Troll 2 is a 1990 low-budget horror-comedy directed by Claudio Fragasso, credited under the pseudonym Drake Floyd. Marketed in the United States as a sequel to the 1986 film Troll, it has no narrative or production connection to that earlier movie. The film is best known today for its widely criticized acting, awkward dialogue, and idiosyncratic production choices, which helped it develop a fervent cult following and frequent midnight screenings.
Background and production
Produced as an independent, largely Italian-financed project, the film was originally titled Goblins during production. Filmmakers changed the name for U.S. release to capitalize on the modest recognition of the unrelated Troll. The director and some cast members have described rushed schedules, language barriers on a multilingual set, and modest special effects budgets—factors frequently cited to explain the movie's unconventional tone and technical shortcomings.
Plot and characteristics
Despite the title, the creatures featured are not trolls in the traditional sense; the story centers on a rural town with supernatural inhabitants who manipulate and prey on outsiders. The screenplay and performances give the film an uneven tempo, odd lines of dialogue, and memorable non sequiturs that viewers often quote. The town name and some plot elements play with simple wordplay and folklore themes, which contributes to its unintended comic quality.
Reception and legacy
At release the film attracted negative reviews and limited theatrical exposure. Over time it acquired a reputation as one of the more notorious examples of so-called "so bad it's good" cinema. That reputation was amplified by a 2009 documentary about the movie's afterlife, which examined how cast members and audiences embraced its cult status. Today Troll 2 is frequently discussed in books, podcasts, and film festivals that celebrate eccentric or failed productions.
Notable facts and distinctions
- The working title Goblins appears on some foreign prints and early materials; the U.S. title change created an artificial link to the earlier Troll.
- No actual trolls appear in the film; the antagonists are better described as goblin-like creatures, which adds to the film's ironic name.
- The film inspired renewed interest in its cast and crew and contributed to the creation of a documentary exploring cult film fandom.
- Marketing and subsequent home-video releases helped build a word-of-mouth audience that now studies the film for its unusual production history.