Variance Films acquired the theatrical rights to the film in the U.S. and released it in New York City on December 4, 2009.[1] The film grossed $7,246 on a single screen in its first week, the second highest per-screen gross of any debuting film at the time (behind Up in the Air).[citation needed]
Andrew O'Hehir of Salon.com called the film "crafty and compelling".[3] Nick Pinkerton of The Village Voice wrote, "The filmmakers seem cowed into obeisance by their subjects. Varg's last onscreen appearance is accompanied by a montage fitting a schoolyard crush, and the film's title is the translation of Burzum's fourth album, Hvis lyset tar oss. [...] [the film] arrives a decade too late to add much."[4]
Lords of Chaos, a dramatization of some events in the Norwegian black metal scene.
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, a documentary film discussing the traits and originators of some of metal's many subgenres, including Norwegian black metal.