Sisu 2 Review: I went into Sisu: Road to Revenge already loving the first film. That raw, dirty survival energy, that “this man refuses to die even out of stubbornness” vibe… it just worked. So when the sequel was announced, I was excited but also a little nervous. Because let’s be honest, action sequels usually promise “bigger and better” and then give you… louder and dumber.
But about 30–40 minutes into this one, I realized something: They weren’t bluffing. This really is bigger and better.
And not in the Hollywood “we added CGI and explosions” way, but in a creative, ridiculous, joyfully violent way that actually builds on what made the first movie fun.
I watched this at the world premiere at Fantastic Fest, and the energy in that room was wild. People were laughing, wincing, cheering… and yes, tearing up at the end, including me. And I was not expecting that.
My Rating: 3.5/5
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Sisu: Road to Revenge (Sisu 2) |
| Director | Jalmari Helander |
| Genre | Action / Thriller |
| Language | English / Finnish tones & influence |
| Runtime | 1h 29m |
| Main Cast | Jorma Tommila, Steven Lang, Jack Doolan, and others |
| Sequel to | Sisu (2022) |
Why the Sisu 2 Works So Well
- It moves like a bullet train (literally).
The director told me he wanted to make a film with “speed.” And he meant it. This isn’t just a revenge movie; it’s a full-blown chase movie. Car chases, plane chases, train chases… if it has wheels or wings, it probably shows up here.
There’s a huge motorcycle + truck sequence early on that honestly feels like someone smashed Raiders of the Lost Ark and Last Crusade together, then cranked the violence to 11. It’s wild, it’s bloody, and it sets the tone perfectly.
- The action is insane in the best way.
If Sisu 1 danced on the line between believable and cartoonish… Sisu 2 jumps over the line, throws the line in a river, and says, “Physics is optional.”
And somehow, that total commitment makes it work. Every time the hero seems cornered, he pulls off something so stupidly creative that the whole theater bursts out laughing. The fun of this movie is waiting to see how he’ll survive the next impossible situation.
- It’s surprisingly emotional.
That’s the part that caught everyone off guard. The ending touches something personal, not Hollywood melodrama, but something tied to Finnish culture, history, and the character’s past. The person on my right cried. The person on my left cried. And I definitely pretended I wasn’t emotional.
- Steven Lang absolutely nails it.
He’s the villain this story deserved, intimidating, grounded, and deeply connected to the protagonist in a way that actually makes the stakes feel personal.
Where the Sisu 2 Slips a Bit
Now, nothing’s perfect.
The biggest thing that might turn some people off is how absurd it gets. If you wanted the gritty realism of the first film, this isn’t that. This is unapologetically cartoon physics. There are a few moments where you’ll think, “Okay, that is straight-up Looney Tunes.”
Also, the plot is basically a straight line. Point A → Point B → more chaos → final showdown. No twists, no surprises, just momentum. But honestly? That’s exactly why it works for me. It knows what it is, and it doesn’t waste time pretending otherwise.
Also Read: Wicked for Good Review: A Stunning Finale or a Messy Oz Meltdown?
Good & Bad in Sisu 2
| What Works Really Well | What Doesn’t Land Perfectly |
|---|---|
| Insanely creative action sequences | The physics often make no sense |
| Steven Lang as a truly memorable villain | The plot is very straightforward |
| Fast pacing and non-stop movement | If you want realism, you won’t find it here |
| Emotional payoff in the final scene | A few tonal shifts feel a bit cartoony |
| Bigger scale and more variety than the first | Can feel too over-the-top for some viewers |
My Final Take on Sisu 2
Sisu: Road to Revenge is the rare sequel that doesn’t just repeat the formula; it levels up every piece of it. Faster pace, better villain, darker stakes, funnier brutality, and a surprisingly heartfelt finish.
I give it a 3.5/5 on pure entertainment. If you’re an action fan, please go see it. Studios need to know we still want R-rated, bloody, inventive action films.