A young woman in Sweden frustrated by police inaction refuses to back down when a man targets the livelihood of her Indigenous community. Based on the novel by Ann-Helén Laestadius, Stolen follows the Sámi peoples’ struggle to defend their Indigenous heritage, and the woman who puts her life at stake to bring them justice. Directed by Elle Márjá Eira (The Sámi Have Rights, Ealát), with a screenplay by Peter Birro (Monica Z, 438 Days), the film stars Elin Kristina Oskal, Lars-Ánte Wasara, and Martin Wallström. Stolen is Oskal’s feature debut. 

When will Stolen be released?

Stream it now.

Where can I find the trailer for Stolen?

Check it out at the top of this page. 

Dakota Trancher Williams, Elin Kristina Oskal, Charlotte Lindmark, and Lars-Ante Wasara in Stolen

Carl-Johan Utsi

Who’s in the cast of Stolen?

• Elin Kristina Oskal as Elsa, a young Sámi woman
• Martin Wallström (Mr. Robot) as Robert Isaksson, who targets the Sámi’s herd
• Lars-Ánte Wasara as Mattias, Elsa’s brother
• Ida Labba Persson  (The Silence in Sápmi) as Anna-Stina, Elsa’s friend
• Pávva Pittja (Midnight Sun) as Lasse, Elsa’s family friend
• Inger Gunhild “Inghilda” Maria Tapio as Áhkku, Elsa’s grandmother
• Magnus Kuhmunen as Nils Johan, Elsa’s father
• Simon Issát Marainen as Olle, a reindeer herder and the village spokesperson
• Niilá Omma as Niila Heatta, Elsa’s love interest 
• Ánne Lájlá Westerfjell Kalstad (Skáidi) as Marika, Elsa’s mom
• Risten-Alida Siri Skum as Young Elsa

Carl-Johan Utsi

What happens in Stolen?

Elsa is part of Sweden’s Sámi community, an Indigenous group that lives across Sweden, Norway, and Finland. While Elsa attends a Swedish-language school, at home she speaks only Sámi and takes part in traditions that’ve continued for thousands of years — like caring for her community’s reindeer herd. Reindeer are sacred to the Sámi, and a huge part of their livelihood. But for the last two decades, non-Indigenous people have been hunting them — and Elsa, especially after being silenced by one of the hunters, is convinced the killings stem from hatred toward her people. The police have done nothing, reporting the deaths as thefts instead of hate crimes, so Elsa takes matters into her own hands — taking those in power to task, bringing the issue to the press, and even putting her life at risk to target one of the killers.

Is Stolen based on a book?

It’s based on the novel of the same name by author and journalist Ann-Helén Laestadius. The novel won Sweden’s Book of the Year Award in 2021. Laestadius serves as one of the film’s executive producers.

“It is about time that the world gets to know this story and what is going on in Sápmi today,” director Eira told Netflix. “I recognize myself in this story. I also know that my fellow Indigenous sisters, brothers, and ancestors are with me.”

Is Stolen based on a true story?

While the story is fictional, it’s inspired by the Sámi peoples of Europe and the discrimination they face. For years, many Sámi have petitioned to get reindeer killings classified as hate crimes. 

Where does Stolen take place? Where was it filmed? 

Stolen takes place in and was filmed in the Sápmi region of Northern Sweden.

Explore Now