Kraken

Marine biologist Johanne travels to the quiet fjord town of Vangsnes to study a troubled fish farm. Her routine observations collide with a string of eerie incidents and the brutal deaths of two local teenagers. As the community reels, evidence seems to point toward the murky depths below the water rather than any human culprit. Johanne teams up with Erik, a local guide who knows the tides and salinity of the inlet, and together they chase a thread that leads them toward the bottom of the deepest fjord. There, legends speak of a colossal creature with a multitude of arms that might be more hungry than anything on land. The tension tightens as they sense the fjord guarding secrets below.

Directed by Pål Øie, Kraken marks a Norwegian horror thriller released in 2026. It stems from an original screenplay crafted by Vilde Eide, Kjersti Helen Rasmussen and Natasha Arthur, who fuse science with local myth to fuel the tension throughout.

Kraken grossed about 14.329 million dollars worldwide against a modest 1 million budget, signaling a strong commercial performance for a Norwegian horror film. The result demonstrates solid audience appeal and efficient production values that punch above their weight globally today.

Critics note Kraken blends science driven investigation with folklore rooted fear, leaning into the isolation of a fjord town. The film treats the sea as both source of life and threat, exploring ethical lines in research, and the way a tight community responds to an unseen predator with lasting implications.

Kraken has sparked chatter among horror fans for its stark coastal backdrop and practical monster effects. The creature design draws on Nordic maritime lore, while the setting elevates the dread. Early online discussion highlights the film's atmosphere and the way it reframes coastal life as survival ground for future generations.