Tommy Wirkola’s animated film Spermageddon premiered on February 28, 2025, but sparked uproar well before its release. Critics, led by nurse and youth worker Elin Bjerkestrand, launched a petition—now nearing 3,000 signatures—to raise the film’s 12-year age limit to 15, citing its “pornographic” humor and explicit content. The movie follows teens Lisa and Jens during their first time, alongside a sperm cell’s race to the egg.
Wirkola, known for the underground parody Kill Buljo and nazizombie movie Død Snø, admitted he expected some buzz but was surprised by the age-rating backlash. “This is publicity you can’t buy,” he said to NRK, suggesting the criticism might backfire, driving curious 12-year-olds to see it. Co-director Rasmus Sivertsen has invited detractors for a post-screening debate.
Norway’s Media Authority upheld the 12-year rating on premiere day, calling the film’s cartoonish style a buffer to its themes. Meanwhile, it’s rated 11 in Sweden and 7 in Denmark. The Hollywood Reporter predicts cult status, but the film lacks U.S. distribution, which Wirkola attributes to America’s squeamishness about sex in media.
Despite the controversy, Wirkola hopes Norwegian teens—the target audience—will flock to theaters. “We made it for them,” he said.
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