🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Magnus Martens
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
- Release year: 2023
- Runtime (length): 1h 40min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (6.3K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
An American family moves to Norway, ignores local customs, and gets terrorized by an angry barn elf who hates loud noises, bright lights, and change; basically, it’s ‘Home Alone’ with garden gnomes on a murderous rampage.
🍿 There’s Something in the Barn: Detailed Plot Synopsis
An American Family’s Dream
Bill Nordheim, driven by a desire to reconnect with his Norwegian roots, moves his family from California to a remote cabin in Norway. He brings along his second wife, Carol, his teenage daughter, Nora, and his young son, Lucas, all with the hope of opening a bed and breakfast. However, their arrival stirs up more than just cultural differences.

Discovery in the Barn
Lucas quickly discovers that their new home comes with an unexpected inhabitant: a ‘nisse,’ or barn elf. He learns of the three rules to avoid angering it: no loud noises, no fluorescent lights, and no changes to the barn. Initially, Lucas tries to abide by these rules, but his family’s attempts to Americanize their new home leads to repeated violations.

Consequences of Ignorance
As the family ignores Lucas’s warnings and continues to break the rules, the nisse becomes increasingly agitated. Small acts of mischief escalate into violent outbursts, revealing the dark side of this mythical creature. Their American Christmas celebrations and loud parties further enrage the nisse, leading to chaotic and dangerous situations.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Bill Nordheim (Martin Starr): The American father who moves his family to Norway to start a bed-and-breakfast, oblivious to the dangers lurking in the barn.
- Carol Nordheim (Amrita Acharia): Bill’s wife and stepmother, a grief counselor trying to maintain family harmony amidst the chaos.
- Lucas Nordheim (Townes Bunner): The young son who discovers the barn elf and tries to warn his family about the rules.
- Nora Nordheim (Zoe Winther-Hansen): The teenage daughter, initially resistant to the move, who ultimately fights to protect her family.
- Main Elf (Kiran Shah): The ancient barn elf who enforces the rules of his territory with deadly consequences when they are broken.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Lucas: “There are three rules. No loud noises, no bright lights, and no changes to the barn!” – Lucas explains the rules to his family to avoid angering the barn elf.
- Tor Åge: “Logic denies it, but there’s something in the barn.” – Tor Åge tries to warn the family about the nisse’s existence and the potential danger.
- Bill: “People died, but we bonded.” – Bill tries to find a positive spin on the events of the movie, after all the chaos and deaths that occurred.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $1,295,652
💥 There’s Something in the Barn Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘There’s Something in the Barn’ is definitely a wild ride! I went in expecting a cheesy Christmas horror flick, but it was so much more. The blend of American culture clash with Norwegian folklore was hilarious, especially the dad’s clueless attempts to ‘Americanize’ everything. When the elves went full-on ‘Home Alone’ on the family, I was cracking up! It’s not high art, but it’s a blast if you’re looking for some festive, goofy fun.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of light-hearted horror comedies.”
- “Viewers interested in Norwegian folklore.”
- “Families looking for a slightly edgy Christmas movie.”
- “Those who enjoy movies like ‘Gremlins’ and ‘Rare Exports’.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence.”
- “Some gore.”
- “Thematic elements involving cultural insensitivity.”
- “Mild language.”
Professional Reviews
- Collider.com: “This Killer Comedy Delivers Christmas Cheer and Campy Horror in Equal Measure, making it a perfect pick for viewers seeking a fun, festive fright.
- IMDB User Review: “A highly enjoyable holiday-set genre effort. The main starting point here is the rather fun and light-hearted atmosphere that generates quite an enjoyable time.
- IMDB User Review: “Surprisingly sweet and funny film with a high drive. Extra points for the good idea where an American family inherits a house out in the Norwegian wilderness where the barn is ‘possessed’ by ‘nisser’ or elfs.
Audience Reactions
Viewers loved the over-the-top blend of Christmas cheer and gory horror, making it a standout holiday watch.: The film’s dark humor and creative kills resonated well with audiences seeking something different from traditional Christmas movies.
Many enjoyed the film’s unique take on Norwegian folklore, with the barn elf adding a fresh twist to the holiday horror genre.: The contrast between American and Norwegian culture was a big hit, providing plenty of comedic moments.
Overall Consensus: A divisive but entertaining holiday horror-comedy that blends Norwegian folklore with American culture clash, offering laughs and gore in equal measure.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The language spoken by the barn elves, Barnelfish, was created specifically for the movie and is entirely fictional.”
- “Filming took place on location in Tretten, Norway, to capture the authentic winter scenery.”
🖥️ How to Watch There’s Something in the Barn?
Currently, “There’s Something in the Barn” is available for streaming on Netflix. Check local listings for cable and streaming options. For those interested in owning a copy, digital purchase options may be available through platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video. Availability may vary by region, so it’s best to confirm options in your area.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed There’s Something in the Barn, you might like these similar films:
- Gremlins (1984): Shares the concept of seemingly cute creatures turning deadly when rules are broken.
- Krampus (2015): A Christmas horror film featuring a family dealing with a malevolent mythological creature.
- Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010): Finnish Christmas horror movie that presents a dark and original take on the Santa Claus mythos.
- Unwelcome (2022): A British movie about a family who moves to the countryside and has to deal with some sort of fish-out-of-the-water situation.
🛒 There’s Something in the Barn Related Products
- Gremlins: Stripe Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure: A classic horror-comedy icon, perfect for fans of the ‘don’t break the rules’ trope.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Krampus – Krampus: Based on the new major Christmas horror franchise, This stylized figure stands 3 3/4 inches tall, perfect for any holiday horror collection.
- There’s Something in the Barn – Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster.
- There’s Something in the Barn – Inspired Barn Elf Plushie: A cuddly but mischievous plushie inspired by the movie’s titular barn elf. Handmade quality.
🎧 Soundtrack
There’s Something in the Barn features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While categorized as a horror-comedy, ‘There’s Something in the Barn’ leans more towards comedic elements with horror aspects. Reviews suggest it’s not particularly scary, making it suitable for viewers who enjoy light-hearted horror.
The three rules to avoid angering the barn elf are: avoid loud noises, avoid fluorescent lights, and do not make any changes to the barn. Breaking these rules leads to increasingly dangerous consequences.
Yes, many reviews draw comparisons between ‘There’s Something in the Barn’ and ‘Gremlins’ due to the similar premise of a family encountering a creature with specific rules that, when broken, lead to chaos and mayhem.
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