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Crime film

Bordertown: The Mural Murders (2021): Cast & Ratings

Bordertown: The Mural Murders (2021) movie poster

Bordertown: The Mural Murders is a 2021 crime film directed by Juuso Syrjä, starring Sampo Sarkola as Lasse Maasalo, Ville Virtanen and Olivia Ainali. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and was made on a reported $3 million budget. Its Echo Score is 66/100.

Echo Score
66
budget
$3M
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Bordertown: The Mural Murders (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Juuso Syrjä
Genre
Crime
Original language
Finnish
Budget
$3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bordertown: The Mural Murders About?

The premise of Bordertown: The Mural Murders without spoilers.

A shocking mural painted with blood appears on the wall of Helsinki's Pasila train station, depicting notorious Finnish serial killer Lasse Maasalo. The artwork includes a message linked to a viral social media campaign where people nominate individuals they believe would improve the world by their absence. When the first victim is discovered, detective Seppo Sorjonen must race against time to identify the perpetrator, who has adopted the alias "The Judge."

Bordertown: The Mural Murders Themes & Keywords

· 7 tags
  • killer
  • serial killer
  • hunt
  • nordic noir
  • blood
  • mural
  • world
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Cast & crew

Bordertown: The Mural Murders Cast & Characters

Sampo Sarkola leads the cast as Lasse Maasalo, with Ville Virtanen as Kari Sorjonen and Olivia Ainali as Janina Sorjonen. Directed by Juuso Syrjä; 32 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Bordertown: The Mural Murders

· 28 more
Show all 32 cast members
From the director

More from Juuso Syrjä

One more film directed by Juuso Syrjä: Ella And Aleksi - Surprise Birthday Party.

Full filmography
Ratings

Bordertown: The Mural Murders Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (55).

66 /100

Bordertown: The Mural Murders Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impression, the film delivers a competent neo‑noir atmosphere that satisfies existing fans of the series while presenting challenges for newcomers. The acting and visual design receive consistent praise, whereas the plot’s reliance on prior installments and occasional logical gaps generate mixed reactions. Consequently, the movie offers solid entertainment for its target audience but falls short of broader narrative coherence.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    Direction and production design maintain a polished aesthetic, with effective dubbing that matches actors’ lips and settings that appear impressive. Cinematography is praised for its clean look, though occasional scenes feel derivative. Editing sustains a measured pace, contributing to an overall competent visual presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Performances are a notable strength, with Ville Virtanen delivering a nuanced portrayal that anchors the narrative. Supporting actors provide solid, believable interactions, and returning characters add depth for series followers. Some viewers note uneven character arcs and occasional over‑dramatic moments, but overall the ensemble conveys credible emotional stakes.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The narrative builds on previous series material, offering intriguing concepts such as a psychic detective and a manipulative killer. However, plot development suffers from unresolved threads, implausible police procedures, and reliance on background knowledge, which many find confusing. While pacing remains steady, the story’s coherence is compromised by these structural inconsistencies.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    The film’s sound design and score complement its bleak tone, with subtitles preserving dialogue clarity. Visual style is cohesive, featuring a muted color palette that reinforces the somber atmosphere. Although the soundtrack is understated, it enhances tension without overwhelming scenes, resulting in a consistent sensory experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    For viewers acquainted with the series, the movie provides satisfactory closure and the chance to revisit familiar characters, enhancing rewatch appeal. Newcomers may struggle with the dense backstory, reducing incentive for repeat viewings. Overall, the film offers moderate replay value, primarily for fans seeking additional narrative resolution.

Details

Bordertown: The Mural Murders Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Sorjonen” and “Bordertown: Ein besserer Ort”.

Also known as
  • Sorjonen
  • Bordertown: Ein besserer Ort
  • Bordertown : Du sang sur les murs
  • Bordertown: Murales de sangre
  • Miasteczko na granicy: Krwawe murale
  • Bordertown: A Eliminação
  • Ville frontière : Du sang sur les murs
  • Bordertown: Duvardaki Sır
  • Sorjonen: Krvavé poselství
  • Сорйонен: Послание на стене
  • Bordertown: Volja naroda
  • Bordertown: Mural Murders
+2 more
  • Bordertown: Muralni umori
  • Sorjonen: Muralmorden

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FAQ

Bordertown: The Mural Murders FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, post-credit scenes and language of Bordertown: The Mural Murders, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bordertown: The Mural Murders?

Bordertown: The Mural Murders runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Bordertown: The Mural Murders released?

Bordertown: The Mural Murders was released on October 27, 2021.

Who directed Bordertown: The Mural Murders?

Bordertown: The Mural Murders was directed by Juuso Syrjä.

More films by Juuso Syrjä

Who is in the cast of Bordertown: The Mural Murders?

Bordertown: The Mural Murders stars Sampo Sarkola as Lasse Maasalo, Ville Virtanen as Kari Sorjonen and Olivia Ainali as Janina Sorjonen, among 32 credited actors.

What was the budget of Bordertown: The Mural Murders?

Bordertown: The Mural Murders had a reported budget of $3 million.

Does Bordertown: The Mural Murders have a post-credit scene?

No. Bordertown: The Mural Murders has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Bordertown: The Mural Murders in?

The original language of Bordertown: The Mural Murders is Finnish.

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