In a 2023 interview, filmmaker Jalmari Helander expressed interest in directing a sequel to Sisu if it were a hit. Thankfully, the film was a success, grossing $14.3 million against a €6 million budget and earning critical acclaim. Later that year, the film’s star, Jorma Tommila, said he wanted to return as the protagonist. Helander confirmed that a sequel was in development, with a final budget of roughly €11 million ($12.2 million). Filming began in early 2024 in and around Finland and Estonia, primarily in Rapla and Lääne Counties. While Lionsgate was the domestic distributor for the first film, Sony Pictures’ Screen Gems replaced them in early 2025. The film premiered at Fantastic Fest that September, followed by a special screening in Helsinki the following month. Roughly two years after its predecessor, Sisu: Road to Revenge opened in US theaters in November 2025.
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Synopsis
After WWII, Finland ceded Karelia to the Soviet Union, forcing many Finnish citizens to leave their homes. Among them is ex-commando Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila), who tears down his house to move it further inward. Korpi gained a reputation for single-handedly killing 300 Soviet soldiers after his family’s execution during the Winter War. Upon hearing that Korpi is on USSR soil, the government enlists officer Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang) to take him down. However, no matter how many men Draganov sends after him, Korpi brutally massacres them one by one. We soon learn that Draganov was responsible for the death of Korpi’s family, making this more personal. Even after being run off the road and surviving a tank explosion, Korpi keeps getting back up and won’t stop. Before, he was only trying to rebuild his life, but now, Korpi’s on the road to revenge.
Review
Going through my review catalog, I’m shocked that I never reviewed Sisu; suffice it to say, I loved it. Sisu was one of the most raw, visceral, over-the-top, and entertaining action movies I’d seen in a while. Thankfully, the sequel is just as good as the original, even if it loses some of its freshness. While not quite as gruesome as the original, Sisu: Road to Revenge still delivers on the over-the-top violence. Jalmari Helander knows what the audience wants and gives us precisely that: nonstop action and tons of viscera. What helps is that this is a more personal film since it deals with the lead’s past. Not only is he moving his house piece by piece, but he’s targeted for what he did to the Soviets. The movie gives us just enough backstory without diminishing the protagonist’s coolness factor.
Speaking of, Jorma Tommila once again delivers as the silent but tough commando-turned-farmer, Aatami Korpi. He’s able to communicate his emotions through just his facial expressions and body language, without saying a word. You can sense the raw anger in his eyes, and watching him struggle to get back up is satisfying. Stephen Lang is fantastic as the villainous Igo Draganov, though it feels like anyone could’ve played the part. While it’s great to see Stephen Lang in the role, any actor could’ve played it without anything changing. Still, seeing Lang at odds with Tommila is fantastic, and it’s great whenever Tommila gets one over on him. Character actor Richard Brake, from Mandy and Barbarian, also appears as the KGB officer who sends Draganov. Though he has limited screentime, he makes the most of his scenes every time.
Like the first film, this one revels in the excess: tons of blood, cartoonish violence, and over-the-top action. The plot, such as it is, is very threadbare, but a movie like this doesn’t need an intricate story. Mika Orasmaa’s cinematography is phenomenal, making the most of the Estonian locations and capturing vivid panoramic views. It also helps that they manage to capture the action on screen without shaking the camera throughout. Several scenes feel like a classic Western, highlighted by the minimalist score by Juri Seppa and Tuomas Wainola. Admittedly, if you’re looking for a powerful message, an intricate plot, and deep characterization, you’ll be disappointed. However, if you like ridiculous action, simple but compelling stories, and larger-than-life characters, this is for you. Overall, Sisu: Road to Revenge manages to maintain what worked in the original and then some.
Buy Sisu: Road to Revenge from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4r8vG5X.
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Where to watch Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025)
