Since the early 2000s, Norway has produced a regular stream of horror cinema including
Cold Prey
,
Troll Hunter
Thelma
and
The Innocents
.
Norwegian Nightmares
investigates the origins of this horror wave and charts its unique characteristics in relation to the chiefly American influences that inspired it. Norwegian nature and wilderness, in particular an obsession with dark and deadly water, give shape and national identity to Norway’s tradition of horror cinema. Andresen studies the cinematic journey to the dark side of a wealthy, ostensibly peaceful and harmonious social democracy on the fringes of the Arctic.