KRAKEN

(director/writer: Pal Øie; screenwriters: Vilde Eide, Kjersti Helen Rasmussen, Natasha Arthur; cinematographer: Sjur Aarthun; editor: Sjur Aarthun; music: Roy Westad; cast: Jenny Eversen (Maria, jostein’s daughter), Ingvild Holthe Bygdnes Helene, Jostein’s wife), Sara Khorami (Johanne),
Mikkel Bratt Silset (Erik), Øyvind Brandtz
æg (Jostein); Runtime: 90; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Elnar Loftesnes, John Elnar Hagen, Vindhya Sagar; Nordisk/Sam Goldwyn Films; 2026-Norway-in Norwegian)

“Generates only a few thrills.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Norwegian filmmaker Pal Øie (“The Tunnel”/”Hidden”) directs this formulaic creature film he writes with Vilde Eide, Kjersti Helen Rasmussen, and Natasha Arthur.

The plot revolves around an incident at Norway’s scenic Sognefjord fjord, that houses the Western Salmon company, run by Jostein (Øyvind Brandtzæg). The place becomes in danger but remains open despite a giant monster called Kraken spotted there, as the company does not want to scare off the visiting Japanese investors. Johanne (Sara Khorami) of the Institute of Marine Research is sent to the town of Vangsnes on the Sognefjord to investigate after the incident is reported.

To get rid of the lice the Western Salmon company is using a “sonic transducer.” The treatment causes strange behavior.

Johanne previously worked with the transducer’s creator, Erik (Mikkel Bratt Silset).

Jostein’s wife Henriette (Ingvild Holthe Bygdnes) is the local police chief and his daughter Maria (Jenny Evensen) is involved with a couple of environmentalists who want to shut Western Salmon down.

The predictable film generates only a few thrills. The technology works better than the familiar story.

REVIEWED ON 6/15/2026  GRADE:B-
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