Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: SISU - ROAD TO REVENGE [Fantastic Fest 2025 - Austin, Texas]

After the success of "Sisu", one would think it would be difficult to recreate in certain ways the possibilities accomplished in the first one without losing its impact. While "Sisu" deserves its place among the pantheon considering how it came out from nowhere, the sequel "Sisu: Road To Revenge" understands the contemplation needed to make this one work and does deliver. In the first one, it was revenge against the Nazis who had been responsible for the killing of his family. Our reluctant hero took appropriate action. The second one starts after World War II when the Finnish border lines have been withdrawn, Korpi (Jorma Tommila), the former Finnish commander turned family man from the first film, finds his old house now on the other side of the border in Soviet territory. Before it was revenge, but now he wants to be left alone. There is a slight broach of details because in this one he is up against Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang) who was involved in the killing of his family but that in a way doesn't bridge with what was happening in the first one and his whole motivation. "Road To Revenge" puts blame with Dragonov. Korpi doesn't know this truth on the inset and tries to leave well enough alone. He dismantles his old house numbering each beam log by log, his loyal dog in tow. Of course in the Soviet Army as an extended perception by the Nazi party, they have heard of the myth of Korpi and want to nip it in the bud to dissuade dissension. Like the first one, it starts off small and keeps building. Writer/Director Jalmari Helander who also did the first one helms the second one as well. Sony had wanted him to make another one when the first one hit but he said during the Q&A that he needed to find the right angle. He found it in the logs of the house which one would think almost functions as bones. It is a very good story concept because no matter what Korpi does or how he is attacked, it is about bringing those logs, those last connections to his family, back to his new land. Lang plays a very satisfying villain but the backstory for him is not there though it does fill in as the story moves along. His intent is more peripheral in relation to the first film but he is quite effective. The issue on the first picture, if there was any was ADR and the dub. Because there are more English speaking actors this time and the film itself is mostly silent anyway (including Tomilla) who gleefully returns for the seconds, it works and there is no issue at all on that point. Having more money doesn't help in this instance

What works well also is the third act changeover. The climax of the 2nd act was also pretty exceptional involving planes and then a tank (the stunt Helander dreams up might test believability but that doesn't matter), it is awesome...and yet still practical. Sisu is not supposed to be reality...it is supposed to be mythic but with a sense of the practical. When the third act arrives involving a train, one could not help but think of the Indian action film "Kill" from Fantastic Fest two years ago. Korpi goes through a lot but there are certain rules that he obeys including specific ones of engagement and of progression according to the antagonists. Lang's Dragonov makes this very clear during a first attack when he says "stay still" to his associate. It is almost like he sees Korpi as a T-Rex, deadly but with certain tells. While the final act is reminiscent of "Kill", "Road's" kills are brutal but not as gory as that former film...and they also carry some comedy. There is also a homage to the first "Mission Impossible" up until the very apex of the climax. Richard Brake, who also turned up with "The Strangers Chapter Two" as well at Fantastic Fest plays a more reserved but always memorable role of a general who gives Dragonov (himself incarcerated at the beginning of the film in Siberia) his road to redemption. The key is that you feel for Korpi here. He is maligned no matter who much destruction he levels as retribution. Like Odysseus, he just wants to return home but seems to know there will always be a fight. The coda of the film works very well because it shows Korpi's humanity and his resilience without one ever doubting his resolve. He suffers here like in the first one but the first one was more gut wrenching in that way. That said, there is a shot of him coming out of the smoke like a battered superhero doing a very simple gesture..and it sells it. Helander understands his character as does Tommilla and leans a little more into the empathy of the character without going too overboard. "Sisu: Road To Revenge" is an apt and effective sequel that both knows its audience, builds on its predecessor but never forgets where its heart is. A-

By Tim Wassberg