SISU: Road to Revenge - The Ultimate Guide to 2025's Most Explosive Action Sequel

The Return of "The Man Who Refuses to Die" SISU: Road to Revenge (Finnish: Sisu 2; stylized as SI2U) is a 2025 war action film written and directed by Jalmari Helander, serving as the highly anticipated sequel to Sisu (2022). After the original film's surprise success and cult following, director Jalmari Helander has delivered what critics are calling an even better, more ambitious action spectacle. The film hit US theaters as a limited release on Friday, November 21, 2025, distributed by Screen Gems through Sony Pictures Releasing. For action fans who loved the first film's ultra-violent, dialogue-free approach to storytelling, Road to Revenge promises to exceed all expectations. The Story: Revenge Against the Red Army The film follows Aatami Korpi as he returns to the house where his family was brutally murdered during the war. "The man who refuses to die" dismantles the house, loads it on a truck, and is determined to rebuild it somewhere safe in their honor. This deeply personal mission becomes a fight for survival when his past catches up with him. When the Red Army commander who killed his family (Stephen Lang from Don't Breathe) comes back hellbent on finishing the job, a relentless, eye-popping cross-country chase ensues—a fight to the death, full of clever, unbelievable action set pieces. The stakes are personal, the action is relentless, and the revenge is sweet. From Concept to Screen: The Making of Road to Revenge The Genesis of the Sequel In an interview with the Finnish News Agency in March 2023, Helander expressed interest in a sequel to Sisu if the film proved successful at the American box office, stating "I have an idea of what would happen next...Maybe somebody needs [Aatami Korpi's] skills again but let's see". The concept crystallized in an unexpected place. Helander has said that the idea for the sequel's plot came about while he was renovating his apartment—a fitting origin story for a film about dismantling and rebuilding. Production Details In March 2024, filming of the sequel was announced to begin in late summer, with the film premiering in less than two years. Filming was completed in late 2024. The production showcased impressive efficiency, moving from concept to completion in record time. Unlike the previous film, which was set in Lapland, filming took place in Estonia. This location change provided fresh landscapes for the cross-country chase sequences that define the film. The budget reflected serious ambition. The Finnish Film Foundation initially granted financial support of €50,000, which later increased to €1 million, with the total budget announced at around €11 million, making it one of the most expensive Finnish films. Creative Influences According to director Jalmari Helander, the film's intended tone and action-oriented focus were influenced by Indiana Jones, James Bond, and also the films by Buster Keaton. This unique combination of inspirations—blending Spielberg's adventure spectacle, Bond's style, and Keaton's physical comedy genius—creates something truly distinctive. The Cast: New Faces Join the Fight Jorma Tommila Returns as Aatami Korpi Jorma Tommila reprises his role as Aatami Korpi, the virtually silent protagonist whose physical performance speaks volumes. Tommila has stated that the role was physically demanding for his age, but he was able to endure it by applying the lessons he had learned from theatre director Jouko Turkka (1942–2016). Critics have praised Tommila's commitment. One reviewer noted: "Jorma Tommila is just fantastic as the main lead: not a single word is said by him throughout the movie but his performance is one of the best I have ever seen". Stephen Lang as the Villain Stephen Lang joins the cast as Igor Draganov, the Red Army commander responsible for Aatami's family tragedy. Lang, known for his intense performances in films like Don't Breathe and Avatar, brings gravitas and menace to the role. Critics note "The villain, way more menacing" compared to the first film. Richard Brake Rounds Out the Cast Richard Brake also joins the cast. The British actor, known for his roles in 3 from Hell and various horror projects, adds another layer of talent to the ensemble. Critical Reception: Better Than the Original? The Verdict is In SISU: Road to Revenge premiered at the Fantastic Fest on September 21, 2025, and like its predecessor, the film has received a positive reception from critics. The praise has been emphatic: "'Road to Revenge' reimagines everything that worked about 'Sisu,' but it does what an action sequel should do and builds on it instead of just repeating the same barely-controlled chaos. This movie rules". "Much of Road to Revenge plays like a spectacularly gory silent film, with Aatami taking out scores of Red Army soldiers in action scenes that are as inventive as they are incredibly funny". What Makes It Better Critics consistently highlight several improvements over the original: "Helander channels George Miller in his raucous Mad Max-like road thriller that gives a big, bloody middle finger to reality in favor of crowd-pleasing action carnage". Audience reviews echo the sentiment: "It blew the first one outta the water on every front. The action, way better. The villain, way more menacing. This movie actually was emotional and made me feel things, especially the end. Effects we're also great". The Action Sequences The film's action has earned particular acclaim. One enthusiast declared: "This is easily the best action flick Finland has made but I think it might be my favorite ever. The action is that good, with some of the most creative kills I've seen". Another critic added: "This is a bigger, faster, and more entertaining sequel in every way". The Silent Film Approach One of SISU's most distinctive features is its minimal dialogue approach, and Road to Revenge doubles down on this technique. As one reviewer explains: "This is a very Finnish take on the nostalgic action movie genre. Good action movies with a one-man army are absolutely silly but when they are good - like Sisu and Sisu2, they are convincing in their own reality". The largely dialogue-free screenplay works to the film's advantage. "The largely dialogue-less screenplay benefits from zero zingers and relies on the emotive countenance and eyes. Grunts, groans and growls aside of course". This approach allows the film to function as pure visual storytelling, with Tommila's physical performance conveying everything audiences need to understand about Aatami's motivations, pain, and determination. The Emotional Core While praised primarily for its action, Road to Revenge also delivers unexpected emotional depth. One viewer shared: "This movie actually was emotional and made me feel things, especially the end". The film successfully balances extreme violence with genuine heart, grounding the spectacle in Aatami's very personal quest to honor his murdered family by rebuilding their home. The Political Controversy Not everyone celebrated the film's release. In October 2025, a diplomatic note was sent from the Russian Embassy on Tehtaankatu in Helsinki, citing "the film's revengeful spirit, both in the poster that had already been seen and the anti-Russian nature of the work itself, which is aimed at international distribution". The note suggests that the anti-Nazi sentiment of the first film still receives approval, but finds it deeply regrettable that the character "has now turned his weapons against the Eastern peace power". This controversy, if anything, has only increased interest in the film among international audiences. What Action Fans Can Expect The Violence and Gore Road to Revenge doesn't pull punches when it comes to violence. One critic describes it as "a high-fructose sugar rush of dispatching various Russian bad guys". However, the violence serves the story and genre. "Extreme but not psychologically serious violence of this film honors the genre of action films from the 80's and 90's. And many of us grew with those films which makes this feel nostalgic; you feel safe on your seats even though everything is covered with blood unless it is exploding into million pieces". The Pacing The film clocks in at a brisk 1 hour and 28 minutes with an R rating, ensuring there's no fat on the narrative. As one reviewer notes: "You'll enjoy the passing of each chapter, just so long as you don't think too much about logistics or motivations". Creative Action Set Pieces The film delivers inventive kills and action sequences that push beyond typical genre conventions. The cross-country chase structure allows Helander to showcase varied environments and increasingly elaborate confrontations. Why SISU: Road to Revenge Matters A Return to Pure Action Cinema In an era of CGI-heavy blockbusters and franchise fatigue, SISU: Road to Revenge represents something refreshingly straightforward: visceral, physical action cinema with practical effects and real stunts. "I guess that I just love actors who are extremely physical and raw in a subtle and precise way", one fan explains, highlighting what makes Tommila's performance—and the film—special. International Recognition for Finnish Cinema The SISU franchise has put Finnish action cinema on the global map. The success of both films demonstrates that compelling action storytelling transcends language barriers and cultural boundaries. The 80s/90s Action Revival The film "honors the genre of action films from the 80's and 90's", tapping into nostalgia for an era when action movies prioritized practical effects, physical performances, and straightforward storytelling over complex universe-building. How to Watch SISU: Road to Revenge As a limited theatrical release, SISU: Road to Revenge will only be shown in select movie theaters across major markets. Potential viewers should check Fandango and Atom Tickets to see if the film is playing in their area. Sometimes, limited theatrical releases are simultaneously released to buy or rent on video on demand services like Prime Video and Apple TV, so digital options may become available alongside or shortly after the theatrical run. The Future of the Franchise Helander has not directly said whether he intends to direct a third Sisu film, because he considers Road to Revenge as a good conclusion to the story, although he does not completely rule out the possibility of a sequel. Given the positive reception and the story's open-ended nature, fans remain hopeful that "the man who refuses to die" will return for another round. Final Verdict SISU: Road to Revenge delivers exactly what action fans crave: relentless pacing, creative violence, minimal dialogue, and a protagonist you can't help but root for. It improves upon its predecessor in nearly every way while maintaining the distinctive voice that made the original a cult classic. As one satisfied viewer summarizes: "This is a good use of your movie viewing capital as it delivers a well-paced tale of loss, struggle, and sweet, sweet - and yes, very bloody (though not overly gruesome) - revenge". For fans of action cinema, Finnish filmmaking, or anyone who appreciates a well-executed revenge thriller, SISU: Road to Revenge is essential viewing. It's proof that sometimes the simplest stories—when executed with skill, passion, and creativity—can be the most satisfying.