Halfdan Returns, A Winter Horror Musical
As a branding curator, I celebrate bold sequels that reshape perception with humour and craft. VisitOSLO’s Halfdan returns, now as a gloomy, musical protagonist in a winter horror take. This risky tonal twist rewards viewers, and it earned five million organic views in launch week. The execution is cinematic, the humour is understated, and the affection for Oslo remains intact. Produced by NewsLab and directed by August Jorfald, the film elevates the sequel beyond easy repetition. Bendik Aunan’s performance and the musical hook make Halfdan surprisingly endearing, despite his sceptical tone today.
As a curator, I flag this campaign as a masterclass in empathetic contradiction and playful persuasion. It proves that honesty, humour and a strong character can convert sceptics into curious visitors. Brand teams will want to study the tonal pivot and the confident production choices. The piece is both an earned media triumph and a creative reminder to take risks. Read the full analysis to see behind the scenes credits, audience metrics and the campaign rationale. You will leave inspired to rethink seasonal storytelling and to champion brave creative choices at scale. This is essential reading.
Source: www.creativeboom.com
