Cinematic Review
In a war‑scarred wilderness where silence is survival and vengeance the only language, “Sisu: Road to Revenge” crashes through its modest 88‑minute runtime with the ferocious intensity of a man who cannot be killed and refuses to be forgotten. Director Jalmari Helander straps us into the driver’s seat of an unyielding pursuit — across snow‑blasted forests and frozen borderlands — where the past isn’t past and every plank of wood carries grief, memory and loathing.
“Bodies hurl, cars explode, and you think that the movie may have played its best action cards early. And then it does it again.”
Review (Spoiler‑Free)
After the lean, vicious original (2022’s Sisu), Helander returns with a sophomore surge that refuses to merely replicate – it amplifies. The legendary Finnish war hero Jorma Tommila again takes on the impossible as Aatami Korpi, now travelling with the shocking cargo of his pulverised home – his way of rebuilding a lost family and lost peace. When the cruel Red Army commander Stephen Lang’s Igor Draganov arrives to finish what was started, the film kicks into gear with almost absurdist momentum.
At a brisk 88‑to‑89 minutes, depending on source, the runtime leaves no room for superfluous exposition — the film’s rhythm is built of breathless chase sequences, inventive stunts and a ruthless escalation of revenge. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} The distributor, credited as Screen Gems (via Sony Pictures Releasing), ensures a wide U.S./UK release on 21 November 2025.
Visually, the film offers Nordic grandeur in microcosm — snow‑scoured forests, icy truck chases laden with wood beams, and hulking Soviet vehicles that feel cartoonishly monstrous in the rear‑view mirror. The action itself is meticulously staged, leaning into the absurd with joy: Helander treats destruction like choreography, each moment a grim dance of motion, metal and muscle.
Yet there’s emotional texture beneath the explosions. Korpi’s silence speaks volumes: the weight of grief, the longing for home, the steel‑sharp resolve of a man with nothing left to lose. These quieter moments anchor the carnage and prevent the film from descending into mere spectacle.
That said, the tone is wildly uneven: some may find the violence cartoon‑like and the stakes so mythic that consequence dissolves. The very attribute that makes the film thrilling — its full‑throttle momentum — also means you rarely stop to question logistics. As one reviewer noted: “logic is long since in the rear view mirror.”
Performances
- Jorma Tommila (Aatami Korpi): A taciturn force — his performance relies on physicality and presence rather than dialogue, and it anchors the film.
- Stephen Lang (Igor Draganov): A monstrous embodiment of vengeance and militarised cruelty; his malevolent energy gives the hero someone worthy of his fury.
- Richard Brake (Supporting Role): Though less central, his presence bolsters the film’s villainous backbone — Helander knows to surround his hero with equal threat.
Direction & Technical
Helander and cinematographer Mika Orasmaa combine in a frenzy of tracking shots, icy landscapes and practical effects. The result feels rough‑edged in the best sense, with is‑you‑will‑feel‑it impacts, not CGI gloss. Editing keeps the pace unrelenting; the film rarely breathes, and that intensity becomes its signature.
Score & Sound
The sound design reigns in favor of punch, engine roar and bone‑shatter. Music often recedes to allow the punctuation of action to dominate, which is the right choice for a film of this kind.
Cinematography & Design
The production design conveys a world where war is half memory, half machine. Korpi’s dismantled home becomes a metaphorical payload; Soviet trucks and planes loom like predators in a frozen ecosystem. The film’s visuals reflect obsession more than realism, and that suits its mythic ambitions.
Verdict Summary Box
| Category | Score (out of 10) |
| Performances | 8.0 |
| Direction | 8.5 |
| Score | 7.0 |
| Cinematography | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.9 |
Final Thoughts
“Sisu: Road to Revenge” is not for the faint‑hearted or those looking for nuance over narrative. What it offers is an adrenaline‑blood‑washed sprint through vengeance, identity and survival. With its blistering tempo, brutal inventiveness and visual elan, the film more than justifies its existence — it stands as one of the more thrilling action outings of the year. If you’re in the mood to strap in, hold tight and unleash the fury, this Finnish juggernaut delivers.