Between dreams and trolls: Norwegian cinema after 2000

Norwegian cinema reached an unprecedented peak in 2025, combining artistic quality, international acclaim and commercial success. While earlier periods also have been labelled ‘golden ages’, the continuous growth over the last two decades is remarkable for its duration and the volume of high-quality productions. Milestones in 2025 include Dag Johan Haugerud’s Dreams (Sex, Love) winning the Golden Bear at Berlin and Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value receiving the Grand Prix at Cannes, both historic firsts for Norwegian film. However, this narrative of triumph contrasts sharply with reports of industry crisis, declining production and calls for policy reform. This article examines these conflicting perspectives through an analysis of key developments in Norwegian cinema since 2000 and two case studies, Haugerud’s arthouse success and Roar Uthaug’s Netflix blockbuster Troll , to illuminate the dynamics shaping Norway’s film landscape today.