Fallen Leaves (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 21m (81 min)
- Director
- Aki Kaurismäki
- Original language
-
Finnish
- Studio
- Sputnik
- Budget
- $1.5M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
-
Director Aki Kaurismäki
- Alma Pöysti as Ansa Grönholm
- Jussi Vatanen as Holappa
- Janne Hyytiäinen as Hannes Huotari
- Nuppu Koivu as Liisa
Also Starring in Fallen Leaves
· 16 more- Matti Onnismaa Metalliverstaan johtaja
- Martti Suosalo Raunio
- Sakari Kuosmanen
- Alina Tomnikov
- Sherwan Haji Parakin asukas
- Eero Ritala
- Maria Heiskanen
- Lauri Untamo
- Simon Al-Bazoon Internet-kahvilan pitäjä
- Paula Oinonen
- Mika Nikander Markus, Karaokelaulaja ('Serenade')
- Sami Muttilainen Hämärämies 2
- Olli Varja
- Anna Karjalainen
- Kaisa Karjalainen
- Misha Jaari
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.
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).
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.
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IMDb 7.2 /10
36825 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 97% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 62%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 86 Metascore
User score 7.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.8 /5
219008 ratings
See on Letterboxd
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$6.6M
4.5× its budget
- US & Canada
- $954.3K
- International
- $5.7M
- Budget
- $1.5M
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
-
Gaudí Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Best European Film
-
Golden Globes 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Actress) – Alma Pöysti
Fallen Leaves Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser and 3 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
- Trailer Official Trailer #2 [Subtitled]
- Teaser Official Teaser
- Featurette Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen on Fallen Leaves
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
- 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 type of contract does Ansa have at the supermarket?
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Fallen Leaves
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Falling Leaves, Fallen and Drifting Clouds.
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.
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