‘Spermageddon’ Movie Review [Fantastic Fest 2024]: A Vulgar Animated Sex Musical Pumps All of Its Energy Into Repetitive Puns

Photo from Fantastic Fest

From Jeff Nelson

Pixar makes movies for audiences of all ages, once again making the obvious, yet unfortunately necessary case that animation isn’t only for children. Nor is it a genre. But, what about animation aimed specifically for a more mature theater crowd? Tommy Wirkola and Rasmus A. Sivertsen’s Spermageddon doesn’t hold back, infusing loads of raunchy sex humor into every scene. But, is that able to sustain an entire feature film?

Teenager Jens (voiced by Christian Mikkelsen) goes on a weekend getaway with his friends and crush, Lisa (voiced by Nasrin Khusrawi). Meanwhile, Jens’ sperm cells Simen (voiced by Aksel Hennie) and Cumilla (voiced by Mathilde Storm) prepare for their host to lose his virginity, setting them on the life-or-death journey to reach the Egg to create life.

The movie alternates between the two narratives, beginning with Simen’s story. Professor Saltsmak (voiced by Bjørn Sundquist) teaches him and the rest of the class about the comically brutal ways that sperm cells meet their end – from dying in a tissue to burning alive in a person’s stomach acid. The young sperm’s fascination for the greater human body beyond reproductive parts is mocked by his peers. Fellow sperm cell, Cumilla, dreams of the great trek to the Egg, but Simen fears potential death, trying to convince her to stay safe where they are. Nevertheless, they’re forced to set on a wild journey toward the possibility of creating human life.

Jens and Lisa’s love blossoms in full awkward teenage glory, consenting to having sex for the first time. They employ safe sex practices, especially intent on avoiding teenaged pregnancy. However, Jens and Lisa aren’t aware of the evil Tony Stark-as-a-sperm called Jizzmo (voiced by Christian Rubeck), who prepared an Iron Man-inspired suit equipped with the necessary tools to guarantee his success in reaching the Egg. Each form of contraception poses a unique life-or-death challenge for the traveling sperm.

In many ways, Spermageddon is what you get when you make a sperm-centered version of Inside Out meets Sausage Party. Instead of following an adolescent girl’s mind, it follows what comes from an adolescent boy’s penis. The bustling city within his balls is given culture all its own, although it speeds along to rush from one set piece to the next. Wirkola, Jesper Sudnes, and Geir Vegar Hoel’s screenplay doesn’t allow the humor to breathe, jamming as many puns as possible into every sentence. There are some funny ones, but it grows tiresome.

The sperm cells’ journey brings the adventure, while Jens’ perspective strives for the heart. There’s a certain innocence woven into their young love that works, but it also suffers from a lack of depth. The two lovers never encounter any real hardship, leaving this half of the narrative without compelling stakes. Jens and Lisa’s friends introduced at the beginning of their trip disappear from the plot, never to be seen or mentioned again.

Spermageddon has bright and colorful animation that brings both worlds to life. Beyond the comedy, Wirkola and Sivertsen’s movie is also a musical. The titular song is energetic and catchy, but it’s the only memorable song of the bunch. 

Spermageddon’s humor and creativity work in spots, but even at only 79 minutes long, the repetitive puns make for an exhausting affair. Both plots rattle off at lightning speed, making it impossible to latch onto anything. This animated sex comedy’s sheer insanity feels designed to be experienced with a crowd, but it doesn’t hold up without being on that wavelength.

Rating: 2/5

Spermageddon played Fantastic Fest 2024 on September 21st, 2024.

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