Sisu (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Sisu is a 2023 action war film directed by Jalmari Helander, starring Jorma Tommila as Aatami, Aksel Hennie and Jack Doolan. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $14.2 million worldwide on a $6.6 million budget. It won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best International Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Jalmari Helander
- Original language
-
Finnish
- Studio
- Lionsgate
- Budget
- $6.6M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Sisu About?
The premise of Sisu without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In the stark and desolate wilderness of Finland, a solitary veteran, hardened by war, discovers a cache of gold. As he attempts to transport his newfound wealth, he’s confronted by a desperate group of retreating Nazi soldiers. Driven by an indomitable spirit and fueled by the Finnish concept of “sisu,” a fierce blend of courage and resilience, he embarks on a relentless pursuit to reclaim his stolen gold, unleashing a brutal and destructive rampage across the landscape.
Sisu Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- one man army
- gun violence
- 1940s
- world war two
- nazi
- boat
- minefield
- gun
- handgun
- rifle
- woman with a gun
- german soldiers
+38 more Show fewer
- world war
- lapland war
- weapon
- blood
- violence
- fight
- 20th century
- final battle
- brutality
- extreme violence
- airplane crash
- surviving a plane crash
- plane crash survivor
- chapter headings
- hanging
- underwater scene
- brutal violence
- unkillable
- survived hanging
- killing
- finding gold
- landmine
- death of a horse
- bank
- bloody violence
- grindhouse film
- gold nugget
- one word title
- one against many
- finland
- male nudity
- male rear nudity
- lapland finland
- lapland
- finnish soldier
- nazi soldier
- female pedal pumping
- platoon
Sisu Cast & Characters
Jorma Tommila leads the cast as Aatami, with Aksel Hennie as Bruno and Jack Doolan as Wolf. Directed by Jalmari Helander; 8 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jalmari Helander
- Jorma Tommila as Aatami
-
Aksel Hennie as Bruno - Jack Doolan as Wolf
- Mimosa Willamo as Aino
Also Starring in Sisu
· 4 more- Arttu Kapulainen Rower
- Vincent Willestrand SS Soldier 4
- Tatu Sinisalo SS Soldier 1
- Onni Tommila Schütze
More from Jalmari Helander
More films directed by Jalmari Helander, best-rated first: Sisu: Road to Revenge, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, Big Game and The Official Rare Exports Inc. Safety Instructions 2005.
Sisu Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Sisu 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (82) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Sisu Echo Score Breakdown
Sisu delivers a high‑octane, visually striking war action piece that leans heavily on spectacle over substance. Critics and many viewers commend its relentless pacing, vivid cinematography, and effective gore, while noting the narrative is straightforward and often forgettable; some reviewers criticize implausible moments and limited character depth. Consequently the film provides entertaining thrills but leaves an uneven impression, reflected in a moderate overall rating.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 82
Regarding art and craft, Sisu maximizes its modest budget with striking visual design and kinetic editing. Critics highlight the effective use of limited military hardware and the forbidding Lapland landscape, while users praise the stunning cinematography and sharp cut‑pacing. Although a few note only redeemable moments, the overall craftsmanship is consistently strong, justifying a high score.
- Character & Emotion 75
In terms of character and emotion, the film centers on an almost mythic, largely silent protagonist whose physical presence drives the narrative. Critics acknowledge Jorma Tommila’s compelling screen dominance, and users observe expressive glances and effective chemistry with supporting cast. However, the lack of deeper development and emotional nuance limits the overall impact, resulting in a solid but not outstanding rating.
- Story & Flow 55
Assessing story and flow, Sisu presents a straightforward revenge plot that prioritizes action over intricate plotting. Critics describe it as simple yet captivating, while several viewers label the narrative as pointless, chapter‑based, and occasionally implausible. The pacing remains relentless, but the limited originality and occasional plot holes prevent a higher assessment, placing the story in a moderate range.
- Sensory Experience 78
In the sensory domain, the film excels with over‑the‑top sound design, visceral gore, and a stylized visual palette that oscillates between elemental and ethereal. Critics commend the intense gory set pieces and elemental atmosphere, and users highlight vivid cinematography, effective music, and dynamic fight choreography. This cohesive sensory execution warrants a high score for the category.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Regarding rewatch factor, Sisu offers a high‑energy experience that satisfies viewers seeking pure action thrills. Critics note its fun, binge‑worthy quality but also its limited memorability, while users are split: some describe it as a one‑time thrill they will not revisit, others claim it remains enjoyable on repeat. This divergence results in a moderate rewatch rating.
-
IMDb 6.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 88%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 70 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 74% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.2 /5
232619 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Sisu Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Sisu from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the tumultuous backdrop of late 1944, a significant shift occurs as Finland forges a treaty with the Soviet Union, thereby determining that an end to hostilities will arise only if the remnants of their former German allies are expelled from Finnish territory. This tumultuous period, known as the Lapland War, sees the German forces retaliating against the Finns.
Full summary
The whole story of Sisu, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Sisu Box Office & Budget
Sisu grossed $14.2 million worldwide on a $6.6 million budget, 2.2 times what it cost. $7.3 million came from the US and Canada and $7 million (49%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$14.2M
2.2× its budget
- US & Canada
- $7.3M
- International
- $7M
- Budget
- $6.6M
Sisu Awards & Nominations
Sisu won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best International Film at the Saturn Awards 2024.
1 win1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Saturn Awards 2024 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best International Film
Sisu Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 1 trailer, 5 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Clip Official Clip - 'Minefield'
- Clip Official Clip - "Underwater"
- Clip Official Clip - 'One Man Death Squad'
- Clip Official Clip - 'Hangman'
How Well Do You Know Sisu?
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 does the Finnish term 'sisu' embody?
Sisu Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “สิสู้” and “Безсмертний”.
- Also known as
-
- สิสู้
- Безсмертний
- 永生战士
- SISU/シス 不死身の男
- Сису
- Бессмертный
- SISU:黃金硬漢
- الشجاعة
- Sisu Rache ist suess
- Sisu: Già Gân Báo Thù
- Sisu: Uma História de Determinação
- Нескоримий
+9 more Show fewer
- Sisu : De l'or et du sang
- 시수
- เฒ่ามหากาฬ
- סיסו
- Sisu - L'immortale
- Воля
- سیسو
- SISU シス 不死身の男
- Sisu: de l'or et du sang
Seen Sisu?
Movies Like Sisu
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sven Tuuva the Hero, The Winter War and Born American.
Sisu FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Sisu, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Sisu?
Sisu runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was Sisu released?
Sisu was released on April 28, 2023.
Who directed Sisu?
Sisu was directed by Jalmari Helander.
More films by Jalmari Helander Who is in the cast of Sisu?
Sisu stars Jorma Tommila as Aatami, Aksel Hennie as Bruno and Jack Doolan as Wolf, among 8 credited actors.
How much did Sisu make at the box office?
Sisu grossed $14.2 million worldwide ($7.3 million domestic, $7 million international) on a budget of $6.6 million.
How is Sisu rated?
Sisu has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.
What awards did Sisu win?
Sisu won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best International Film at the Saturn Awards 2024.
Does Sisu have a post-credit scene?
No. Sisu has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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