If you’re in the mood for more persistent rational determination in the face of much adversity, then you are in luck, for our driven protagonist is back for his second near impossible mission in writer/director Jalmari Helander’s Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025).
Following a somewhat similar path to its predecessor, this Finnish, over the top action packed adventure once again follows the rather unlucky Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) and his trusted dog. With the last adventure finding numerous pesky Nazis in his way, this time World War II has come to an end and it finds the man returning to his home that is now located in territory ceded to the Soviet Union as part of the peace treaty.
Looking to dismantle it and move it onto Finnish land using his slow monster truck-like military vehicle (a Kraz-214), it is quite clear that each and every wooden piece holds many an important memory for the man – who brutally lost his entire family during the tumultuous period. Though, as soon as he enters Soviet land, the border guards inform the higher ups, including the KGB Agent (Richard Brake – Barbarian), that he is there. . . for of course our protagonist did a number on their troops during the Winter War of 1939-1940.
Releasing the psychopathic man who murdered his family from his Siberian punishment, Yeagor Dragunov (Stephen Lang – Tombstone; Don’t Breathe), promising him freedom and riches if he can take down the now legendary, or perhaps in their words ‘infamous’ man, this is soon to get rather personal.
Opening with a segment that comes across as a passionate tribute to Mad Max: Fury Road’s own dangerous journey, Aatami must slowly make his way back to the border crossing as numerous baddies chase him by way of jeep, motorcycle, and plane. The bombastic beginning of a most harrowing journey, it could share its title with the classic comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles, as every mode of transportation (and even more – think tank), is used prominently.
Seemingly impossible for our hunted protagonist, will Aatami somehow continue to build his almost myth-like legacy, avenging his family, and completing the perilous journey to its utter end? Or could Dragunov be able to notch another check on his dreaded kill-list and succeed for the Soviets?
Once again building off of the run of popular action-packed modern day ventures, Aatami furthers his almost John Wick style mythos in this sequel. Combining epic practical effects with striking CGI, according to film maker Helander, this was also influenced by Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Buster Keaton as he renovated his apartment. . . with some thought, all three make sense, as they are not only over the top fun action driven features, but our protagonist literally doesn’t speak a single word throughout – making him a perfect tribute to Keaton’s aptly nicknamed ‘The Great Stoneface’.
Bloody, silly, and creatively fun, Sisu: Road to Revenge is a worthy extension of the rather unexpected franchise. Smartly matching Tommila’s dynamically weary visage with a new worthy adversary, Lang brings his own villainous gusto for a truly worthy tête-à-tête. Stylized with wild set pieces and exaggerated gore induced Looney Tunes style gusto, it can even bring a chuckle along with all of the death and carnage. Plus, the viewer has to start wondering if the poor man will ever find the peace and quiet he needs to start finding some solace. Lastly, it is also worth highlighting the score composed by Juri Seppä and Tuomas Wäinölä (who also did the previous feature) – for it has a mesmeric ode to the spaghetti westerns of old (think Ennio Morricone’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) and drives the action wonderfully. So, Finnish this most worthy sequel, it’s a quality build.