“There’s Something In the Barn” (2023) is a Norwegian comedy horror film. The story follows an American family, consisting of Bill (Martin Starr) and Carol (Amrita Acharia) and their children Lucas (Townes Bunner) and Nora (Zoe Winther-Hansen), who realize their dream of returning home after inheriting a remote estate in the mountains of Norway. When they arrive in Norway, however, they discover that a grumpy elf lives in the barn of their new home. As the family tries to settle into their new Scandinavian life and cope with the challenges and cultural differences, misunderstandings and ignorance of the warnings of their son Lucas, who discovers that the elf needs to be appeased, lead to a bloody battle after a wild Christmas party in the barn incites the elf’s fury.
The film interweaves humorous and absurd elements with traditional horror aspects, particularly captivating in its depiction of the conflict between humans and mythological creatures. One of the most striking aspects of the film is the introduction of the murderous elves, who, similar to other Christmas horror films, turn the traditional image of Santa’s cute helpers on its head. The movie manages to combine dark and brutal scenes with slapstick comedy, using witty one-liners to make it a festive treat.
Despite its horror, the movie maintains a Christmassy atmosphere throughout, with an abundance of fairy lights, snowflakes and a soundtrack full of festive music. The movie is a mix of “Gremlins” and “Krampus”, combining dark and brutal scenes with slapstick comedy.
“There’s Something In the Barn” may not be enough to be at the top of the Christmas horror genre, but it offers an entertaining experience that adds a touch of absurdity and Norwegian folklore to the holiday spirit.
