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Drama

Compartment No. 6 (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Compartment No. 6 (2021) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$2.7M
award nomination
1
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Compartment No. 6 (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Juho Kuosmanen
Genre
Drama
Original language
Russian
Budget
$2.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Compartment No. 6

· 6 more
From the director

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.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

76 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.7M

1.2× its budget

US & Canada
$205.8K
International
$2.5M
Budget
$2.2M
US & Canada 8% Rest of the world 92%
Awards

Compartment No. 6 Awards & Nominations

Compartment No. 6 earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film at the Spirit Awards 2022.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Compartment No. 6 Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 3 clips and 1 featurette.

All 8 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Teaser UK Spot
  • Teaser Review Teaser
  • Clip Clip – “Petroglyphs”
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What nationality is the protagonist, Laura?

Seen Compartment No. 6?

FAQ

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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