Øyvind Brandtzæg

Born in the snowy, industrial town of Mo i Rana back in ’71, Øyvind Brandtzæg has this kind of presence that just sticks with you. The dude’s got range. People mostly know him from The Manila Lover (that 2019 indie that had everyone talking at film festivals), where he played this Norwegian guy lost in Manila, chasing a love story that’s not quite what it seems. The film’s all about loneliness, that awkward longing for connection, and Øyvind just nails the awkwardness and vulnerability. Not a lot of actors can pull off that kind of rawness without it feeling staged, but he’s got this way of making every moment look like something you just happened to catch on the street. Then there’s 22. juli, the 2020 drama about the aftermath of Norway’s darkest day. It’s heavy stuff—political, personal, intense. Øyvind’s role isn’t flashy, but damn, it’s powerful. He slips into these characters and makes you forget you’re watching a performance. It’s like he’s lived five lifetimes, and each one left a mark on his face. And then, apparently, he’s got a part in Kraken, which is dropping in 2025. There’s not a ton out there about it yet, but people are already buzzing. He’s the kind of actor who doesn’t just play a role—he brings this unfiltered energy, like he’s not afraid to get a little messy, a little real. Honestly, whether he’s front and center or just lurking in the background, he leaves an impression you can’t shake.