The Finnish Line (2024): Cast & Ratings
The Finnish Line is a 2024 adventure romantic film directed by Dustin Rikert, starring Kim Matula as Anya, Beau Mirchoff and Páll Sigþór Pálsson. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes. IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 24m (84 min)
- Director
- Dustin Rikert
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Hallmark Media
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Finnish Line About?
The premise of The Finnish Line without spoilers.
Anya follows in her father's footsteps in the thrilling world of sled dog racing in Finland. Determined to compete in his final race, she faces a setback when her lead dog is injured. She then teams up with Cole, combining their dogs to challenge her father’s fierce rival, Monty. Anya must learn to trust her new canine partner and overcome obstacles to achieve victory.
The Finnish Line Themes & Keywords
· 37 tags- veterinarian
- hallmark movie
- dog sled race
- finnish american
- journalist
- cousin cousin relationship
- romantic comedy
- juneau alaska
- finnish american woman
- graveyard
- winter
- holiday romance
+25 more Show fewer
- sodankyla finland
- finland
- television movie
- tourist attraction
- cemetery
- christmas
- sauna
- santa claus
- lapland
- kiss
- visiting a grave
- montage
- finnish lapland
- dog sleigh
- snowstorm
- sleigh dog
- male female relationship
- travel montage
- husky
- sleigh ride
- rovaniemi finland
- hallmark christmas movie
- ice swimming
- telling a story
- kemi finland
The Finnish Line Cast & Characters
Kim Matula leads the cast as Anya, with Beau Mirchoff as Cole and Páll Sigþór Pálsson as Monty White. Directed by Dustin Rikert; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Dustin Rikert
-
Kim Matula as Anya - Beau Mirchoff as Cole
- Páll Sigþór Pálsson as Monty White
- Nichole Sakura as Elyse
Also Starring in The Finnish Line
· 16 more- Hjörtur Jóhann Jónsson Bryce Turtledove
- Einar Haraldsson Guest
- Ragnheiður Steindórsdóttir Aunt Hilda
- Hinrik Ólafsson Jaak
- Telma Huld Jóhannesdóttir Mother
- Níels Thibaud Girerd Reporter
- Ingi Hrafn Hilmarsson Hans Kivelä
- Arnar Dan Kristjánsson Beckett Turtledove
- Benedikt Gröndal Lavi
- Tinna Björt Guðjónsdóttir Nitaro Mendez
- Valerie Ósk Elenudóttir Race Crew
- Kolbrún Helga Friðriksdóttir Willa
- Gretar Bjarnarson Uncle Ollie
- Vaatu Kervinen Young Child
- Hildur Karitas Einarsdóttir Young Anya
- Pyry Puurunen Santa Claus
More from Dustin Rikert
More films directed by Dustin Rikert: A Merry Scottish Christmas, Where Are You, Christmas?, The 12 Days of Christmas Eve and Two Tickets to Paradise.
The Finnish Line Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate The Finnish Line 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in sensory experience (50).
The Finnish Line Echo Score Breakdown
The Finnish Line generates a mixed but modestly favorable reception overall. Positive feedback highlights the film’s charming holiday atmosphere, engaging dog‑sled race premise, and occasional strong performances, while criticism targets uneven cinematography, cultural inaccuracies, and a thin romantic core. Reviewers who appreciate Hallmark’s formula find the movie enjoyable and replay‑worthy, whereas others note confusing plot points and a lack of visual polish. Consequently, the film sits in a middle‑ground, offering modest appeal without standing out dramatically.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
The visual and technical execution shows inconsistency. Some viewers praise the scenic Finnish backdrop and occasional effective action sequences, yet several criticize the blurred, poorly composed shots that diminish the setting’s beauty. The direction is described as watchable but not distinctive, and editing receives no notable commendation. Overall, the film’s art and craft are serviceable but hindered by noticeable cinematographic flaws.
- Character & Emotion 70
Acting and on‑screen chemistry receive generally positive remarks. Lead performances are noted as solid, with particular appreciation for the male lead’s appeal and occasional effective chemistry. Supporting characters, especially the comedic cousin, add depth. However, some critics feel the romance lacks sufficient development and emotional resonance. Balancing these views, the character work emerges as a relative strength, though not uniformly praised.
- Story & Flow 65
The narrative combines a festive dog‑sled race with a romantic subplot that many find enjoyable and well‑paced. Reviewers cite an engaging premise and occasional drama as highlights, while others mention confusing race mechanics and underdeveloped romantic moments. Originality is limited by Hallmark conventions, yet the story remains coherent enough to sustain interest. Overall, the plot is moderately effective, delivering modest entertainment despite some structural lapses.
- Sensory Experience 50
Sensory elements receive mixed assessments. The soundtrack and atmospheric cues support the holiday setting, and some appreciate the visual depiction of Finnish traditions. Conversely, several critics highlight dull cinematography, over‑blurred landscapes, and a lack of distinctive visual flair. Sound design is not prominently praised. Consequently, the sensory experience is average, offering adequate but unremarkable support to the film’s tone.
- Rewatch Factor 60
Replay value is viewed as moderate. Enthusiastic fans anticipate annual viewings for its festive spirit and enjoyable race sequences, while detractors question the film’s lasting appeal due to plot thinness and cultural missteps. Some find the movie comfortably watchable and likely to be revisited during the holiday season, whereas others see little incentive for repeat watches. Overall, the film holds modest rewatch potential without strong compelling reasons.
-
IMDb 6.2 /10
1142 votes
The Finnish Line Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Finnish Line.
The Finnish Line Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “ფინური ფინიში” and “Финишная черта”.
- Also known as
-
- ფინური ფინიში
- Финишная черта
- Das Weihnachtsrennen - Im Hundeschlitten zur großen Liebe
- Noël dans le Grand Nord
- Una slitta per due
Seen The Finnish Line?
Movies Like The Finnish Line
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Love Alaska, Snow Dogs and Love in Lapland.
-
Love Alaska 2019 -
Snow Dogs 2002 -
Love in Lapland 2017 -
Christmas in the Rockies 2020 -
What the Finn?! – Summer of Surprises 2023 -
The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog 1980 -
Anything to Survive 1990 -
Love in Glacier National: A National Park Romance 2023 -
Susikoira Roi 2022 -
Love to the Rescue 2019 -
Frozen in Love 2018 -
Call of the Wild 2009
The Finnish Line FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Finnish Line, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Finnish Line?
The Finnish Line runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).
When was The Finnish Line released?
The Finnish Line was released on December 1, 2024.
Who directed The Finnish Line?
The Finnish Line was directed by Dustin Rikert.
More films by Dustin Rikert Who is in the cast of The Finnish Line?
The Finnish Line stars Kim Matula as Anya, Beau Mirchoff as Cole and Páll Sigþór Pálsson as Monty White, among 20 credited actors.
How is The Finnish Line rated?
The Finnish Line has 6.2/10 on IMDb.
Does The Finnish Line have a post-credit scene?
No. The Finnish Line 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
