Creating ‘Sexy’ Krampus: How ‘Red One’ Star Kristofer Hivju Transformed Into Santa’s Devilishly Hot Brother With an 85-Pound Suit

As a movie critic with a penchant for fantastical films and a soft spot for ruggedly handsome characters, I must say that Amazon’s “Red One” has truly outdone itself with the introduction of Kristofer Hivju‘s Krampus. This is not your grandmother’s Krampus!

In the Amazon series “Red One,” Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson, both former recipients of the title “Sexiest Man Alive,” are in leading roles. However, a charismatic character who’s part goat and part heartthrob has been captivating the audience instead.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I excitedly share that Kristofer Hivju, famously known for his role in “Game of Thrones,” brings life to the intriguing character of Krampus – Santa’s unexpectedly captivating, devilish sibling. Making an appearance midway through the movie, Chris Evans’ Jack O’Malley and Dwayne Johnson’s Callum Drift embark on a quest to find the missing Santa Claus, ably portrayed by the muscular J.K. Simmons. Their journey leads them to Krampus’ ominous lair, where he is flanked by an array of mythical creatures engaging in “Krampusschlap” – a thrilling game involving forceful slaps across the room. Initially denying any involvement in the kidnapping plot orchestrated by his ex-girlfriend and winter witch Gryla (Kiernan Shipka), Krampus eventually challenges Callum and Jack to a round of Krampusschlap. Despite his intimidating stature, Callum manages to outsmart the alluring monster, allowing our heroes to escape relatively unharmed, ready to continue their pursuit for Santa Claus.

Over a series of months, makeup artist Joel Harlow and specialist costume designer L.J. Shannon designed and crafted the Krampus suit specifically for actor Hivju. This suit was so important that Hivju traveled between his hometown of Oslo, Norway, and Los Angeles to ensure a perfect fit.

Initially, they crafted a life-size statue of my entire body, followed by creating suits that enclosed me. As I contract my muscles, these garments respond accordingly, he explained. He likened the 85-pound, full-body suit he wore to Colin Farrell’s portrayal of “Penguin,” where the actor was transformed into a balding, overweight gangster character. However, his skin had some reactions to the suit, and it required numerous hours to don it.

He mentioned that when he was fully clad, his skin became irritated and broke out, saying it was like his skin had lost its cool. It wasn’t easy, but the end result, the way he appeared, made it all worthwhile.

Creating ‘Sexy’ Krampus: How ‘Red One’ Star Kristofer Hivju Transformed Into Santa’s Devilishly Hot Brother With an 85-Pound Suit

The transformation began as a four-hour process, then was reduced to around two and a half hours. Around 40 makeup artists worked on the Krampusschlap scene, which featured a variety of background actors dressed in equally detailed costumes as satyrs, fauns and other mythological creatures.

Harlow explained that creating Krampus isn’t straightforward: “You need six horns, a full-body suit, hands, gloves, teeth, glasses, and a design. Attaching six horns to someone’s head isn’t as simple as sticking them on. Instead, there’s an underlying skull structure that holds the horns in place, which must blend flawlessly with the silicone skin. On top of this, hairpieces are added, all while ensuring a smooth transition. The lenses and teeth also need to be integrated properly, and it’s Kristofer who breathes life into the finished product.

Regardless of the itchy rashes and the tireless hours spent in the makeup room, Hivju persevered, delivering a chilling, confident portrayal of the horned beast. By the climax of the film, even Krampus underwent a change of heart and lent a helping hand to the heroes during their frosty mission to rescue Santa.

Shannon commented, ‘It’s Kristofer’s charm that makes all the difference.’ Every time I design a creature, my colleagues tease me because I insist on making him attractive. There’s something about creating lovable characters that draws people in. A villain needs to be complex enough to keep viewers engaged and, oddly enough, you find yourself cheering for them.

In my own words, I’d say: “He shared, ‘My aim is to give you a tantalizing look with those leather pants.’ We experimented with the placement of the waistline. He’d ask, ‘What kind of derriere do you prefer?’ I was all about a fuller figure, more volume, more curves. We had an array of muscle and leg sizes at our disposal. We invested considerable time in fitting costumes, but ultimately, we wanted to create a charismatic half-god, a divine character with an indulgent flair.

The team aimed to not only transform Krampus into a more modern figure, but also to honor his German folklore roots. This meant creating a tank top for Hivju that mimicked the appearance of birch bark, symbolic of the wood used by Krampus when punishing misbehaving children, and swapping out his traditional cloven hooves with boots styled after Dr. Martens.

Hivju stated that if Santa represents God, then Krampus stands for the devil in this interpretation. However, we’ve given him a more masculine edge compared to traditional folklore.

2024-11-16 01:17

Creating ‘Sexy’ Krampus: How ‘Red One’ Star Kristofer Hivju Transformed Into Santa’s Devilishly Hot Brother With an 85-Pound Suit

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