Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action war film

Sisu (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Sisu (2023) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$14.2M
award won
1
Loading streaming availability…
Sisu (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Jalmari Helander
Genres
Action , War
Original language
Finnish
Budget
$6.6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Sisu

· 4 more
From the director

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.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

71 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$14.2M

2.2× its budget

US & Canada
$7.3M
International
$7M
Budget
$6.6M
US & Canada 51% Rest of the world 49%
Awards

Sisu Awards & Nominations

Sisu won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best International Film at the Saturn Awards 2024.

1 win1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Sisu Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 5 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 7 videos
Official Red Band Trailer
  • Clip Official Clip - 'Minefield'
  • Clip Official Clip - "Underwater"
  • Clip Official Clip - 'One Man Death Squad'
  • Clip Official Clip - 'Hangman'
Quiz

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

  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 does the Finnish term 'sisu' embody?

Details

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
  • 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?

FAQ

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.

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