Sisu (2022): Review – A Wild, Bloody Ride of Justice
I dove into Sisu (2022), Jalmari Helander's Finnish war-action thriller that grabbed me with a jaw-dropping clip and kept me hooked with its brutal, over-the-top vengeance. Set during the Lapland War in late 1944, the film follows Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila), a legendary former Finnish commando turned gold prospector who uncovers a rich gold deposit—only to have a retreating Nazi platoon led by the ruthless SS officer Bruno Helldorf try to steal it . What follows is a relentless, blood-soaked chase through the scorched Finnish wilderness that's been called "a perfectly depraved night out" by critics . Helander drew inspiration from First Blood and real-life Finnish sniper Simo Häyhä, and the result is a lean 91-minute revenge fantasy where watching Nazis get what's coming to them never gets old . It's a wild ride—stunning visuals, inventive kills, and a nearly wordless performance from Tommila that's pure badassery. It goes a bit overboard, but I'm giving it a 6.5/10 for its bloody satisfaction. Let's break it down.
Sisu (2022) - One Man vs. a German Convoy
It all started with a short clip I stumbled across online: a lone man on horseback, calmly passing a German military convoy in the barren Lapland wilderness during World War II. Then, chaos erupts. The protagonist, Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila), a grizzled gold prospector, faces off against a squad of Nazi soldiers. He’s outnumbered, outgunned, and yet—unbelievably—he takes them on with ruthless precision. A knife here, a mine there, and suddenly, bodies are dropping. That clip was so intense I had to find the full movie, especially after catching another teaser that promised more of the same insanity.
What’s Sisu About?
Set in 1944 Finland, Sisu follows Aatami, a solitary prospector who’s struck gold in the desolate Lapland plains. When a retreating Nazi platoon, led by a brutal commander (Aksel Hennie), discovers his fortune, they try to take it—and him—out. Big mistake. Aatami, a near-mythical figure nicknamed “Koschei” (the immortal), unleashes hell to protect his gold and deliver justice. The film is a lean, mean action story about one man’s relentless fight against impossible odds, packed with Tarantino-esque violence and a fierce anti-Nazi spirit.
Stunning Visuals and Priceless Moments
The cinematography in Sisu is a standout. The sweeping shots of Lapland’s stark, endless plains are breathtaking, especially when Aatami is digging for gold under the vast sky. When he finally uncovers a fortune, his understated reaction—a mix of quiet triumph and steely resolve—is priceless. Director Jalmari Helander, along with the writers and cinematographers, nails these moments, making every frame feel alive and purposeful. The visuals alone make this movie worth watching.
Action That’s Uniquely Brutal
The second half of Sisu kicks into high gear when Aatami clashes with the Nazis. The action scenes are creative and relentless—think shootings, bombings, and gruesome kills that feel like they could’ve come from a Tarantino script. From Aatami using landmines as weapons to scaling cliffs under gunfire, the choreography is bold and unforgettable. One scene even has him surviving a plane crash! It’s a bloody, satisfying spectacle that delivers a clear message: this man is justice incarnate, making the Nazis pay for their crimes.
Where It Went Too Far
Here’s my one gripe: Sisu overdoes Aatami’s invincibility. The film establishes him as a legendary figure who “can’t be killed,” but it takes it to absurd extremes. He’s shot, bombed, drowned, hanged, blown up by a landmine, and crashes in a plane—yet he keeps going, barely slowed down. I get that the movie wants to show Aatami’s unstoppable drive to achieve his goal, but the exaggeration made it hard to suspend disbelief. It’s like he’s a superhero, not a man, and it pulled me out of the story at times.
Satisfying Justice for All
Despite that, Sisu delivers on emotional payoff. Watching Aatami dismantle the Nazis one by one is cathartic, especially knowing the horrors they represent. The film also weaves in a subplot about local women held captive by the Germans, who’ve suffered unspeakable abuses. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say they get their moment to take justice into their own hands. These scenes hit hard, making you cheer for their strength and resilience. It’s a reminder that Sisu isn’t just about one man—it’s about retribution for all who’ve suffered.
What’s Next for Sisu?
Fun fact: Sisu 2 is in the works, slated for release by the end of 2025! I’m curious to see where they take Aatami’s story, though I hope they dial back the invincibility just a tad. For now, Sisu gets a 6.5/10 from me. It’s a must-watch for fans of war movies, action flicks, or anyone who loves seeing justice served with a side of gore. The visuals, action, and emotional payoff make it a wild ride, even if it’s not perfect.
Your Turn: Suggest My Next Movie!
What did you think of Sisu? Did the action blow you away, or did Aatami’s immortality bug you too? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Also, I’m on the hunt for my next Movie Watch Diary pick. Got a movie you think I should watch? Suggest it below, and it might be featured in my next post on Bookimov: Books & Movies. See you in the next entry!
