THE STORY – A man returns to dismantle his family’s house, where they were murdered in war, to rebuild it elsewhere. When the killer, a Red Army commander, tracks him down, a brutal cross-country pursuit begins.
THE CAST – Jorma Tommila, Stephen Lang & Richard Brake
THE TEAM – Jalmari Helander (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 89 Minutes
There is something undeniably respectable about Jalmari Helander’s “Sisu.” Beneath its repetitive nature, it remains an effortlessly entertaining experience. Its simple structure exists mainly to guide us toward the real draw: watching a bearded Finnish one-man army brutally dispatch Nazis in ways that are not only gleefully over the top but deeply satisfying. “Sisu” never aims to compete with modern action juggernauts like “John Wick,” nor does it try to mimic the formula of the David Leitch films dominating theaters today. Instead, it carves out its own lane as pulpy, tongue-in-cheek action schlock, the kind of hidden gem you might stumble upon in the digital library of a streamer like Tubi. Helander knows exactly what these films are, and he refuses to change course. This new entry is bloodier, more ridiculous, and, to my surprise, shockingly sentimental. “Sisu: Road to Revenge” may be full of laughably implausible beats, but it still hits every target it aims for, and that is why we keep coming back.
“Road to Revenge,” or as some critics like myself call it, “Mad Max: Finnish Road,” sees Helander pushing the throttle to eleven. Jorma Tommila returns as Aatami Korpi, now journeying back home as the world sits just one year removed from the end of World War II. The USSR has tightened its occupation, now stretching into Karelia. All Aatami wants is to salvage what remains of his home and move on with his life. Under Helander, that dream is doomed from the start. Aatami’s humble road trip, equipped only with the wooden beams of his cabin and his poodle, quickly becomes the target of a manhunt led by Stephen Lang’s vengeful Igor Dragoniv. Helander’s shift from Nazis to Soviets feels like a natural transition for this series, and it is one of many elements that give “Road to Revenge” the flavor of an ’80s action flick in the best possible way. It also gives Aatami his first true adversary in Igor, the man largely responsible for shaping him into the relentless killer he is.
As expected, the film delivers an endless parade of Soviet soldiers meeting their demise at the hands of Aatami, driven by little more than the indomitable human spirit and a pain tolerance that borders on supernatural. At a certain point, “Road to Revenge” transforms into a live-action Saturday morning cartoon, trading any sense of realism for pure excess. Planes skid off trucks, tanks flip through the air, and Aatami finds himself one step shy of Dr. Strangelove-style bomb-propelled flight. These moments scratch a very specific itch for the audience, though the second go-around on this carnage carousel introduces a familiarity that softens some of the fun, especially as the film’s limitations become more apparent.
Much of “Road to Revenge” highlights how barebones the film really is, coasting primarily on the pleasure of its kills. Igor, for instance, is an extremely one-dimensional villain, more a symbol of Aatami’s rage than a fully realized character. Lang, sporting a questionable Russian accent, turns in a performance that feels like an entertaining warm-up for his return in “Avatar: Fire and Ash” later this year rather than something substantial. But honestly, is anyone expecting him to be anything other than a physically imposing foil to Tommila? Watching the two clash is undeniably fun, aided by Tommila’s continued commitment to physical performance. Helander also surprises by weaving unexpected emotional depth into Aatami, particularly in the film’s closing moments. Tommila brings a surprising streak of slapstick energy to the role as well, especially in the final act.
The “Metal Gear Solid” style stealth sequence, in which Helander channels the chaotic spirit of Robert Rodriguez, elevates the entire film from passable sequel to genuinely worthwhile follow-up. “Road to Revenge” may slip under the radar for many action fans, but Helander’s decision to close this chapter of his battered protagonist’s life in such a resonant way feels noteworthy. The question of whether we need a third film or another saga of bloodshed for Aatami is easy to answer. We do not. If this is where the story ends, it feels fitting that one of Finland’s deadliest fictional figures receives the resolution he deserves.
