He is tall. He is German. He is confusingly attractive in a mesh shirt. When we talk about the absolute peak of the Pitch Perfect franchise, most people point to the Riff-Off or the Bellas finally finding their sound. But honestly? The real magic happened the second Flula Borg stepped onto the screen as Pieter Krämer.
If you’ve seen Pitch Perfect 2, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Flula didn't just play a character; he basically hijacked the entire movie with a mix of aggressive beatboxing and syntax-destroying insults. It’s been years since that movie hit theaters, yet the "Das Sound Machine" era remains a weirdly specific cultural touchstone.
The Mystery of Flula Borg in Pitch Perfect 2
Before he was Pieter Krämer, Flula Borg was a YouTube sensation. He was the guy making "AutoTunes" videos and wondering why "Jennifer is a party pooper." Then, Hollywood called. Specifically, Elizabeth Banks saw something in his chaotic energy that screamed "German a cappella overlord."
Most actors get a script and stick to it. Flula? Not so much. Rumor has it a lot of his interactions with Anna Kendrick’s Beca were heavily improvised. When he tells her she is a "heated mess" or mocks her "tiny, tiny feet," that isn’t just writing. That is the pure, unfiltered brain of a Bavarian man who has spent too much time thinking about American idioms.
Why Das Sound Machine Actually Worked
Let’s be real: the Bellas needed a real threat. In the first movie, the Treblemakers were just cocky college guys. By the second film, the stakes were international. Enter Das Sound Machine (DSM).
They were intimidating. They were efficient. They wore enough black spandex to outfit a small cycling team. Flula’s Pieter, alongside the equally terrifying and tall Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Kommissar, represented a level of vocal perfection that made the Bellas look like a mess.
There’s a funny bit of trivia that actual German speakers always point out: the name "Das Sound Machine" is grammatically incorrect. In German, it should be Die Sound Machine because "Maschine" is feminine. But "Das" sounds more aggressive, more "German" to an American ear. Flula, being a native speaker, definitely knew this, but he leaned into the absurdity anyway.
The Pieter Krämer Redemption Arc
Most people think Flula Borg and the Pitch Perfect universe ended with the second movie. They’re wrong.
Fast forward to 2022. Peacock releases Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin. While the show focuses on Adam DeVine’s Bumper, the secret sauce is the return of Pieter. But he isn't the same man.
Pieter has fallen from grace. DSM was disbanded after a lip-syncing scandal (very Milli Vanilli of them), and he’s now a disgraced music manager. Seeing Flula play a "failed" version of his formerly arrogant character adds a layer of empathy you wouldn’t expect from a show about a cappella. He’s still weird—he lives with his sister, DJ Das Boot—but he’s the emotional glue that makes the spin-off work.
- Role in PP2: Second-in-command of DSM, primary antagonist.
- Role in Bumper in Berlin: Talent manager, co-protagonist, disgraced icon.
- Signature move: Excessive beatboxing and staring intensely at Beca Mitchell.
The Flula Effect: Beyond the A Cappella
Why does Flula Borg in Pitch Perfect still matter? Because he broke the mold of what a "villain" looks like in a musical comedy. Usually, the rival is just mean. Pieter was mean, sure, but he was also genuinely hilarious and weirdly respectful of the "aca-craft."
Since his breakout in the franchise, Flula has popped up everywhere. The Suicide Squad, The Rookie, even Curb Your Enthusiasm. But for a specific generation of fans, he will always be the man who made us believe that a German man in a mesh top could be the most formidable singer on the planet.
If you’re looking to revisit his work, don't just stop at the movies. His behind-the-scenes vlogs from the set of Pitch Perfect 2 are legendary. He describes the audition process as wearing "strange fluorescent pajama pants and a small turtleneck." It’s that kind of authenticity—the refusal to be anything other than a "German Man of Adventure"—that makes him a standout.
How to Get Your Flula Fix Today
If you’ve got a craving for some Pieter Krämer energy, here is the roadmap.
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First, go back and watch the "Riff-Off" in Pitch Perfect 2. Pay attention to Flula's face when the Bellas start singing. He’s not just acting; he’s doing this weird, rhythmic nodding that feels like he’s trying to recalibrate his soul.
Next, head over to Peacock and find Bumper in Berlin. It’s a different vibe, but seeing Pieter and Bumper navigate the streets of Germany is a comedy duo we didn't know we needed. It’s less about the competition and more about two guys who are past their prime trying to find a second act.
Finally, check out his YouTube channel. It’s where it all started. You’ll see the DNA of Pieter in every video he’s ever made. The man is a master of the "confused foreigner" trope, but he does it with so much heart that it never feels like a caricature.
Start with the Pitch Perfect 2 soundtrack, specifically "Light Em Up" by Das Sound Machine. It’s a genuine banger. Then, move to the Bumper in Berlin episodes to see how he evolved the character from a two-dimensional rival into a three-dimensional friend.
The Pitch Perfect world is large, but without the chaotic German energy of Flula Borg, it would be a whole lot quieter—and definitely a lot less "dänce."
Next Steps for Fans
To truly appreciate the "Flula-verse," track down the Pitch Perfect 2 Blu-ray extras or digital "making-of" clips. There is a specific segment on the "German invasion" where the cast talks about Flula’s penchant for staying in character and confusing the crew with made-up German traditions. It’s the best way to see where the actor ends and Pieter Krämer begins.