The interesting thing about Kraken is that the trailer had no dialogue. This was either a very good or very bad sign. So, it immediately moved up my “must watch list”.  Kraken is a Norwegian horror movie about a sea monster in a fjord. From the beginning, the themes are clear. This is a movie about nature and the effects of tampering with the natural environment, although a much better word would be “consequences”.

• Directed by: Pål Øie
• Written by: Vilde Eide. Kjersti Helen Rasmussen. Natasha Arthur
• Starring: Sara Khorami. Mikkel Bratt Silset Ingvild Holthe Bygdnes

The Plot

Kraken brings several groups into direct conflict with each other: A salmon farm using sonic waves to de-louse their fish, a marine researcher, and young, would-be environmentalists.  There are complex relationships that intersect between these groups that enhance the conflict.

The researcher and the head technician at the salmon farm have a fractured romantic past. One of the young environmentalists is the daughter of the owner of the salmon farm. There is something cold and contained about the environment and cinematography. These relationships and the ties that bind the groups together make everything feel confined.

Also hemming in the look and feel of the movie is the fjord itself.  It’s a confined environment and every scene is filmed to reflect that.

The Relationships

There are some interesting narrative choices made here, as the movie opts not to go for easy answers. This is not simply a question of destroying the creature and moving on. Kraken wants to ask questions about humanity’s right to survival at the cost of other species, while highlighting our brutal treatment of nature in the name of efficiency or tradition.

The Themes

It’s no accident that the main investors for the sonic lice program are the Japanese. The Taiji dolphin hunt is an annual tradition in Japan, where fishermen use sound in water to drive dolphins to areas where they can be hunted more easily.  This was the source of a documentary, The Cove, which brought worldwide attention to the practice.  It’s an example of how tradition and progress intersect violently.  

The same principles apply to the fishing industry. What was acceptable with a rod and a reel has become untenable with the mass production we now demand as a society. Not for our base needs, but to fuel a need for endless options and variety.  We produce way more than we can consume. This isn’t need, it’s greed.

It’s one of the elements I appreciated about Kraken.  Everyone here started with good intentions. Even the owner of the fish farm thought he was doing something to help people. He just failed to account for the consequences of his actions. He’s only bad because he doesn’t understand his place in the world, which to be honest, is a major statement.

The Kraken

Kraken is an interesting movie because ultimately the kraken was kind of minding its own business until it got disturbed. The main character isn’t an action hero; her main skill set is listening and understanding the environment. It’s passive and empathetic. Johanne picks up an axe but uses it to destroy equipment more than anything else. Others destroy and attack. She rescues.

What right do we have to the resources we freely use? We assume that technological advantages give us control. In reality, all it takes is a natural disaster like a hurricane, forest fire, flood, or kraken to remind us how little control we have over elements far older than we are.

Despite a downbeat ending that I totally enjoyed, there is a moment of hope and a nod to the cycle of destruction that the next generation has the opportunity to break. 

Final Thoughts

Kraken may not be for everyone. It focuses a lot on the investigation aspect and takes a while to get ramped up. It does look great, and the kraken is amazing once it shows up. There are enough science elements to make it feel plausible and grounded, which helps when the giant kraken shows up to completely ruin everything.  It’s a great movie for a hot summer day, it feels cold and refreshing to watch. Also, I think it put H³ off kayaking forever, so that’s a plus.