The Endearingly Terrible Legacy of Troll 2

There are bad movies, there are so-bad-they’re-good movies, and then there is Troll 2—a film so bizarre, so baffling, and so unapologetically inept that it has transcended its own reputation. What began as a low-budget horror film with no trolls, no connection to the first Troll movie, and a cast of non-actors has evolved into one of the most celebrated cult classics of all time. Few films have failed with such spectacular magnificence, and fewer still have been embraced so lovingly in their failure.

Released in 1990 and directed by Italian filmmaker Claudio Fragasso, Troll 2 is often referred to as the “worst movie ever made.” But those who have fallen under its peculiar spell know it offers something strangely special—something more than its wooden acting, nonsensical plot, and infamous dialogue. It’s a movie that exudes sincerity and ambition, even when everything on screen suggests it shouldn’t work at all. Troll 2 is cinematic chaos, yes, but it’s also cinematic magic.

A Movie Without Trolls

Perhaps nothing illustrates the identity crisis of Troll 2 better than the fact that the film contains zero trolls. The antagonists are goblins—vegetarian creatures who transform humans into plant matter before eating them. Why was it titled Troll 2? Because the American distributor thought the film would sell better if audiences believed it was a sequel to the 1986 movie Troll. Fragasso’s film originally bore the title Goblin, which—while literal—did at least reflect the movie’s main plot. But in the world of B-movies, marketing trumps continuity, and thus one of the greatest misnomers in film history was born.

What unfolds from that decision is a movie already set up for confusion. Viewers expecting a fantasy creature feature are instead greeted with a story about family vacationing in the town of Nilbog (“It’s goblin spelled backward!”), where residents behave with uncanny politeness and offer suspiciously green food. The plot is simple on paper but executed with such surreal energy that it becomes something entirely its own.

The Plot: Equal Parts Horror and Hallucination

At the center of the story is Joshua Waits, a young boy who communicates with the ghost of his deceased grandfather, Seth. Grandpa Seth warns Joshua that Nilbog is the home of goblins who turn humans into edible plant goo. Joshua’s family—clueless and earnest—presses on with their rural vacation, only to encounter townspeople who behave like Stepford vegetarians with secrets as green as their food dye.

The movie’s most famous moment arrives early on, when Joshua stops his family from eating enchanted goblin food by… standing on the dinner table and urinating on it. His punishment? Delivered by his father in the now-legendary line:

“You can’t piss on hospitality! I won’t allow it!”

This single scene encapsulates what makes Troll 2 unforgettable. It’s not played for comedy. It’s not self-aware. It is delivered with the absolute conviction of a Shakespearean tragedy, which somehow makes it even funnier.

The rest of the movie unfolds with that same earnest absurdity. Goblins disguise themselves as humans, a witch named Creedence Leonore Gielgud seduces a teenager using corn-on-the-cob, and the film builds to a climax involving a bologna sandwich as a weapon of good over evil.

You simply can’t make this up—except that somebody did.

The Acting: Non-Actors, All Heart

A key element of Troll 2’s charm is its cast. Most were not trained actors; many were locals cast during production in Utah. The lead role of Joshua is played by Michael Stephenson, whose later documentary Best Worst Movie (2009) explored the massive cult following that emerged in the decades after the film’s release.

Then there’s George Hardy, the dentist-turned-actor who plays Joshua’s father. Hardy’s enthusiastic line delivery became iconic: earnest, forceful, and wonderfully off-kilter. His charm—both in the film and in the documentary—has become a central part of Troll 2’s legacy.

Even the film’s awkward performances feel strangely fitting. There is a sincerity to these moments, as if every actor believes wholeheartedly in the story they’re telling. That sincerity is one of the reasons fans cherish the film so deeply.

A Passion Project Lost in Translation

The chaotic brilliance of Troll 2 can’t be discussed without acknowledging its creators. Fragasso and writer Rossella Drudi approached the film with genuine passion. Drudi has said the movie was inspired by her frustration with friends who embraced vegetarianism, which explains the goblins’ leafy dietary choices.

The Italian crew spoke limited English, while the American cast understood little of the creative direction given to them. Scripts were rigidly enforced even when lines made no sense in English, resulting in dialogue that feels like it was translated by a malfunctioning robot.

This cross-cultural disconnect created scenes that feel almost dreamlike, where characters speak in phrases that approximate meaning rather than convey it. And yet, the film’s enthusiasm is never in doubt. There’s an odd beauty in watching a production so committed to its own bizarre vision.

From Failure to Beloved Cult Phenomenon

Upon release, Troll 2 went straight to video. Critics panned it. Most audiences ignored it. But years later, the movie found new life through college screenings, midnight showings, and early internet buzz. Fans began celebrating its unintentional humor and distinctive weirdness. Quotes from the film became memes long before memes were mainstream.

By the mid-2000s, Troll 2 had become a worldwide phenomenon among lovers of “bad cinema.” Screenings would sell out, with audiences chanting lines, cheering for characters, and reveling in the movie’s strange accomplishments. What was once a failure became a triumph of communal appreciation.

Stephenson’s documentary Best Worst Movie further cemented Troll 2's legendary status, offering an unexpectedly heartfelt look at how a disastrous film transformed the lives of its cast and fans.

Why We Love Movies Like Troll 2

It’s tempting to laugh at Troll 2, but the truth is more complicated. This isn’t simply a movie enjoyed ironically. It’s appreciated because it captures something cinema often struggles to achieve: unfiltered authenticity. The film never winks at the audience. It never tries to be campy. It is bad, yes, but earnestly bad—creative, bizarre, and memorable in ways polished blockbusters rarely achieve.

Cinematic imperfections, when paired with ambition, can be unforgettable. And Troll 2 is filled to the brim with ambition.

A Legacy Cemented in Green Goo

More than thirty years later, Troll 2 remains a beloved artifact of outsider cinema. It’s a testament to the idea that passion matters more than polish, that sincerity can shine even through the cracks, and that sometimes the worst movies end up bringing the most joy.

It may forever be known as the “best worst movie,” but in the hearts of its fans, Troll 2 is something far more rewarding—a celebration of unintentional brilliance and the enduring power of film to surprise us.