How they made Red One’s Krampus ……..

As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for all things fantastical and folkloric, I must admit that Red One’s Krampus has left me utterly spellbound. The painstaking effort put into crafting this iconic figure, steeped in German mythology, is nothing short of breathtaking. Kristofer Hivju, a man best known for his stint as the fearsome Jon Snow’s BFF, has been transformed beyond recognition under layers of prosthetics and intricate costumes designed by the legendary Joel Harlow.

Despite receiving predominantly negative reviews (you can read our review HERE), Red One’s portrayal of Krampus, a half-goat creature rooted in German folklore, has earned considerable acclaim. Kristofer Hivju, famously recognized for his role in Game of Thrones, brings this character to life under an impressive 8lbs of prosthetics designed by Joel Harlow. Known for his work on Black Adam, Hellboy, Black Panther, Logan, and even winning an Oscar for the 2010 Star Trek film, Harlow’s design is truly remarkable. In collaboration with costume designer L.J. Shannon, the actor frequently traveled between Oslo and L.A. for fittings over a long period of time.

Initially, a full-body sculpture of Hivju was created, followed by the creation of suits around it. When Hivju tensed his muscles, the suit responded accordingly. However, there were some issues: Hivju’s skin reacted badly to being fully covered, causing rashes and other problems due to lack of breathability. He described the process as challenging, but the stunning final result made it worthwhile.

Harlow explained the process of creating Krampus: “It’s not a simple matter of sticking six horns onto someone’s head or slapping on some silicone skin. We need an underlying skull structure for the horns, which should blend effortlessly with the skin. The hairpieces must also seamlessly match this setup. The lenses and teeth are integral to the design as well, tying everything together. Finally, it’s Kristofer who breathes life into this creation.

In this rephrased version, the main event for Red’s character in Krampus is the Krampusschlap, a scene where he and Dwayne Jonsson exchange slaps across their faces. This sequence can be quite scary for children, as it might inspire them to mimic the action, similar to the ‘You’ve been tangoed!’ dance craze from 1990s advertisements.

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 scene, which featured a variety of background actors dressed in equally detailed costumes as satyrs, fauns and other mythological creatures.

In simpler terms, Hivju explained that the costume designer aimed to give him an appearance that exuded a sensual godlike charm. Translated, she said, “I want to make you attractive with the leather pants.” They debated the ideal placement of the waistline. Essentially, they were discussing the desired shape of his posterior. Hivju expressed his preference for a fuller derriere, requesting “more muscle, more muscle, more muscle” in the costumes they tried on. They had various sizes available and spent considerable time during fittings to achieve the goal of creating a half-god with a hedonistic appeal.

Referencing the German folklore origins, they designed a tank top for Krampus mimicking birch bark, symbolizing the wood he often uses to discipline misbehaving children. Instead of traditional cloven hooves, they fashioned boots reminiscent of Dr. Martens for him.

Watching Krampus, as portrayed by Red One, offers one of the most impressive on-screen interpretations of the legendary folklore figure.

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