"The Valhalla Murders" both is and isn't based on a real crime. According to Palsson, the series was inspired by "the real story in the late 40s, of a state-run institution for troubled boys, in a remote place in Iceland, where kids between 7-14 were horrifically beaten and abused by staff members" (via Nordisk Film & TV Fond).
"The boys eventually received small financial compensations, but the scandal was pretty much swept under the rug," he said, explaining that his team knew about the case. "We didn't want to exploit that shabby story but raise the topic and get conversations going."
Raising awareness about the hidden horrors of state homes was important for the series, and so was exploring how the past can linger into the future. A study by Gisli Gudjonsson found that "75% of the boys who attended the state-run institution between 1953 and 1970 became convicted criminals later in life," which is reflected in the series as it shows where many of these abused men wound up (via Cinemaholic).
However, the events that inspired the series didn't involve murder. That was a fictional addition to the harrowing story to give it more drama and tension.
If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
