Spermageddon - SIFF [2025]

Spermageddon [2024]

Film

This film was viewed at the 51st Seattle International Film Festival

I know what you're thinking—yes, this is a real film. Even if it feels like a fever dream at times, Spermageddon is very real. And while it takes some time to settle down, this Norwegian animated adult musical is so extraordinarily unique, it honestly deserves to be seen. Better yet, it screams to be seen. In Osmosis Jones manner, Tommy Wirkola and Rasmus A. Sivertsen's film centers on Jens (Christian Fredrik Mikkelsen), a nerdy and socially awkward teenager whose parents are desperately trying to get out of the house, and, as expected, his sperm. Simen (Aksel Hennie) is Jens incarnate as a humanized sperm; awkward, introverted, and afraid of new experiences especially the prophesied Spermageddon. Wirkola along with co-writers Geir Vegar Hoel and Jesper Sundnes cleverly contextualize the titular event as a mythological journey to Valhalla, where sperm that die in an effort to fertilize an egg will be awaited in the Great Hall of Asgard. Lending some gravitas to the situation provides an enthralling juxtaposition between Jens' predispositions and Simen's. While both would rather stay inside and play video games all day, you can't help but laugh at the comparisons between their individual actions and the scale between them. One's journey is mundane, while the other is microscopic yet epic.

But for every clever bit of depth, there are probably 15 puns about bodily fluids, genitals, and everything in between. Simen's best friend's name is Cumilla (Mathilde Thomine Storm), the antagonist is a giga-chad sperm named Jizzmo (Christian Rubeck), and I could keep going but it's hard to remember the 80-minute runtime filled with euphemisms for sex, sperm, and vagina. There's certainly a stretch-which could be any subsect of runtime-where you grow tired of what feels like an Adult Swim version of Inside Out. The jokes can be reductive and if the humor doesn't land then Spermageddon can be a seriously trying watch. But if you can lend some levity to the situation, then this irreverent comedy can be something really special. Wirkola has long pushed boundaries to outrageously campy territory, the Dead Snow films are a great example, but its especially true for Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. No matter the source idea, whether its Nazi zombies attacking college kids or a childhood fable turned on its head, Wirkola has often gone against the grain, so to speak. His most recent film, Violent Night is a spin on Christmas movies that sees a beloved icon like Santa turn into an enraged violent badass. Spermageddon is no exception as its imbued with that very same rebellious spirit, yet its often to varying results.

While it's quite aware of the type of film it is, some of the more outrageous moments-biologically speaking-deliver more eye rolls than laughs such as a musical number by E. Coli and the "gang's" journey to even get there. Yet, even with Spermageddon spraying crude puns and irreverent humor all over the place, it's absolutely bonkers third act is a true saving grace. Going through Simen, Cumilla and Jizzmo's (a trio of names I never thought I'd be typing) journey on the inside, along with Jens and Lisa (Nasrin Khusrawi) winds up constructing a beautiful comedy of errors about sexual faux pas. The awkwardness of Jens and Lisa's first time, the pleasure gap, and so many other little ins and outs (I can make sex puns too) culminate in a finale that moves at a breakneck pace but lands all of its emotional punches. Finally bringing the house down with a musical number on the importance of being ready to have kids and the contraceptive options available to ensure that you're being safe was the perfect reality check for Wirkola's otherwise raucous animated film.

Now is it possible that no matter what I've said here there's no way you'd watch Spermageddon? Yeah, absolutely, I get that. But, if there's one thing that Wirkola has passively beckoned to his audience, it's to check your expectations and taste at the door and be open to something that's going to be way out there. While Spermageddon is by no means the de facto sex ed film of the 21st century (but it might be given the current state of affairs) it does a tremendous job conveying the importance of communication, consent, and comfort between sex partners. Resulting in a phenomenally entertaining and unique viewing experience, as Wirkola is known for, but this time, with a little more spunk.

Froth

I could've gone a number of routes here but I think I'll stick to the very High School theme that Wirkola incorporates. Not only into the humor, but also the main message of the film being more applicable to the younger generations. Cloudburst Brewing's Peaked in High School is a sumptuous West Coast Double Red Ale that not only punches you in the mouth, but asks to do so before. At 7.7% ABV it's got some real punch behind it, hence my theme here, and it does show just a tad. But the smooth maltiness that follows is a welcome treat as it escorts a warm sweetness and solid bready depth to the brew. Of course it wouldn't be the West Coast without a nice hoppy bitterness to share with everyone and it is dynamic here. The classic high school entourage of cool kids being Chinook, Mosaic, Simcoe and Centennial hops makes the bitterness profile much more intriguing than anything else and gives it a nice floral aroma along with some stone fruits, citrus, and grassy lightness. Which of course makes it the perfect companion to the ups and downs of Spermageddon, which also has its bitter moments, but comes around with ultimate sweetness and a feeling that things are going to be A OK.

Also a huge congratulations to Cloudburst Brewing who took home the gold medal from the 2025 World Beer Cup for this brew! Incredible work from an always incredible brewery, I'm in awe of their consistency and fantastic beers. Cheers to many more!