Sisu (2022)

“Sisu” is the kind of lean, ferocious action film that reminds you why cinema was invented to begin with: to watch a near-mythic force of will stride through hell and refuse to stay down. Set against the stark, windswept beauty of Lapland, it plays like a gritty grindhouse fable—minimal talk, maximum momentum—where the storytelling is etched in mud, metal, and pure, stubborn survival. Jalmari Helander stages set pieces with old-school clarity and wicked invention, delivering a parade of brutally satisfying, wince-then-cheer moments that feel earned rather than random. It’s not for the squeamish or anyone allergic to gleefully gory excess, but if you want a tight, blood-soaked thrill ride with a primal pulse and a wicked sense of escalation, “Sisu” hits like a hammer.

“Sisu” is trying to be a lean, mythic WWII revenge romp—more pulpy campfire legend than grounded war drama—and when it clicks, it delivers crunchy, no-nonsense action with a striking Lapland backdrop. The catch is that it’s deliberately thin on character depth and realism, so if you need emotional stakes, moral complexity, or historically textured storytelling, it can feel shallow and a bit naive. The pacing also lurches between tense build-up and repetitive escalation, which may leave you feeling like you’re watching variations on the same beat rather than a story that grows. If you’re in the mood for a brutal, stylized endurance fantasy with a near-invincible lead, you’ll likely have fun; if you want “reward” beyond vibes and violence, this one may leave you cold.