- Title: Elves (Danish: Nisser, UK: Elfen)
- Director: Roni Ezra
- Writer: Stefan Jaworski
- Cast: Vivelill Søgaard Holm, Ann Eleonora Jørgensen, Sonja Steen
- Release: November 28, 2021 (Netflix)
- Production: Miso Film
- Runtime: 6 episodes, 132 minutes total
- Reviewed by: Mother of Movies / Updated 2/12/2025
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What is the Elves TV series about?
Perfectly timed with the pending Christmas holiday season, Elves follows a family who takes a trip to Armand Island. On the way there they take the scenic route and after a bump in the road, pull over to see if they hit an animal. A local stops beside them. Despite wanting to figure out if the black goo they find on their car belongs to something injured, the big burly man pretty much warns the family to stay on the main roads… and always stay in their car.
What Makes This Christmas Fairy Take Horror Series Different?
If you haven’t caught the Netflix horror series Elves yet, you’re missing out. The TV show is in a similar vein to other Netflix series like Sweet Tooth, featuring fantasy creatures. “Elfen” also ponders some questions about mythical beings, this time, Elves. A lot darker than the Sweet Tooth TV show, this horror series wants you to think about a world where Elves are not only real but a bit feisty, creepy, and will eat you. Most who watch this excellent Danish language TV show are left wondering: will there be a season 2 of Elves? There is no news yet, but Mother of Movies will check regularly as soon as there is any news.
The creatures in this universe are not like the elves from The Hobbit. These start pretty cute, but over the years, they turn into a being that nightmares are made of. They can camouflage their tree-like bodies on the forest floor and rise out of the ground. Their snarling teeth are not unlike that typical image of a zombie as they reach out of the ground, ready to chew whatever has invaded their territory.
Creature Design and Visual Appeal
Daughter Josefine is adamant that there is something hurt and in need of help, and before long, she defies her parents to investigate. Visual effects and special effects for the creatures throughout reminded me a little of the E.T. movie or, more recently, the “Sweet Tooth” series. Josephine finds the mysterious woodland animal and absconds with it back to the family’s holiday home.
Performance and Series Reception
There are a lot of opinions on the Elfen series so far; however, the majority seem to think the show is fun, a little silly at times, but worthy of a one-time watch. Compared with other series, performances were solid enough. The character dynamic was frustrating at times, given Josephine’s fixation on ignoring anyone else’s opinion but her own. But given her age, the realism was there, and there’s no denying these creatures are darn cute when young.
While the Elves series isn’t hard-hitting or mature viewing, season one is super short. In total, the six episodes only total 132 minutes. The series is an easy watch and won’t make you feel like you’ve wasted your time, even if you hate it.
Folklore for the Elves
Folklore of the woodland elves and their history is touched on enough to be interesting. While many viewers found the children annoying, I was not bothered by their propensity toward making bad decisions. The family has some obvious structural issues, so their behavior isn’t all that out of the ordinary. The island’s elders also had some moralistic problems with how they treated these animals over time. I liked the chant they sang, though.
- Cast for the Elves series includes Vivelill Søgaard Holm, Ann Eleonora Jørgensen, and Sonja Steen.
- The horror series was directed by Roni Ezra who is known for the TV Show Gidseltagningen.
- Written by Stefan Jaworski who is known for The Devil Below and Those Who Kill.
Elves Season 2 Synopsis – Mother of Movies Prediction
Given that the end of the series has the Svade family jumping on a ferry while Kee-Ko clings to the underside of the family car, we can only assume a few scenarios. There will be a few pivotal casts from season 1 of Elves missing. I quite liked that Liv joined the family to be with Kasper. The fact that Kee-Ko seems to be aware of and have the ability to adapt could suggest adult elves might grow into a different kind of beast. Will there be a mirror-opposite version of these bloodthirsty and vengeful monsters?
I think Elves Season 2 will get the go-ahead. Given the short production time for the first season, hopefully, Netflix will deliver it as a Christmas miracle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elves (2021) – Spoilers
Is there going to be an Elves Season 2?
As of now, (Dec 2025) Netflix has not officially announced a second season of Elves. The series ended on a cliffhanger with Kee-Ko clinging to the underside of the family car as they leave the island, which strongly suggests the creators intended to continue the story. Given the short production timeline of the first season and the show’s solid reception, a second season remains possible, though no concrete release date has been confirmed.
Is Elves appropriate for children to watch?
While the elf creatures start out looking cute and the series has a family-centric storyline, Elves is best suited for teens and adults. The show contains horror elements, including violence, creature attacks, and some disturbing imagery. The Danish rating and Netflix’s guidelines suggest parental guidance for younger viewers. It’s comparable to other creature-feature horror series in tone and intensity.
Do I need to understand Danish to watch Elves?
No, Elves is available on Netflix with English subtitles and dubbed audio options in multiple languages. Many viewers actually prefer watching with the original Danish audio and English subtitles to experience the authentic performances, but the dubbed version is perfectly serviceable for those who prefer it.
- Cast for the Elves series includes Vivelill Søgaard Holm, Ann Eleonora Jørgensen, and Sonja Steen.
- The horror series was directed by Roni Ezra who is known for the TV Show Gidseltagningen.
- Written by Stefan Jaworski who is known for The Devil Below and Those Who Kill.
