2023’s Sisu, written and directed by Jalmari Helander, is a Finnish word that does not translate easily to the English language, perhaps best explained as a sort of persistent rational determination in the face of much adversity. . . the perfect explanation for this Finnish/American co-production.
Thriving in a very old reverse-hybrid form of Nazisploitation combined with classic western motifs and more than a splash of modern John Wick flair, Sisu follows Aatami (Jorma Tommila), a grizzled gold miner in the decimated Finnish Lapland nearing the end of World War II. Finally striking it rich, he transports it back to civilization with his loyal dog at his side.
Along the way, he is met by a retreating group of SS officers led by the ruthless Bruno (Aksel Hennie – Headhunters), who just so happens to choose the wrong person to bully. Soon, the almost folkloric tales start to spread – mostly from the unfortunate Finnish women who have been gathered by the SS for their own sadistic pleasure. A former military man who, at the beginning of the war, was sent out all by himself as his own unit, he would pick apart the Soviets one at a time. . . leaving a wake of death behind. Supposedly unable to die, he is arguably a better definition of sisu than the one I provided above.
With gold in his hands, you can see why the SS would so desperately want to pick what seems to be a lopsided fight. Looking at a return that might include war crimes, this could be their ticket out. . . an escape from Germany with new identities and futures.
Simple in its execution, Sisu is the type of exploitation action you just want to sit back and enjoy. Like John Wick, its violent pleasure comes from a group of goons making the mistake of picking a fight with the wrong guy, only for the tables to turn on them in short order. In this case, its old school setting provides a very different landscape than the more modern Keanu Reeves’ vehicle, with a pick axe, land mines, Luger pistols, and other wartime weaponry in no short supply – let your imagination run wild as to all of the Nazi killing possibilities. . . and wait till you see what he can do with a river setting.
An over-the-top, gory action flick that follows the John Wick storyline, but in a spaghetti western style World War II setting, Sisu is pulpish, gonzo fun. Not for those who dislike violence on the silver screen, Helander relishes in showing Aatami dismantle Bruno and his men, often leaving nothing to the imagination. It even has a few moments of humour. So, no matter what anyone says, show some Sisu and give this one a view.
This film is in English and Finnish, with English subtitles