The Draugr (2022) – Death Is Only the Beginning

When the dead rise, it’s not revenge they seek—it’s memory

The Draugr (2022) is a haunting and atmospheric horror film that blends Norse mythology with modern psychological terror, delivering a slow-burn descent into madness, guilt, and ancient vengeance. Set against the bleak, snow-covered landscapes of rural Scandinavia, this indie gem creeps under your skin with dread—not through jump scares, but through a chilling sense of inevitability. Once the draugr wakes, there’s no hiding.

The story follows Erik (Claes Bang), a grieving archaeologist who returns to his remote ancestral village after the death of his estranged father. Tasked with settling affairs, Erik uncovers his father's obsession with an unearthed burial mound believed to be cursed. Despite warnings from the villagers, he begins excavating the site—disturbing something far older and darker than folklore ever warned.

That something is the draugr—a restless undead figure from Norse legend, said to guard its grave with unrelenting fury. But The Draugr is more than a creature feature. As Erik’s sanity unravels, it becomes unclear whether the monster is real… or simply a manifestation of his own repressed guilt, grief, and unresolved trauma. The film walks a fine line between supernatural horror and psychological collapse.

Directed with icy precision by Amanda Adolfsson, the film's visuals are stark and oppressive. The howling wind, creaking wood, and heavy silence build an immersive soundscape that keeps viewers uneasy even in stillness. The draugr itself—seen only in brief, terrifying glimpses—is a masterclass in restraint: gnarled flesh, hollow eyes, and a presence that feels mythic yet horrifyingly human.

As the village begins to fall apart around him, Erik must confront not only the monster he’s awakened, but the darker truth he’s tried to bury within himself. In the end, The Draugr is not about escape—it’s about reckoning. And some reckonings come clawing from the grave.