Tommy Wirkola

Biography

Tommy Wirkola is a Norwegian filmmaker known for his unique blend of dark humor, high-concept action, and genre-mashing narratives. A native of Alta with Sámi heritage, he first gained international attention with the Nazi-zombie horror-comedy Dead Snow before successfully transitioning to Hollywood studio filmmaking. In 2026, Wirkola returns to the director's chair for two major studio releases. He helms the holiday blockbuster "Violent Night 2" (December 4, 2026), the sequel to his 2022 hit. The film sees David Harbour reprising his role as a sledgehammer-wielding Santa Claus, with Wirkola promising a story that expands the mythology to include the North Pole and Mrs. Claus. Earlier in the year, his survival thriller "Shiver" (formerly titled Beneath the Storm) arrives in theaters on July 3, 2026. Produced by Adam McKay, the film stars Phoebe Dynevor and Djimon Hounsou and follows a group of survivors trapped in a hurricane who must contend with a shark attack in the flooded streets. The project faced a strategic delay from its original 2025 release date to position it as a prime summer tentpole. Wirkola also recently co-directed the adult animated musical "Spermageddon" (2025), a "road trip" comedy about reproduction that saw a wide streaming release on Paramount+ in late 2025 after a successful festival run.