Kristofer Hivju is easily one of the best parts of Red One, a Christmas action-comedy that dropped just in time for the holidays. The Norwegian actor, best known for his role as Tormund in Game of Thrones, plays the mythological creature Krampus. He looks unrecognisable in the film which also features Chris Evans, Dwayne Johnson, J.K. Simmons, Lucy Liu and more. In an exclusive chat with Filmfare, the actor opened up about his transformation, making the terrifying Krampus feminine and why he isn’t doing any more “Viking stuff.”

How much has life changed since Game of Thrones?

Well, Game of Thrones changed everything because I’d already been an actor for 15 years before I played Tormund. But it changed a lot. I think I’ve done a lot of fun stuff and very varied stuff. I have chosen not to do any more Viking stuff. After a part like that, they throw Viking projects at you. But I try to avoid that. So I’m very happy and I’m enjoying this phase. In The Witcher, I also did a figure like this. And I really enjoy this kind of work where I can transform totally.

Between Game of Thrones and Red One, you’ve played a fair share of tough guys with an endearing charm…

Thank you. It’s so lovely to hear that. The thing is that Krampus is physically intimidating and he just looks horrible. So if you have a horrible look and you play like you’re very bad, it could become ineffective. That’s why I made him a bit feminine and a bit self-indulging. That’s the opposite of what he looks like. And then there are more dimensions to it. So you can’t play the mask. You have to play the opposite of the mask.

What was it like getting into the elaborate look of the character?

The funny thing is, it’s prosthetics, not special effects. What you see is what I was. It was very freeing as an actor because when you’re playing a character, you have to lie very well. But when you have a full-on mask, so much of the lying part is already there. So you can just be the character. I had extremely much fun doing that. I think Krampus looks quite cool.

What was your experience of working with Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans?

I worked with Dwayne Johnson on The Fate of the Furious. So we have met before although we didn’t have any scenes together in that movie. And Chris Evans, I love his work, I have seen so many of his movies. I love the chemistry between them and we had a lot of fun on set. We shot that scene of the Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) for at least a month, three weeks a month. So we got time to hang around.

If you played Krampus’ game with Dwayne Johnson, who do you think would win?

That’s a hard question. I think none of us would like to play the game. But I wouldn’t go up against Dwayne Johnson in any fighting games.

Do you think there’s enough Norwegian representation in cinema?

I make sure that Norway is represented. Redheads are a minority and we need to get our voice out there. That’s what I’m doing. So I’m taking care of that.

Have you watched any Indian movies?

Yeah, I have some Pakistani and Indian friends. I think some of the movies are hilarious and very nice. I’ll be looking out for those and I want to be in one. I want to be in a Bollywood movie. Make it happen,

Red One is currently streaming on Prime Video.