Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stoic hero returns for more wild action, bloody violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Sisu: Road to Revenge
What's the Story?
In SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE, it's 1946, and many Finnish citizens have been displaced by the invading Soviet Union. Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) makes a dangerous trip back to his old home, where he dismantles his former house, stacks the wood in his truck, and prepares to make the return trip. Unfortunately, a KGB officer (Richard Brake) learns of Korpi's presence in Soviet territory and taps Draganov (Stephen Lang), a former soldier and cold-blooded killer, to handle him. Draganov is somewhat responsible for Korpi's status as a legend, since he killed Korpi's family and sent him on his original revenge spree. The Soviets attack Korpi with trucks, motorcycles, and planes, but he's resilient. When they go too far, Korpi turns around to confront his attackers.
Is It Any Good?
The unstoppable, unspeaking Aatami Korpi returns in this better-than-it-has-any-right-to-be sequel, which is filled with shocks so stunning they might well make you laugh—and squeal. To ramp things up a notch in Sisu: Road to Revenge, Finnish writer-director Jalmari Helander casts American actor Stephen Lang as the antagonist; Lang played a similarly persistent, unstoppable character in the Don't Breathe movies. His Draganov and Tommila's Korpi are equally matched. Essentially a road movie, Sisu: Road to Revenge has a real Mad Max vibe, especially with Korpi's faithful Bedlington terrier Ukko by his side in the passenger seat. Each chapter involves some kind of vehicle, as Korpi first tries to get back to safety but then heads back into enemy territory to go on the attack.
Each chapter also contains clever mishaps that Korpi must figure a way out of (or simply rely on good luck). One attempt to survive a crashing plane aimed directly at his truck recalls one of Buster Keaton's best gags in The General. Korpi remains a fascinating character; despite a lack of backstory and spoken lines (while he uttered a few words in Sisu, he doesn't speak at all here), viewers do come to know him. He feels pain. When he explores his old house in an early scene, he comes across a height chart on a doorframe, marked with the names of his deceased children, and viewers see his suffering. And when help is offered in another scene, viewers can see his tension melting. Sisu: Road to Revenge is a tight, stripped-down 88-minute example of how entertaining a movie can be with just a few good ideas.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Sisu: Road to Revenge's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What's appealing about "one-man army" movies like this? How does teamwork fit into a story like this, if at all?
How does this sequel compare to the original? Which do you like better, and why?
Can the Soviet villains be considered bullies? How does the main character respond to them? What are some other ways of handling bullies?
How are drinking and smoking depicted? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 21, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : December 16, 2025
- Cast : Jorma Tommila , Stephen Lang , Richard Brake
- Director : Jalmari Helander
- Studios : Screen Gems , Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Animals ( Dogs ) , History ( War: WWII ) , Transportation ( Cars & Trucks , Planes , Trains )
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, gore and language
- Last updated : November 28, 2025
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