EXCLUSIVE: Kiernan Shipka and Kristofer Hivju Talk Playing the Villains in ‘Red One’
Kiernan Shipka and Kristofer Hivju star in Amazon MGM Studios in Holiday movie, Red One. We got the chance to hear from duo regarding playing the villains and the movie and their on Christmas traditions. Check out what they had to say below.
On how they both prepped to play the villains in the movie?
Shipka: “It was really fun. I loved it. I’ve never really played a proper villain before. I’ve definitely played people who are dark and twisted, but the film kind of hinges on this kidnapping, and it was really cool to feel like I had a part in the movie that was sort of moving things in any sort of direction. That was really fun. I liked the stakes. And I love that this movie’s so fun. I mean, there’s a lot of heart in it, there’s a lot of action in it, but at the end of the day, I think you sit down and it’s a really fun watch, so playing someone who is a villain but also maintaining like a sense of levity and fun with the whole thing was also really lovely. So it was great. I’ll play villain anytime. It was fun.
Hivju: “For me, it was like the character is more or less the suit, right? So I try to play against the suit, make him actually plain, as feminine, as narcissistic and self-indulging as possible, and suddenly that mixture became a bit disturbing. But the funny thing about Krampus is that he has the same objective as Nick. They want the same, it’s just the method, punishing or rewarding, and sometimes you need a bit of slapping.”
On what their Christmas traditions:
Shipka: “It’s all about family and being together with people. But I have a very fun holiday party every year. That is my own personal. It’s not this year, no one’s not been invited, but… Kitchen is being renovated. Don’t worry, 2025 will be very fun. But yeah, that’s what I do.”
Hivju: “What I need, I need a big Santa chocolate, this hole inside, and a Christmas movie. That’s Christmas for me.”
Red One is now in theaters!
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity