Netflix just dropped Troll 2, a sequel to their popular monster movie, and the initial reactions are...rough. Critics are sharply divided, and the Rotten Tomatoes score is painting a concerning picture. Is this a case of sequel fatigue, or does Troll 2 genuinely miss the mark? Let's dive into the early reviews and audience reactions to see what's going on.
The film, directed by Roar Uthaug and starring Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, and Mads Sjøgård Pettersen, premiered on Netflix on December 1, 2025. It promised to continue the saga of Norway's mythical giants, blending Norse folklore with the spectacle of a large-scale monster movie. So, what went wrong (or right, depending on who you ask)?
The Critical Consensus: A Mixed Bag of Monster Mayhem
The critical reception has been far from universally positive. Troll 2 currently holds a 58% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on a dozen critic reviews. This means a significant number of critics deemed it "Rotten." For example, John Serba of Decider bluntly stated, "Troll 2 is even more tedious and underwhelming than its mediocre predecessor." Ouch! Phil Hoad of The Guardian echoed this sentiment, criticizing the character development as "token" and the attempts at humor as "weak." And this is the part most people miss... Jonathon Wilson from Ready Steady Cut raised a fundamental question: "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." Is the film failing to clearly establish its heroes and villains?
But here's where it gets controversial... Not everyone is down on the giant-sized action. Rachael Harper of SciFiNow offered a contrasting view, awarding the film a "Fresh" score and praising its ambition, playfulness, and sheer scale. Simon Abrams of RogerEbert.com, while giving it a middling 2/4 rating, acknowledged that it lacked sufficient monster action but still contributed to a Fresh rating. Pramit Chatterjee of Digital Mafia Talkies, while acknowledging the dreaded “sequelitis,” conceded that it brought "some much-needed variety to this subgenre." Is it possible that Troll 2 is a film that demands a different set of expectations? Or is it simply trying to do too much at once?
The Numbers Don't Lie (Or Do They?)
To put the critical response in perspective, the original Troll boasts an impressive 90% Tomatometer score from 29 reviews. The sequel's significantly lower score raises concerns about its overall quality. And this is the part most people miss... While critical scores are important, audience feedback can sometimes tell a different story. Troll 2 currently has a 39% audience score based on over 50 ratings.
Fan Reactions: A Divided Kingdom
Audience feedback reflects the critical divide. One reviewer lamented that the sequel felt too similar to the original and was simply worse in every way. Another described it as a "huge letdown" and complained about having to wade through too much "bullsht" to get to the trolls. But here's where it gets controversial... On the other hand, some viewers were enthusiastic, calling it a "Really great sequel" and "Well worth a watch." Could it be that *Troll 2's flaws are being overblown, or are these positive reviews simply outliers?
Ultimately, Troll 2's reception appears to be a matter of perspective. Some viewers may appreciate its ambition and monster movie spectacle, while others may find it tedious and lacking in character development. But here's the real question: What do you think? Does a lower Rotten Tomatoes score automatically make a movie bad? Is it fair to compare it to the original Troll, or should it be judged on its own merits? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Are you Team Troll or Team...Not-So-Troll?
