-[waves whooshing] -[seagulls calling]
Thank you.
Ticket, please.
Mm-hm.
Mm-hmm. Thank you.
It's time to shove off.
Pull up the gangplank!
-[Anders] Wait! -Eh?
[grunts] Hold up!
[grunts]
Huh?
[grunting]
[panting]
One for Trolberg, please.
Oh no. Wait. Hold on. Here.
-Hm. -And…
[Anders] Here.
Yeah, that should do it.
Welcome aboard, then.
[ship horn]
[seagulls calling]
[breathes in and exhales deeply]
And what do you hope to find in the big city of Trolberg?
Fame? Fortune?
[chuckles]
[Anders] Her.
[uplifting opening theme music playing]
-Mum, these are great. -Ah, thanks, Hilda.
Me and Alfur are going food shopping. Anything special you'd like?
Last-minute requests shall be recorded in addendum to the original shopping list.
-[moans] -We need a new box of Poppy Pops for Twig.
Hm. Duly noted.
And you're out of marmalade.
Indeed.
[knocking]
Hilda, it's up to you to settle this.
Frida says we should go to the library and do our homework.
Not immediately.
I also said we should stop and eat lunch at the noodle place.
[sighs] Today is Saturday.
Weekend homework should be done as late as possible on a Sunday night,
in a state of desperation tinged with regret.
Or not at all.
That also works.
For what it's worth, I think Frida is onto something. Ready, Alfur?
Original shopping list, check. Updated addendum, check. Let's go.
Have fun. I'll see you kids later.
[gasps]
Anders!
Hello, Johanna.
[gasps] Dad?
-"Dad"? -"Dad"?
Dad!
-Hilda! -[Hilda laughs]
You've really grown.
Come inside.
Uh, excuse me. But who is this?
My dad. Dad, this is Tontu.
Is he going to live here now?
-No. -No.
Good.
No offense. I just feel like we're at capacity.
And this is Alfur.
Oh, okay. Is Alfred an imaginary friend?
Uh, it's Alfur, and I assure you my friendship is very real.
He's an elf. He's invisible unless you sign the paperwork.
I'd be happy to prepare it for you.
I'm not big on paperwork. Let's just seal the deal with a handshake.
-What do you say? -I'd never seal a deal with a handshake.
I don't even have hands.
And these are my friends, David and Frida.
-Hi. -Hi.
Whoa. You have normal human friends.
Heh. Of course she does.
Although "normal" is a bit of a stretch.
Oh, the last time I visited, it was just you and your mum in the wilderness.
And Twig. And that creepy stick guy.
The Wood Man. We keep in touch.
-So, Anders-- -[Anders] Did you do these?
You could sell them.
I didn't realize you were coming to visit.
Well, I thought it'd be fun to surprise you.
And I'm definitely surprised. How long are you staying in Trolberg?
I'm not sure. But today, I would like to take Hilda to lunch.
-[Hilda gasps] -Hm.
If that's okay with you.
She has plans with Frida and David.
Then I'll take all three of them.
-How does that sound? -Great.
-Fine. -Sure.
I'd like to have Hilda home in time for supper.
I'll have her back by five-ish.
"Five-ish"?
I'd better draw up a clearly defined impromptu visitation timetable
before this goes further.
-We're off. Back in a bit. -Bye, Mum.
I just need five minutes to make the timetable.
-[door shuts] -[sighs]
[sighs] It's all right, Alfur.
What about his reckless sense of time?
Trust me. All the paperwork in the world won't fix that.
[Anders] And the trolls just walked right into the middle of town?
That's right. Completely peacefully.
Though the city came this close to being completely destroyed.
Wow.
Ooh! Oh, and how's school?
School's okay. So, where are we going for lunch?
[eerie music plays]
The Salty Maiden?
It's the oldest tavern in town.
And the cheapest.
To be honest, I spent everything I had on my passes to Trolberg.
So, I'm short of money at the moment.
[folk music playing]
Ready to order?
I think so. How's the cod sandwich?
Memorable.
And the grilled cheese?
Sticky.
Yeah, that's it. Sticky.
And how's the surprise catch of the day?
Surprising.
-Vegetable soup, please. -Me too.
-Same for me. -Make that four.
Good choice.
You know, Hilda gets her adventurous streak from me.
I'm sure she's told you how I follow the call of adventure
wherever it takes me.
To be honest, I sorta figured you'd died when she was a baby.
[gasps] So did I. I assumed it was some kind of horrible illness.
I pictured a tragic accident.
Hm. Sorry. Your exact whereabouts never came up.
Hm. Fair enough.
Well, to clarify, I am alive, and I plan to stay awhile this time.
[gasps]
I just need to find myself a job.
[door slams open]
-Huh? -Huh?
Which one of you lucky saps wants to do a job for me today?
[man coughing]
He does.
You're hired.
I'm hired? Great. When do I start?
Now. And I need it wrapped up by sundown, at which time this is all yours.
What's your name?
Anders.
All right, Anders. Keep in mind that if this goes well,
I might call upon your services in the future.
You can count on me, Mr… Sorry, I didn't catch your name.
My business associates call me the Polecat.
That's your name?
It's a nickname that stuck. I've embraced it.
Does anybody have a problem with that?
-No. -Not at all.
-No problem. -Polecats are cool.
Do you have access to a reliable vehicle?
Um, no. Unless your mum has a car I could borrow.
Not anymore. A troll stepped on it.
[chuckles] Always get the troll damage insurance.
You think it won't happen to you, but next thing you know,
you're speeding down a road at midnight,
being chased by a crazed, rock-throwing troll!
I don't know. I digress. Lucky for you, I can spare my truck for the afternoon.
Right. You're heading to the castle ruins outside the wall.
Exit the city gates and go left until you get here, then take this road.
-Oh. That's the long way. -Excuse me?
I've been to the castle ruins before.
Take me with you. I'll show you a faster way.
Oh, I'm not paying extra for the kid.
We're a package deal. Two for the price of one. Right?
Right.
Fine. Just get there and back by sundown.
Come on. Time's a-wasting.
Just so you know, this door has a tendency to get jammed.
[grunts] Ha.
[sighs] Looks like I'm definitely not doing homework today.
Are you sure this is a good idea?
I'm spending time with my dad. You do stuff with your dads.
Yes. But doing a job for someone called the Polecat
is not a typical father-daughter activity.
At least your dad's not dragging you to a nutcracker swap meet.
-That's where nightmares are born. -[engine starts]
Hilda, you ready?
Ready.
See you later.
Look at us,
headed out of town on a mysterious errand to the castle ruins.
Such is the life of an adventurer.
Such is the life.
[upbeat adventurous music playing]
[music continues to play]
Whoo!
[thud, rattle]
Uh-oh!
[Hilda] Whoa!
-[Anders] Oh! Uh-oh! -[Hilda] Whoa!
-[Anders sighs] -[music fades]
We've got a flat tire.
Is it catastrophic?
Not if the spare in the back is good.
[grunts]
[Anders grunting]
Wrench, please.
[Hilda] Wrench.
-[Anders] Now, hold this. -[Hilda] Okay.
-[gentle chime] -[Twig whimpers]
[menacing music plays]
[whimpers]
-[Hilda] Twig. -[whimpers]
-Twig! -[gentle chime]
What do you have there?
[bell chimes gently]
You're right, boy. Let's bury it. These things are awful.
It's just a troll bell.
"Just a troll bell"?
When I was a troll, this sound was excruciating.
Even now, it makes me anxious.
Hm.
What was it like? Being one of them?
[sighs] Some of it was really fun. The wild part.
Running free, feeling like nothing could stop you or tie you down.
That's how I like to live.
[nostalgic music playing]
And my troll mum did take good care of me.
What about your troll dad?
I didn't have one. Trolls don't have dads.
They don't?
Nope. Not even the kind you want around.
Here. Take out the ringer… [grunts] …and…
goodbye, troll bell.
He!
Come on. Let's get back on the road.
Hey, would you like to drive for a bit?
Dad, I'm not old enough to drive.
Not in town, but out here, we make the rules.
Don't worry. I'll show you the basics. Come on.
[upbeat adventurous music playing]
[birds chirping]
-[car swooshes] -[Hilda] Whoo-hoo!
Mum would never let me do this.
Your mum's not much of a risk-taker.
Yes, she is. She flew on a woff when we visited Aunt Astrid.
[both grunt]
Whoa! Eyes on the road.
[whimpers]
And how is good old Aunt Astrid? She never liked me much, I gotta say.
I think she's nice.
Is she still handing out her weird charms?
Yep. She made me a really cool one.
Did she now?
The castle ruins!
[Hilda] Here we come.
[Anders] Whoa. Ease up on the gas. Ease up.
Well done.
[sighs]
-[clank] -[gasps]
-What's wrong with it? -You have to put it in park.
Oh. Got it.
[tires screech]
Now, simply turn the ignition and take out the keys.
[keys click, rattle]
Nice job.
[whimpers]
Wow.
[inspirational music playing]
[Anders sighs] I forgot how beautiful it is out here.
It really is.
We should go camping sometime.
Well, if you'd like.
I love camping.
We'll go next weekend, then.
It's a plan. I'll talk to your mum.
[music fades]
"I'll have her back by five-ish." It's past five-ish!
Shall I activate an emergency search and rescue protocol?
That might be premature. I'll call David's mum first.
-[keypad tones] -[phone ringing]
-Hello? -Hello, David. It's Johanna.
Is she with you?
-No, she left with Anders. -Oh, I see.
-To do a job for the Polecat. -Polecat?
-At the castle ruins. -The castle ruins?
-Do you know how to get there? -Yes. Yep. I know where that is.
Um, could you put your mum on, please? I need to borrow the car.
[mysterious music playing]
Hello? [echoing]
Hello!
Anybody here? [echoing]
[eerie music playing]
[man grunting]
This way.
[man] Come on. Lift with your back!
-[woman] Pull! -[man grunting] I'm pulling!
Hello there.
-Huh? Whoa! -Ah!
-[thud] -[both grunt]
-[grunts] -Oh, me coccyx.
Ooh. Uh, are you all right?
[Twig whimpers]
Oh, never better. And who are you?
I'm Anders. And this is my daughter, Hilda.
The Polecat sent us.
So, he couldn't be bothered to come back and get it himself. Figures.
Well, you might have better luck if you used a rope to haul that up.
Yes. Well, my genius of a partner forgot the rope.
I remembered the light, the shovels, and the picks. Thank you very much.
I think I saw some rope in the truck. I'll go and get it.
So, you work for the Polecat too?
[tense music playing]
[eerie music plays]
[grunting]
This thing is heavy.
We tried to carry it through that vittra tunnel,
but it's too heavy for that.
It still won't be easy to pull it up, even with this rope.
We'll make a pulley for it.
Brilliant, eh?
Yeah, if it works.
It'll work.
We just need to get this up and over that rafter.
And how are you gonna do that, eh?
I know.
Toss it here.
[upbeat inspiring music playing]
[grunting]
[grunts, sighs]
Yes!
There you go.
[music fades]
Teamwork.
That's a lot of boxes and trunks.
Most of them are absolute junk.
But the Polecat discovered that one of them was worth digging up.
He got a tip from a vittra about a troll hoard with treasure in it
somewhere under the castle ruins.
So, he cased the joint, and sure enough, a troll showed up to visit his hoard.
The Polecat followed, and there was the chest of gold.
The Polecat was so excited that he broke into a little victory jig.
[gasps] And that's when he knocked over an old lantern,
which clattered to the floor.
The jig was up, and now the troll was after him.
But the Polecat managed to escape.
He had found out all he needed to know.
-And that's what brings us here today. -[grunting]
We're leaving that chest right there.
We won't help you steal from a troll's hoard.
Oh, you couldn't keep your big mouth shut, could you?
Who cares what she thinks?
You're not the boss of us!
[tense music plays]
-[rustle] -[menacing music plays]
Look, it's getting late.
Let's haul this up and get out of here.
No!
Don't give us any trouble, missy, eh, or else.
Hey, don't you speak to my daughter that way.
Or else what?
I have the keys to the truck.
Uh-oh.
You better tell her to give you those keys.
You were hired to do a job.
[rattle]
[grunting]
-[Anders] Hey! -[thud]
-[growling] -Ooh! Hey!
[grunting]
[Johanna] Anders!
Ow!
[gasps, grunts]
Johanna.
Where's Hilda?
[Hilda] Up here.
Hi, Mum.
But you said you were taking her and her friends to lunch.
I did, but then one thing led to another. You know how it is.
No, I don't.
We were supposed to be back by sunset. Things just got a little bit off schedule.
Excuse me. Are you really her mum?
Yes!
Your daughter is being very uncooperative.
They're thieves. They're stealing from a troll's hoard.
We're thieves? She's the one who stole the keys to our boss's truck.
I didn't steal them. Dad gave them to me, so I could drive.
Drive? Anders!
-Anders? -Anders?
Well, I-- I-- I-- I had it completely under control.
Mum, don't be mad. It was fun.
Hilda, we are going home right now.
-[loud thud] -[gasps]
-[loud cracking] -Ah!
-[all moan] -[Anders] Uh-oh.
-[loud thud] -[menacing music playing]
[roaring]
Ah!
[giggles] Job's over.
Good luck.
[growls, roars]
[menacing music continues]
[roars]
[grunts]
-Hilda! -Hilda!
[roars]
-[Anders] Hey! -[roars]
[roars, grunts]
[screams]
[both grunt]
[gasps] Gotcha.
[panting]
[roars, grunts]
[panting]
-[thud] -[gasps softly]
[growls]
-[loud bang] -[roars]
[grunts]
Ha-ha!
[loud thud]
[roars]
Oh no!
[grunting]
[grunts]
[menacing music continues]
-[thuds] -Huh?
[roars]
[grunts]
[roaring]
[monster grunting]
[water gurgling]
[moans]
[mysterious music plays]
[Hilda] Wait!
[gasps, pants]
Spit him out.
[roars]
[grunting]
I mean it. Right now!
[grunts, roars]
You didn't eat him, did you?
[grunts, sighs]
Sorry. Did you see where my dad went?
[grunting]
[tense music plays]
Look, he must have left through that tunnel.
And I think it's time we were leaving too.
I bet he'll be outside waiting for us.
[footsteps approaching]
Dad?
We're over here!
Dad! Dad!
[car engine starts, roars]
And there he goes again. How is it always so easy for him?
Maybe the exit for the tunnel was really far. He wouldn't just…
Hilda, he would.
This is what he does when he feels overwhelmed.
He runs away to his next adventure.
But he said he would take me camping. This weekend. It was a plan.
He's not good at sticking to a plan. But that doesn't mean he doesn't love you.
He just has a hard time showing it.
[sad music playing]
Hey, let's go home now, okay?
[sighs]
[engine starts]
Are you hungry?
I am, actually.
I made us a pie. Hopefully, Tontu hasn't finished it off by now.
[radio interference]
["Oslo" by Seabear playing through radio]
[sighs]
["Oslo" continues to play through radio]
♪ …Norwegian forest Was racing past my eyes ♪
♪ Ten years flew by ♪
♪ And you grew into a stranger Before my eyes ♪
♪ I am trying to lose my mind ♪
♪ All the time Stop on a dime ♪
♪ Feel alright Sing all night ♪
♪ Get up on time Shine my light… ♪