Sisu (2022) is a Finnish action film written and directed by Jalmari Helander. Set during the closing days of World War II, the film blends historical fiction, extreme violence, and dark humor into a high-octane revenge tale. Sisu showcases a brutal and intense survival story as a lone prospector takes on a ruthless group of Nazis in a fight for his gold.
The film takes place in the Lapland wilderness of northern Finland in 1944, just as World War II is nearing its end. The protagonist, Aatami Korpi (played by Jorma Tommaila), is a solitary, hard-as-nails gold prospector. He has been living in the harsh conditions of the Finnish wilderness, surviving on his own. After a grueling search, he finally uncovers a vast gold nugget, a life-changing find that he plans to take to the nearest town to sell. His happiness is short-lived when a group of Nazi soldiers, led by the sadistic SS officer Colonel Helm (Jack Doolan), come across him while they are on the run from the advancing Soviet army.
The Nazis, desperate for gold and with no moral compass, attempt to steal Aatamiโs precious find. Aatami refuses to give up his gold, and what follows is a relentless battle of survival. The film turns into a cat-and-mouse game between Aatami and the Nazis, as he uses his military training, cunning, and near-superhuman resilience to fight back.
Aatami is no ordinary manโhis history as a soldier during the war is revealed through flashbacks, and itโs clear that he is a man of extraordinary skill and physical endurance. His ability to withstand pain and keep fighting is central to the story. What starts as a simple quest for gold quickly turns into a blood-soaked revenge story, as Aatami uses his skills and wits to outsmart and outfight the Nazi soldiers one by one.
Sisu received positive reviews for its action sequences, unique concept, and dark humor. Critics and audiences praised the film for its unapologetic violence, high-energy action, and the performance of Jorma Tommaila as the invincible hero. Some viewers compared it to other action films, like John Wick, due to its focus on a lone, unstoppable protagonist taking on overwhelming odds. The absurd level of violence and Aatamiโs almost legendary toughness made it a thrilling, if sometimes over-the-top, experience.