Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

Fallen Leaves (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Fallen Leaves (2023) movie poster

Fallen Leaves is a 2023 comedy drama directed by Aki Kaurismäki, starring Alma Pöysti as Ansa Grönholm, Jussi Vatanen and Janne Hyytiäinen. It runs 1 hour 21 minutes and earned $6.6 million worldwide on a $1.5 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best European Film at the Gaudí Awards 2025. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$6.6M
award nominations
2
Loading streaming availability…
Fallen Leaves (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 21m (81 min)
Director
Aki Kaurismäki
Genres
Comedy , Drama
Original language
Finnish
Studio
Sputnik
Budget
$1.5M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Fallen Leaves About?

The premise of Fallen Leaves without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In the bustling city of Helsinki, Alma and Jussi, both seeking connection, unexpectedly meet at a karaoke bar. Their pursuit of happiness takes a comedic turn, filled with relatable mishaps like lost phone numbers and incorrect addresses. A charming stray dog further complicates their journey as they experience the humorous challenges and unexpected joys of modern relationships and the search for love.

Fallen Leaves Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • russo ukrainian war
  • karaoke
  • singing
  • alcoholic
  • coma
  • hospital
  • alcoholism
  • first date
  • life
  • couple
  • cigarette smoking
  • supermarket employee
+38 more
  • singing out of tune
  • fired from a job
  • police arrest
  • drug trafficking
  • movie theater
  • watching a film
  • reference to zombies
  • hit by a train
  • love
  • eastern europe
  • eastern scandinavia
  • helsinki finland
  • male female relationship
  • construction worker
  • finland
  • stray dog
  • single woman
  • going steady
  • dating
  • written by director
  • heterosexuality
  • construction site
  • cinema
  • finnish woman
  • watching a stag film
  • cooking for a friend
  • wanting a baby
  • listening to a radio
  • 2020s
  • love story
  • year 2022
  • falling in love
  • radio news
  • karaoke bar
  • friday night
  • workshop
  • getting fired
  • shop stocker
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Fallen Leaves Cast & Characters

Alma Pöysti leads the cast as Ansa Grönholm, with Jussi Vatanen as Holappa and Janne Hyytiäinen as Hannes Huotari. Directed by Aki Kaurismäki; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Aki Kaurismäki

More films directed by Aki Kaurismäki, best-rated first: The Man Without a Past, The Other Side of Hope, Le Havre and Lights in the Dusk.

Full filmography
Ratings

Fallen Leaves Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Fallen Leaves 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

84 /100

Fallen Leaves Echo Score Breakdown

Fallen Leaves is marked by a concise and focused execution that blends dry humor with poignant intimacy. The film’s brisk 81-minute runtime and streamlined narrative draw attention to the evolving connection between its two protagonists. Critics highlight the effective balance of stoicism and hope, as well as the deliberate minimalism of its direction. While a minority of viewers find the simplicity limiting, the net result is a succinct romance that resonates with emotional clarity and stylistic precision.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    Art & Craft shows a distinctive minimalist aesthetic that underscores the director’s precise framing and production design. Positive notes highlight the film’s immaculate cinematography, well-chosen color palette, and taut editing that keeps the narrative lean. The deliberate pacing and clean visual compositions contribute to a cohesive style. Overall, the film’s visual craftsmanship stands out as a major asset.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character depth, Fallen Leaves presents a subdued yet resonant portrayal of two lonely protagonists. Observers note effective chemistry and nuanced performances that convey longing through restrained gestures and deadpan humor. While some viewers find the emotional arc understated or characters somewhat detached, the film maintains a delicate balance of stoicism and optimism. In sum, the character work delivers quiet emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of plot and pacing, the film delivers a lean narrative that wastes no time over its 81-minute runtime. The romance unfolds with a steady, measured tempo and modest twists that emphasize authenticity over melodrama. Although a few viewers find the ending underwhelming or the story overly simple, the cohesive flow and thematic clarity sustain engagement. Overall, the story remains concise and purposeful.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    Regarding sensory experience, Fallen Leaves excels with its understated soundtrack, clean sound design, and stark visual style. The minimalist score and sparse dialogue amplify the emotional atmosphere, while static camera compositions and intentional lighting foster an engaging mood. Viewers praise the film’s tonal cohesion and atmospheric resonance. Ultimately, the film’s sensory elements coalesce into an immersive audiovisual landscape.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    When evaluating rewatch potential, the film’s brevity and subtle nuances encourage subsequent viewings. Audiences appreciate the dry humor, hidden visual cues, and thematic layering that emerge over time. However, some find the subdued pace and austere tone less compelling on repeat viewings. On balance, Fallen Leaves retains a quiet allure that rewards attentive viewers with fresh observations upon revisiting.

Plot

Fallen Leaves Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Fallen Leaves from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the vibrant city of Helsinki, the story unfolds with Ansa (Alma Pöysti), who balances her mundane zero-hour contract at a supermarket, where she spends her days apathetically shelving products. Outside of her work life, Ansa faces an equally bleak reality, mirroring her emotional detachment. On the other side, Holappa (Jussi Vatanen), a sandblaster grappling with profound despair, seeks solace in alcohol while on the job, escaping the weight of his troubled existence.

Full summary

The whole story of Fallen Leaves, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Fallen Leaves Box Office & Budget

Fallen Leaves grossed $6.6 million worldwide on a $1.5 million budget, 4.5 times what it cost. $954,307 came from the US and Canada and $5.7 million (86%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$6.6M

4.5× its budget

US & Canada
$954.3K
International
$5.7M
Budget
$1.5M
US & Canada 14% Rest of the world 86%
Awards

Fallen Leaves Awards & Nominations

Fallen Leaves earned 2 award nominations, including Best European Film at the Gaudí Awards 2025. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Fallen Leaves Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser and 3 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer #2 [Subtitled]
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Featurette Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen on Fallen Leaves
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Fallen Leaves?

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 type of contract does Ansa have at the supermarket?

Details

Fallen Leaves Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “Höstlöv som faller” and “Opalo lišće”.

Also known as
  • Höstlöv som faller
  • Opalo lišće
  • Dead Leaves
  • 枯れ葉
  • 사랑은 낙엽을 타고
  • Foglie al vento
  • Les Feuilles mortes
  • Karaoke blues
  • โรงหนัง คนเหงา เรา 2 คน
  • Hulló levelek
  • Fallende Blätter
  • Folhas de Outono
+13 more
  • Fulles caigudes
  • Opadające liście
  • 枯叶
  • Hojas De Otoño
  • Jesensko listje
  • 落葉
  • Folhas Caídas
  • Sararmış Yapraklar
  • Опавшие листья
  • עלי שלכת
  • Langenud lehed
  • Kritušās lapas
  • Опале листя

Seen Fallen Leaves?

FAQ

Fallen Leaves FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Fallen Leaves, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Fallen Leaves?

Fallen Leaves runs 1 hour 21 minutes (81 minutes).

When was Fallen Leaves released?

Fallen Leaves was released on November 17, 2023.

Who directed Fallen Leaves?

Fallen Leaves was directed by Aki Kaurismäki.

More films by Aki Kaurismäki

Who is in the cast of Fallen Leaves?

Fallen Leaves stars Alma Pöysti as Ansa Grönholm, Jussi Vatanen as Holappa and Janne Hyytiäinen as Hannes Huotari, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Fallen Leaves make at the box office?

Fallen Leaves grossed $6.6 million worldwide ($954,307 domestic, $5.7 million international) on a budget of $1.5 million.

How is Fallen Leaves rated?

Fallen Leaves has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Was Fallen Leaves nominated for any awards?

Fallen Leaves received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Fallen Leaves have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Fallen Leaves has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app