From Iceland and Netflix comes the critically acclaimed supernatural mystery Katla. The spellbinding original takes place in the small village of Vík, whose residents fled after the Katla volcano erupted a year earlier, leaving the surrounding land covered in ash. The criminally underrated series follows the few courageous residents and rescue workers who stayed behind despite the volcano’s threat and suffocating ash, only to face a terrifying supernatural phenomenon.
Katla premiered on June 17, 2021, and consisted of eight chilling episodes that masterfully explored the lore of “changelings” while delivering a tense, suspenseful experience throughout. The spooky series was created by Sigurjón Kjartansson (Trapped) and Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns, Everest), and garnered universal praise upon its debut for its slow-burn storytelling and poignant depiction of loss and grief. It is one of the few shows on Netflix to hold a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. Let’s take a look back at the Netflix gem and why it’s worthy of a watch.
‘Katla’ Weaves a Spine-Tingling Tale of Horror and Mystery
The eight-episode mystery-horror series Katla transports audiences to the real-life Icelandic village of Vík, lying in the shadow of the titular volcano. Many residents fled after the eruption a year earlier, leaving only a few courageous individuals behind. The eerie original centers on the community’s remaining residents, including Grima (Guðrún Ýr Eyfjörð), a rescue worker who is struggling with the disappearance of her beloved older sister Ása following Katla’s eruption, prompting her to join forces with the head of the local police, Gísli Einar (Þorsteinn Bachmann), to help look into the tragedy.
When an ash-covered woman who disappeared two decades prior suddenly shows up in the village looking just as she did when she first went missing, the residents are left equally confused and terrified as more deceased, ash-caked people begin to resurface. Their mysterious appearances lead the remaining residents to fear that the legends of changelings are real, forcing them to confront unresolved guilt, grief, and long-buried secrets. It doesn’t take long for the reason behind the bizarre emergence of the changelings to be exposed, leading to a spine-tingling turn of events.
‘Katla’ Is a Must-See for Spooky Lovers Everywhere
Katla is a series brimming with a deeply foreboding atmosphere, a haunting supernatural mystery, and chilling imagery, and it also powerfully explores how the town’s residents cope with the unfathomable reemergence of their long-deceased loved ones. Audiences will find themselves on the edge of their seats thanks to the show’s dark, extremely unsettling aesthetic, which remains taut throughout all eight episodes, punctuated by the appearance of the ash-covered changelings, whose true motives are frighteningly revealed.
The series faced significant obstacles to reach the small screen. Production began in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, before the COVID-19 pandemic; Kormákur resumed filming in April 2020, with the creative team taking painstaking measures to complete the series safely. Kormákur is no stranger to braving the elements and intimidating hurdles for the love of the craft, as he faced unforgiving terrain while filming his acclaimed films like Everest, The Deep, and Adrift, all of which featured grueling shoots in the mountains and at sea. Tesha Crawford, Netflix’s Director of International Originals Northern Europe, said of Katla:
“Iceland has been the home for so many series and films over the years. We are excited to be able to feature it’s breathtaking surroundings in a story that is so grounded in Icelandic themes. Working with such an acclaimed talent like Baltasar Kormákur makes this project a perfect set up for us.”
Katla was the first Icelandic-language production from Netflix, and the spooky gem has a similar feel to fellow underrated hits like The Returned and Dark, which also feature intricate storylines, endless suspense, and supernatural twists, all of which make for a truly exciting viewing experience. Upon its debut, Katla became a massive hit with both critics and audiences, nabbing a highly coveted 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and an equally solid 79% Popcornmeter rating from fans, who were captivated by the mystery show’s depth, folklore elements, and exciting plot twists. In their rave review of the series, New Scientist wrote:
“Katla is a thriller with such depth that some episodes, particularly the fast-paced season finale, can leave you feeling genuinely emotionally raw. It is a story about grief with unpredictably dark twists and turns, worthy of multiple watches.”
Katla is a must-see original that is sure to satisfy horror lovers everywhere thanks to its compelling psychological mystery and thrilling inclusion of folklore elements. The series has also been well-received on IMDb. One user glowingly said, “The premise was unique and the conclusion was poetic. The cinematography and special effects are magnificent throughout the series. Overall, a well made and well acted sci-fi/drama.” Katla is available to stream on Netflix.
