The Netflix monster hit Troll 2 brings the action and the folklore to life across Norway’s most dramatic landscapes. Released on December 1, 2025, the sequel follows Nora and her team as they face a new, ancient threat. The film is not just a story about mythical creatures; it is a visual tour of Norway’s stunning natural and historical sites, chosen to root the fantasy deeply in real places.
This guide walks through the key Norwegian locations that provided the epic backdrop for the film’s clash between humans and giants.
Where the Film Was Shot: Norway’s Epic Backdrops
Director Roar Uthaug filmed Troll 2 across a range of Norwegian locations, from bustling cities to remote mountain ranges. The production returned to the dramatic scenery of Jotunheimen National Park, a filming site from the first movie, known as the “Home of the Giants” in Norse mythology. The sequel also expanded to new areas, including the historic city of Trondheim and the forested valley of Maridalen near Oslo.
Some scenes were also shot in Budapest, Hungary. Screenwriter Espen Aukan explained that the production needed to film in Budapest because of challenges in securing certain locations in Norway.
Trondheim and the Iconic Nidaros Cathedral
The historic city of Trondheim takes on a major role in Troll 2, with the climax of the film unfolding there. The city’s compact center and, most notably, the iconic Nidaros Cathedral are central to the story. The cathedral, a powerful stone building, adds a mythic and ancient atmosphere that fits perfectly with the film’s themes of history and legend.
In the movie, the characters discover that the troll’s destructive path is not random but is following the historic St. Olav Ways, an ancient pilgrim path that leads directly to Nidaros Cathedral. This connection between the troll’s journey and Norway’s deep history is a key plot point, blending the creature’s mission with the nation’s real cultural heritage.
Hemsedal: The High-Energy Opening Scene
Troll 2 opens with a dramatic and explosive attack sequence set in Hemsedal. Known as one of Norway’s top ski destinations, Hemsedal provided the perfect high-alpine setting for the scene. The filmmakers used a real after-ski venue, capturing the area’s lively party atmosphere before it is interrupted by chaos. This location immediately sets a tone of modern life colliding with ancient, destructive forces.
Maridalen: A Peaceful Valley Near Oslo
Just outside Norway’s capital, the forested valley of Maridalen serves as another key filming location. The valley features lakes and the preserved ruins of the medieval St. Margaret’s Church, offering a quiet, scenic landscape that contrasts with the urban settings. This area provided a backdrop for parts of the characters’ journey as they track the troll’s movement through the country.
Jotunheimen: The Legendary “Home of the Giants”
The production returned to the majestic Jotunheimen National Park, a location also used in the first Troll film. The name Jotunheimen translates to “Home of the Giants” from Norse mythology, making it the ideal, authentic setting for a troll story. The region is crowned by Galdhøpiggen, Norway’s highest peak, and its vast, dramatic valleys like Bøverdalen make it easy to imagine giants roaming the mountains. The Eastern Norway Film Commission expressed pride that the filmmakers returned to what they call “film-friendly Jotunheimen” for the sequel.
Rjukan and the Historic Vemork Power Plant
One of the sequel’s most striking locations is the town of Rjukan and the historic Vemork hydroelectric power plant. This plant is famous for the Allied heavy water sabotage operations during World War II. In Troll 2, this site of dramatic real-world history is repurposed, becoming a secret research facility where a hibernating troll is studied. The mix of industrial heritage, war history, and the steep mountain walls of the Telemark region created a powerful and unique cinematic backdrop.
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The Folklore and Art That Inspired the Movie
The film’s connection to Norway goes beyond locations. Director Roar Uthaug has explained that a key idea for the film series was inspired by real Norwegian art and folklore. He cited a drawing by 19th-century Norwegian artist Theodor Kittelsen called “The Troll on Karl Johan,” which shows a troll walking down Oslo’s main street in the early 1900s.
“I thought ‘What would happen if a troll walked down that street today? And how would the Government and the army and everybody react to that?’ So it’s really Kittelsen’s drawing that was the genesis of the idea,” Uthaug said.
Uthaug also emphasized the deep cultural roots of trolls in Norway, noting they appear in lullabies and fairy tales told to children, making them a natural part of the country’s storytelling tradition.
Visiting the Real-World Troll Landmarks
For those inspired to see these places, Norway offers many sites where the legend of trolls feels real. Beyond the filming locations, natural formations across the country bear troll names and fuel the imagination. These include Trolltunga (“The Troll’s Tongue”), a famous cliff rock, and Trollstigen (“The Troll’s Ladder”), a serpentine mountain road. The country’s official tourism website even created a guide to the filming locations from both Troll and Troll 2 for visitors.
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