Compartment No. 6 (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Compartment No. 6 is a 2021 drama directed by Juho Kuosmanen, starring Seidi Haarla as Laura, Dinara Drukarova and Yuriy Borisov. It is partly based on Compartment No. 6 by Rosa Liksom and Lola Rogers. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $2.7 million worldwide on a $2.2 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film at the Spirit Awards 2022. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Juho Kuosmanen
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Russian
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Budget
- $2.2M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Compartment No. 6 About?
The premise of Compartment No. 6 without spoilers, adapted from Compartment No. 6 by Rosa Liksom and Lola Rogers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A young woman traveling from Moscow to Murmansk seeks refuge from a difficult situation. She unexpectedly finds herself sharing a train compartment with a Russian miner on the long and challenging journey. Through unexpected conversations and shared experiences, they both embark on a journey of self-discovery, confronting personal truths and exploring the complexities of human connection against the backdrop of Russia's vast, icy landscape.
Compartment No. 6 Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- train
- murmansk russia
- train compartment
- train trip
- vodka
- finnish woman
- petroglyphs
- sleeper train
- lesbian
- journey
- reference to yuri gagarin
- snow
+38 more Show fewer
- road movie
- 1990s
- russia
- train journey
- lesbian couple
- based on novel
- female protagonist
- cigarette smoking
- sleeping in a train
- drinking alcohol
- video camera
- winter
- stranger
- arctic
- implied lesbian sex
- language barrier
- night train
- mine worker
- saint petersburg russia
- petrozavodsk russia
- moscow russia
- snowstorm
- lesbianism
- title same as book
- number in title
- promiscuity
- party
- student
- female student
- couchette car
- audio cassette
- hand camera
- dining car
- sleep
- train station
- cat
- stolen car
- playing guitar
Compartment No. 6 Cast & Characters
Seidi Haarla leads the cast as Laura, with Dinara Drukarova as Irina Mezhinskaya and Yuriy Borisov as Lyokha. Directed by Juho Kuosmanen; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Juho Kuosmanen
-
Seidi Haarla as Laura -
Dinara Drukarova as Irina Mezhinskaya -
Yuriy Borisov as Lyokha -
Tomi Alatalo as Sasha
Also Starring in Compartment No. 6
· 6 more- Konstantin Murzenko Juhlavieras
- Yuliya Aug Natalia
- Polina Aug Vastaanottovirkailija
- Galina Petrova
- Natalya Drozd Juhlavieras
- Vladimir Lysenko
More from Juho Kuosmanen
More films directed by Juho Kuosmanen, best-rated first: The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki, Silent Trilogy, Moonshiners and Pony Freak.
Compartment No. 6 Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Compartment No. 6 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in story & flow (62).
Compartment No. 6 Echo Score Breakdown
Compartment No. 6 delivers a modestly successful blend of intimate performances and evocative visual design, though its narrative momentum occasionally falters. The film’s strength lies in the nuanced chemistry between the leads and the stark, immersive winter setting, which together create a compelling atmosphere. However, pacing irregularities and a familiar premise temper overall impact, resulting in a respectable but uneven viewing experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 84
The film’s direction and cinematography are consistently praised for their restrained elegance and atmospheric texture. Critics highlight the unhurried rhythm and haunting long takes that echo the clatter of train tracks, while users note the stunning visual composition of the winter landscape. Production design supports the confined train setting, reinforcing the story’s mood. Overall, the artful craftsmanship stands out as a major strength.
- Character & Emotion 88
Performances anchor the film, with both leads delivering nuanced, naturalistic portrayals that convey subtle emotional shifts. Critics and users alike commend the actors’ timing, tiny movements, and the palpable chemistry that evolves without overt romance. Character depth emerges through quiet interactions, allowing audiences to engage with the protagonists’ loneliness and connection. This strong character work elevates the narrative despite other shortcomings.
- Story & Flow 62
Narrative structure receives mixed reactions, balancing originality with familiar tropes. While the premise of an unexpected companionship on a train feels fresh to some, others find it corny and predictable, noting slow pacing and occasional implausibilities. Critics describe the story as cryptic yet thought‑provoking, but user feedback often cites meandering plot points that diminish engagement. Consequently, story cohesion is perceived as moderate.
- Sensory Experience 78
Sensory elements, particularly visual style, are widely praised for their immersive quality. The bleak Russian winter and train interiors create a cohesive atmosphere, complemented by attentive sound design that mirrors the rhythmic clatter of tracks. Reviewers commend the film’s understated palette and haunting long shots, which together reinforce the emotional tone. Although soundtrack discussion is limited, the overall sensory experience is regarded positively.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Rewatch potential is assessed as solid but not universal. Many viewers find the film rewarding on subsequent viewings due to its subtle character nuances and atmospheric setting, describing it as a charming, lingering experience. However, the slow pacing and predictable plot elements deter some from revisiting. The balance of emotional resonance and visual appeal suggests a respectable lasting appeal, though not unequivocal repeat viewing.
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IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 93% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 84%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 7.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 4.4 /5
See on Movie Insider
Compartment No. 6 Plot Summary
What happens in Compartment No. 6 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Moscow, Laura, a Finnish student, and her Russian girlfriend Irina Mezhinskaya plan a trip to Murmansk to see ancient petroglyphs, but Irina cancels due to a scheduling conflict. Laura decides to go alone.
On the train, she shares a sleeping compartment with Lyokha, a drunk and brash Russian miner. He riddles her with questions to translate phrases into Finnish, then mocks the translations. When he asks how to say “I love you,” she tells him it is
haista vittu
Full summary
The whole story of Compartment No. 6, scene by scene
Compartment No. 6 Box Office & Budget
Compartment No. 6 grossed $2.7 million worldwide on a $2.2 million budget, 1.2 times what it cost. $205,843 came from the US and Canada and $2.5 million (92%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.7M
1.2× its budget
- US & Canada
- $205.8K
- International
- $2.5M
- Budget
- $2.2M
Compartment No. 6 Awards & Nominations
Compartment No. 6 earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film at the Spirit Awards 2022.
1 nomination1 ceremony
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Spirit Awards 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Best International Film
Compartment No. 6 Trailers & Videos
8 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 3 clips and 1 featurette.
- Trailer Official US Trailer
- Teaser UK Spot
- Teaser Review Teaser
- Clip Clip – “Petroglyphs”
How Well Do You Know Compartment No. 6?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What nationality is the protagonist, Laura?
Seen Compartment No. 6?
Movies Like Compartment No. 6
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including 2046, The Railway and Station for Two.
Compartment No. 6 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Compartment No. 6, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Compartment No. 6?
Compartment No. 6 runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Compartment No. 6 released?
Compartment No. 6 was released on November 19, 2021.
Who directed Compartment No. 6?
Compartment No. 6 was directed by Juho Kuosmanen.
More films by Juho Kuosmanen Who is in the cast of Compartment No. 6?
Compartment No. 6 stars Seidi Haarla as Laura, Dinara Drukarova as Irina Mezhinskaya and Yuriy Borisov as Lyokha, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Compartment No. 6 make at the box office?
Compartment No. 6 grossed $2.7 million worldwide ($205,843 domestic, $2.5 million international) on a budget of $2.2 million.
How is Compartment No. 6 rated?
Compartment No. 6 has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
Is Compartment No. 6 based on a book?
Yes. Compartment No. 6 is partly adapted from Compartment No. 6 by Rosa Liksom and Lola Rogers.
Was Compartment No. 6 nominated for any awards?
Compartment No. 6 received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
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