Film Review – Sisu: Path to Retribution (2025)

      **Sisu: Road to Revenge, 2025.**

      Written and Directed by Jalmari Helander.

      Starring Jorma Tommila, Richard Brake, and Stephen Lang.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      A man sets out to tear down the house where his family was murdered during the war, intending to rebuild it elsewhere. However, when the killer, a Red Army commander, finds him, a ruthless pursuit across the country ensues.

      At the start of Sisu: Road to Revenge, disgraced Soviet Officer Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang) cautions his army of nondescript henchmen that the title character, former Finnish Commander Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila), is a cunning [expletive]. The film mirrors this sentiment. For returning writer/director Jalmari Helander, it serves as both a declaration about the gloriously brutal and occasionally humorous violence presented, and an entry point for anyone unfamiliar with the prior installment in the series, which, despite being a well-crafted spectacle that knows its intent, struggled to gain an audience under Lionsgate's distribution—though it is uncertain whether its new distributor, Screen Gems (a Sony subsidiary), will fare any better.

      The film opens with the same quote defining the Finnish concept of Sisu, conveying that this grizzled, mute, and surprisingly calm lone wolf, when not being pursued, can endure severe beatings and torture, akin to a pro wrestler thrown onto thumbtacks and through flaming tables, but remains indefatigable in battle, activating his fighting spirit. As with the first film, the excess and absurdity may become overwhelming at times; however, the originality of the action and the clarity in the framing (cinematographer Mika Orasmaa effectively balances close-ups of Aatami in the truck with wide shots capturing the chase) contribute to a positive overall experience. The film successfully conjures tension and urgency, even with a protagonist who seems superhuman.

      The plot, meanwhile, is straightforward: with parts of Finland under Soviet control, Aatami crosses the border to demolish his ancestral home and load the materials onto his truck-like war vehicle, which mows down anything in its way, truly bringing his past along as he seeks a fresh start in the remnants of Finland. Portrayed as a bogeyman for having killed several Nazis in the original film, the Soviets have released Igor from prison to complete the task of eliminating Aatami, whose family was murdered, thus giving rise to a living legend akin to an elderly John Wick (who also brings his dog on the treacherous journey). The narrative closely resembles the structure of Mad Max: Fury Road.

      Sometimes, a concept is so compelling that it almost ensures success in its execution. Jalmari Helander delivers ultra-violent, revenge-fueled action without holding back, seamlessly transitioning from one chaotic scene to the next, frequently altering the nature of the threats against Aatami. Each chapter captures different scenarios, including one featuring enemies on motorcycles and another depicting henchmen dropping bombs from planes. The climax unfolds in exuberant chaos both inside and atop a moving train.

      It would also be unjust to call the film mindless, as Jorma Tommila’s performance, laden with internalized pain and a longing for peace and solitude, conveys rich, nuanced emotions that tell profound stories. The idea of being displaced from one’s homeland while attempting to carry parts of a generational home now situated in enemy territory evokes reflections on family history, what we leave behind, and the tenacity to cling to what has been taken.

      For a film that consists of about 75 minutes of creatively orchestrated violence against generic henchmen, delivering both shocking and humorous moments, the prologue and epilogue (each approximately three minutes long) manage to evoke moderate emotion—an impressive feat given the film's priorities. This road to revenge is paved with a series of elaborate kills and immensely entertaining destruction.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★**

      Robert Kojder