‘Kraken’ Brings Deep Sea Terror To Screens This June

Signature Entertainment has set a 1 June Digital HD release for Kraken, a Norwegian creature feature that brings myth and marine science into collision beneath one of the country’s most imposing natural landscapes.

Directed by Pål Øie, whose previous credits include The Tunnel and Dark Woods II, the film centres on a remote coastal community unsettled by a series of unexplained incidents. When reports of strange underwater disturbances begin to mount, marine biologist Johanne Berge is dispatched to assess the situation, only to uncover evidence pointing towards something far older and more dangerous lurking in the depths.

Sara Khorami leads the cast as Johanne, joined by Mikkel Bratt Silset, Ingvild Holthe Bygdnes, Jenny Evensen and Steinar Klouman Hallert. The screenplay, written by Vilde Eide, Kjersti Helen Rasmussen and Natasha Arthur, builds on a story by Øie and Sjur Aarthun, drawing from long-standing Scandinavian folklore surrounding the legendary sea creature.

Set within Norway’s deepest fjord, the film begins with a jet ski accident involving two teenagers, an incident that initially appears isolated but soon becomes part of a broader pattern. Concurrently, a nearby fish farming operation introduces new technology designed to combat parasites, a development that appears to have unintended environmental consequences. As Johanne’s investigation continues, natural explanations begin to give way to something more difficult to categorise.

The production combines practical effects with digital work to realise the titular creature, described as a multi-limbed entity capable of devastating anything within its reach. Cinematographer Sjur Aarthun captures the stark contrasts between the open water and enclosed industrial spaces, reinforcing the film’s focus on both natural and man-made environments.

Early festival responses have been positive, highlighting the film’s technical execution, with particular attention paid to its sound design and large-scale sequences. Øie’s background in Norwegian genre filmmaking is evident in the approach, which situates the story within familiar regional settings while drawing on broader creature feature traditions.

The release of Kraken adds to a recent run of ocean-based horror titles that have explored isolation and environmental threat, including Underwater, The Meg and the long-standing influence of Jaws.

Kraken will be available across digital platforms in the UK from 1 June.

Kraken trailer