SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE

(director/writer: Jalmari Helander; cinematographer: Mika Orasmaa; editor: Juho Virolainan; music: Juri Seppa, Tuomas Wainoia; cast: Jorma Tommila (Aatami Korpi), Stephan Lang (Igor Dragonov), Richard Brake (KGB officer), Kaspar Velberg (Pilot), Sandy E. Scott (Soviet Soldier); Runtime: 89; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Mike Goodridge, Petri Jokirania; Screen Gems; 2025-UK/USA/Finland-in Finnish & English with English subtitles)

“A funny, action-packed, feel-good escapist flick.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

The B-film sequel to the action thriller Sisu (2022) is delightfully directed and written by Finnish filmmaker and writer Jalmari Helander (“Rare Exports”/”Big Game”). In a more playful, energetic and inventive way than in his previous film, Helander follows the outlandish formula of George Miller’s comical action-packed thriller Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).

The legendary taciturn ex-Finnish Army commando hero Aatami (Jorma Tommila), who during the war can’t be killed by the Nazis after many attempts on his life, takes apart his family house beam by beam after the war to move it by truck to his Finnish homeland. When the ruthless KGB officer (Richard Brake) finds him on Russian soil, he calls on the Red Army death squad leader Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang), the monster who killed Aatami’s wife and child, to take out Aatami by any means possible.

Chapters with title cards are used to tell its story that takes place in 1946 during the WW2 postwar period, as Aatami goes after his Russian foes when returning to the Soviet-occupied Finnish town of Karelia–even bringing down a jet fighter by smashing it with his house planks.

The cartoonish war film appeals to an American and Ukrainian audience as it shows Russians being mowed down.

Don’t expect this popcorn film to make sense, because it doesn’t. However, it’s a funny, action-packed, feel-good film, offering escapist entertainment for a mainstream audience.

REVIEWED ON 11/25/2025  GRADE: B-
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