In this section of the Colossus Movie Guide for Troll, we will explain the film’s ending.

Cast

• Nora Tidermann – Ine Marie Wilmann
• Andreas Isaksen – Kim Falck
• Tobias Tidemann – Gard B. Eidsvold
• Captain Kristoffer Holm – Mads Sjøgård Pettersen
• Sigrid Hodne – Karoline Viktoria Sletteng Garvang
• Prime Minister Berit Moberg – Anneke von der Lippe
• Minister of Defence Frederick Markussen – Fridtjov Såheim
• Written by – Espen Aukan, Roar Uthaug
• Directed by – Roar Uthaug

The end of explained

Recap

The Troll King has made his way to Oslo. It’s revealed that the trolls originally lived and were all over Norway. After Christians arrived in the country and became a dominant force, they eventually exterminated the trolls and sealed the King in a cave away from the city. While in Oslo, the Troll King doesn’t actively damage anything. He’s just there to see if he can find any of his tribe. 

After a chase that involves the skull of a baby troll, Nora brings the Troll King to a hill where the military shines intense UV light on him. Since light can destroy trolls, this begins to burn the king. Sigrid manages to intervene and stop the Minister of Defence from blowing the Troll King up with a missile from a fighter jet. 

Then Nora turns off the lights and begs the lonely creature to retreat to the mountains. To save himself while he can. Before he really has time to decide, the sun comes up. The full blast of the sun reduces the Troll King to rubble. People are sad but also celebrate. And Nora and Andrea discuss the possibility of more trolls. We then cut to the mountain the Troll King emerged from and it turns out there’s another troll there. And it’s upset. 

Meaning

Troll is a commentary on the destruction of Norse traditions by the arrival and dominance of Christian culture. The Troll King is the embodiment of that legacy. The fairytales, the myths, the legends. All of it. We’re even told that the Troll King’s home was in the exact spot the current Royal Palace is in Oslo. To most viewers, this probably doesn’t mean much. But the Palace has close ties to the Church of Norway, the country’s main religious body. There’s a chapel in the palace. I imagine to anyone familiar with Norway, they recognize this for what it is: a criticism. 

This probably extends into the strife within the government. Throughout Troll, there are those who side with Nora and have empathy for the Troll King. Then there are those who only seek the monster’s destruction. The latter are emblematic of people in power who don’t care about Norway’s ancient history and culture. And its those people who want to blow up the Troll King. Something the good guys prevent from happening. In a lot of movies, this would be one-dimensional and superficial. Of course the good people save the creature from the bad people. But because Troll has this added layer of symbolism, you can read Sigrid’s actions as metaphoric for the prevention of the destruction of Nordic heritage. 

The overall picture then is that the old ways of the Norse don’t really fit in with modern Oslo. You can’t necessarily go back to Viking culture. Or pre-viking tribal culture. That time has passed. Which is probably why the Troll King still ends up caught in the sun. It’s not really suited for the 21st century. But that doesn’t mean the culture is gone completely. In that way, Troll’s kind of a reminder to the people of Norway to remember more of their roots. To acknowledge their history. It’s not always pretty (just watch The Northman and you’ll see what I mean). But there’s nobility and power and beauty. And that shouldn’t be forgotten. 

What are your thoughts?

Is there more to the ending that you think should be part of the Colossus Movie Guide for Troll? Leave your thoughts below and we’ll consider adding them.