Magnus Martens probably knew what he was doing when he decided to mix Norwegian folklore with the classic "fish out of water" trope, but I’m not sure audiences were totally ready for the result. Most people see a poster with a cute little gnome and think it’s a Pixar knockoff. Big mistake. Huge. If you go into There’s Something in the Barn expecting a cozy family flick, you’re going to be staring at the screen while a tiny, bearded man in a red hat tries to disembowel a suburban dad with a power tool.
It’s a weird movie. Honestly, it’s basically what happens when Gremlins goes to Norway and drinks too much aquavit.
The plot follows the Nordheim family. They’re Americans who inherit a remote farm in Norway. Martin Starr plays the dad, Bill, and if you’ve seen him in Silicon Valley or Party Down, you know exactly the kind of awkward, well-meaning but ultimately clueless energy he brings. He wants to turn the barn into a bed and breakfast. The problem? There is already a tenant. It’s a fjøsnisse, or a barn elf. And according to local legend—and the very stressed-out neighbor played by Calle Hellevang-Larsen—there are rules.
The Rules of the Barn Elf (And Why They Matter)
You’ve gotta follow the rules. It sounds simple, right?
- No bright lights.
- No loud noises.
- No changes to the barn.
- And for the love of everything holy, give him his bowl of rice porridge with a big dollop of butter on Christmas Eve.
Naturally, the Americans break every single one of these within the first forty minutes. They bring in neon signs. They throw a loud, obnoxious party. They try to modernize the space. It’s a classic setup for a slasher, but the "slasher" is three feet tall and looks like a garden ornament.
The fjøsnisse isn't some generic monster. He’s rooted deep in Scandinavian culture. In Norway, these creatures aren't exactly "evil," but they are incredibly temperamental. They’re like that one uncle who gets really mad if you touch his thermostat. If you treat them well, they protect the livestock. If you annoy them? They kill your cow. Or, in the case of this movie, they go on a murderous rampage against your entire extended family.
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Why This Isn't Just Another Cheap Slasher
A lot of horror-comedies fail because they aren't funny enough to be a comedy and aren't scary enough to be a horror. There’s Something in the Barn walks a very thin line. It leans heavily into the absurdity. Watching a group of elves coordinate a tactical assault on a house using sleds and farm equipment is objectively hilarious.
But there’s a real mean streak here, too.
The gore is surprisingly practical and punchy. It’s got that 1980s Amblin-style vibe where things feel slightly magical right up until someone gets an axe to the chest. Martens uses the snowy landscape of Lillehammer to create this sense of isolation that feels both beautiful and claustrophobic. You really feel the cold. You feel how far away the police are—and the police in this movie, led by Henriette Steenstrup, are delightfully useless in that specific way small-town movie cops always are.
The American vs. Norwegian Cultural Clash
The movie works best when it's poking fun at the "toxic positivity" of the American dream. Bill is so desperate for his family to love their new life that he ignores every red flag. His wife, Carol (Amrita Acharia), is trying to be supportive but is clearly losing her mind. Then you have the kids—Nora and Lucas. Lucas is the only one who actually talks to the elf, and it creates this E.T.-gone-wrong dynamic that anchors the first half of the film.
Norwegians have a very specific sense of humor. It’s dry. It’s a bit dark. Contrasting that with the boisterous, "we can fix anything" American attitude is where the script really shines. It’s not just about monsters; it’s about the arrogance of moving to a new culture and assuming your rules apply there.
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Technical Craft and the "Nisse" Design
Let's talk about the elf itself. They didn't go full CGI, and thank god for that. The lead elf is played by Kiran Shah, a legendary creature actor who has been in everything from Star Wars to The Lord of the Rings. Because there’s a real person under the makeup, the elf has a physical presence that feels dangerous. He’s not a cartoon. He’s a grumpy, violent old man who happens to be very small.
The lighting in the barn scenes is fantastic. It uses deep shadows and warm ambers to make the space feel ancient. When the "war" breaks out in the third act, the contrast between the white snow and the red blood is visually striking. It’s a "pretty" movie to look at, which is a weird thing to say about a film where a man gets hit by a snowmobile.
Common Misconceptions About the Movie
People often lump this in with Krampus. I get the comparison—both are holiday horror—but they’re different beasts. Krampus is about a demonic entity punishing those who lose the Christmas spirit. There’s Something in the Barn is more about a property dispute with a supernatural squatter. It’s more grounded in folk tradition than religious morality.
Another thing: don't expect a fast-paced jump-scare fest. The first hour is a slow burn. It builds the dread through character interactions and small "pranks" the elf plays on the family. If you’re looking for a body count every five minutes, you might get impatient. But the payoff? The third act is absolute chaos. It’s worth the wait.
The Legacy of "Northern Chills"
Norway has been killing it lately with folk-horror and creature features. You’ve got Troll, The Wave, and Dead Snow. There’s Something in the Barn fits right into that "Norwegian Genre" niche where they take Hollywood tropes and infuse them with local mythology. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the endless cycle of American sequels and reboots.
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If you're a fan of Rare Exports (the Finnish Santa horror movie), this is the perfect double feature. They share a similar DNA—a respect for the old legends and a total lack of respect for human safety.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Movie Night
If you're planning on watching this, or if you're a filmmaker looking to understand why it works, keep these points in mind:
- Respect the Lore: The movie works because it treats the fjøsnisse rules as absolute. When the characters break them, the consequences feel earned.
- Balance Tone: If you're writing horror-comedy, you need a "straight man." Martin Starr’s character provides the grounded reality that makes the elf's antics feel even crazier.
- Practical Over Digital: Whenever possible, look at how the physical presence of Kiran Shah improves the tension. If the elf had been 100% digital, the threat would have evaporated.
- Watch the Subtitles: If you have the option, watch the original version with subtitles rather than a dubbed version. The linguistic gap between the Americans and the Norwegians adds a layer of comedy that dubbing often flattens.
To truly enjoy There’s Something in the Barn, you have to embrace the ridiculousness of its premise while respecting the craft behind it. It’s a cautionary tale about being a bad neighbor, a satire of American optimism, and a bloody good time all wrapped in a winter coat. Just remember to put the butter in the porridge. Seriously.
Don't skip the butter.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
Search for the short film The Barn, which served as a conceptual predecessor for this film. If you want to dive deeper into the actual folklore, look up the writings of Asbjørnsen and Moe—they are the Norwegian equivalent of the Brothers Grimm and recorded the original stories of the nisse that inspired the movie. Lastly, check out the behind-the-scenes footage of the prosthetic work done on the elves to see how they achieved the weathered, ancient look of the creatures without relying on heavy CGI.