Sisu: Road to Revenge Review: A Louder, Wilder Follow-Up to Sisu

This Sisu: Road to Revenge review starts with a warning: the film makes no attempt at realism, and it is better for it. Jalmari Helander returns as writer and director for a sequel that trades the gold-hunting setup of the original for a cross-country chase. It is short, loud and delightfully stubborn.

Sisu: Road to Revenge Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Sisu 2 plot is simple enough to fit on a postcard. Aatami Korpi, the man who refuses to die, goes back to the Karelian site where his family was killed during the war. He takes the wooden house apart, loads it on a truck and plans to rebuild it on safe ground in their memory.

The trouble is that the Soviets remember him. The commander who destroyed his family, Yeagor Dragunov, is sent after him, and a long, escalating pursuit begins. Every mile of the journey brings a new ambush, a new vehicle and a new reason for things to explode.

That clean premise is the film's best asset. You always know what Aatami wants, so the action never feels aimless.

What Works in Sisu: Road to Revenge

Helander understands that a good action sequel should raise the stakes without changing the formula too much. Here, the set pieces are bigger, stranger and more inventive, and many of them play like dark slapstick. Audiences will gasp, then laugh, then gasp again.

The film also has a surprisingly clear identity. Several viewers have compared it to a western set in Finland, and that fits: a lone, near-silent hero, a long trek and a villain who will not let go. The craft behind it is strong, with handsome sets and sweeping photography that give the carnage a storybook look.

At 89 minutes, it also moves fast. There is barely a pause between one stunt and the next.

A Revenge Tale With a Little Heart

Beneath the destruction sits a simple emotional idea: a man wants to take his family home. That thread keeps the violence from feeling empty. It will not make you cry, but it gives the chaos a purpose.

Sisu: Road to Revenge Cast and Performances

The Sisu: Road to Revenge cast is small but well chosen. Jorma Tommila returns as Aatami Korpi and says almost nothing, yet his weathered face and grim persistence carry the whole film. It is a physical, deadpan performance that earns both sympathy and laughs.

Stephen Lang plays Yeagor Dragunov, the commander who comes back to finish what he started. He brings a snarling intensity that gives the hero a worthy opponent. Richard Brake appears as a KGB officer, and Tommi Korpela, Kaspar Velberg and Pääru Oja fill out the supporting roles.

Where Sisu: Road to Revenge Stumbles

The film is built on familiar ground. If you saw the first movie, the structure here will feel recognisable: an invincible man, a pile of enemies and a series of increasingly outrageous escapes. Some viewers will find the formula comfortable, others will wish for more surprises.

The back story is also thin. A few early moments hint at real emotional depth, but the film quickly drops them in favour of spectacle. Critics who want character study in their war films will likely feel shortchanged.

The political tone is blunt, too. The Soviet villains are broad and one-dimensional, which suits the pulpy style but leaves little nuance. And the plot armour is thick, so tension depends on enjoying the absurdity rather than believing in it.

Is Sisu: Road to Revenge Worth Watching?

Yes, if you enjoy bold, over-the-top action and can accept that logic takes a back seat. It is a tight, confident sequel that delivers exactly what the title and premise promise. Audience reaction has been warm, with a TMDB score of 7.3/10 from 960 votes.

If you are new to the series, you can follow it without much trouble, though the first film adds some context to the villain's grudge. For readers who like the genre, our Action movie reviews collection has more in the same vein. You can also browse more War movie reviews for stories set in the same era. For full credits, see the Sisu: Road to Revenge page on IMDb.

The Sisu 2 release date was 21 October 2025, and the film runs 89 minutes with an R rating.

Who Will Enjoy Sisu: Road to Revenge

• Fans of the original Sisu who want more of the same, only louder.

• Viewers who like violent, darkly funny action with a western flavour.

• Anyone looking for a short, fast thrill ride that does not demand deep thought.