,' highlighting frustration with pacing or setup that delays the promised giant confrontations, much like waiting forever for the big reveal in a horror film.
On the flip side, positive voices championed the sequel, describing it as 'Really great sequel' and 'Well worth a watch,' suggesting that for those who enjoy the blend of myth and mayhem, Troll 2 delivers enough spectacle and playfulness to justify the time investment—perhaps akin to discovering a hidden gem in the crowded world of streaming monster flicks.
So, what do you think? Is Troll 2 a misguided misstep in the giant genre, or does its controversial mix of folklore and action deserve a second chance? Do the low scores mark a failure to live up to expectations, or could this ambiguity about rooting for the trolls be a brilliant twist on monster movies? Share your thoughts in the comments below—do you agree with the critics, or disagree? Let's discuss!
