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Comedy drama

The Other Side of Hope (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Other Side of Hope (2017) movie poster

The Other Side of Hope is a 2017 comedy drama directed by Aki Kaurismäki, starring Sakari Kuosmanen as Waldemar Wikström, Sherwan Haji and Kati Outinen. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $4.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$4.3M
Echo Score
78
Metascore
84
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The Other Side of Hope (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Aki Kaurismäki
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
Finnish
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Other Side of Hope About?

The premise of The Other Side of Hope without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A Syrian refugee seeking a new life unexpectedly finds himself in Helsinki, while a weary businessman leaves his old life behind to purchase a struggling restaurant. Their separate journeys unexpectedly converge, forging a connection that explores themes of hope, loss, and the search for meaning. The film portrays the challenges and quiet moments of connection as they navigate their individual circumstances and find solace in an unlikely friendship.

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Cast & crew

The Other Side of Hope Cast & Characters

Sakari Kuosmanen leads the cast as Waldemar Wikström, with Sherwan Haji as Khaled and Kati Outinen as Vaatetusliikkeen omistajatar. Directed by Aki Kaurismäki; 17 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Other Side of Hope Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Other Side of Hope 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (70).

78 /100

The Other Side of Hope Echo Score Breakdown

The Other Side of Hope excels with its distinctive style and emotional undercurrents. Many critics highlight Kaurismäki’s signature dry humor and understated mise-en-scène, while some note the film’s measured pacing and conceptual shagginess. User reactions are split between admiration for its uplifting flourishes and criticism of the deadpan motif’s emotional distance. On balance, the film leaves a lasting net impression of thoughtful restraint and quiet humanity.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of direction and cinematography, the film presents a deliberate and unadorned visual approach. Reviews note the muted color palette, flat close-ups, and Tati-style sets that emphasize ironic humor without distracting flair. The production design consistently reinforces the austere atmosphere, and the editing maintains the film’s signature deadpan rhythm. Overall, the art direction establishes a cohesive visual identity that supports the narrative’s tonal balance.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Regarding character depth and emotion, the film offers nuanced performances anchored by a touching central relationship. Critics praise the quiet chemistry between the protagonists and the sincerity in portraying refugee anxieties alongside everyday decency. While one viewer found the deadpan acting too restrained, most responses commend the sympathetic portrayal of personal struggles. Ultimately, the character interactions deliver a resonant emotional core without resorting to overt sentimentality.

  • Story & Flow 70

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative unfolds with deliberate pacing and thematic ambition. Several reviewers note the initial sag in momentum as the two storylines run independently for over an hour, though the eventual collision yields a simple, persuasive metaphor. The mixture of humor and stark monologues occasionally creates tonal shifts that feel uneven. In summary, the plot exhibits originality and engagement despite moments of shagginess.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s sound design and visual cohesion work in tandem to reinforce its deadpan style. Observers emphasize the understated soundtrack and the quasi-documentary approach that lend authenticity to the setting. The sparse use of music serves as a counterpoint to occasional running gags, while the visual framing and set design sustain a consistent aesthetic. Overall, the sensory elements effectively support the film’s ironic and humanistic tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film presents subtleties that may reward subsequent viewings. The layered humor and interplay of comedy and tragedy reveal new shades upon revisiting key scenes, and the minimalist presentation encourages attention to thematic detail. Some viewers may find the pacing less conducive to repeated watches, but others appreciate the lasting resonance of its quiet moral stance. Ultimately, the film offers sufficient depth to merit further exploration.

Plot

The Other Side of Hope Plot Summary

What happens in The Other Side of Hope from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Helsinki, the story unfolds with Waldemar Sakari Kuosmanen, a traveling shirt salesman who has a heated argument with his wife, leading him to abandon her. Determined to change his life, he liquidates his remaining stock and gambles his earnings during a poker game, where fortune smiles upon him as he wins a substantial sum. With his newfound wealth, he takes a bold step and purchases a restaurant, but his three employees are initially skeptical of his strategies to breathe new life into their establishment.

Full summary

The whole story of The Other Side of Hope, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Other Side of Hope Box Office

The Other Side of Hope grossed $4.3 million worldwide. $183,943 came from the US and Canada and $4.1 million (96%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.3M

US & Canada
$183.9K
International
$4.1M
US & Canada 4% Rest of the world 96%
Videos

The Other Side of Hope Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 clip.

THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE - Janus Films Trailer
  • Teaser UK Spot
  • Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Other Side of Hope?

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 occupation does Waldemar have at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in The Other Side of Hope

36 cars on screen, including the 1970 Ford XL and the 1967 Ford Mustang.

All 36 cars
  • 1970 Ford XL in The Other Side of Hope 1970 Ford XL Main role
  • 1967 Ford Mustang in The Other Side of Hope 1967 Ford Mustang Important role
  • International Harvester Loadstar in The Other Side of Hope International Harvester Loadstar Important role
  • 1974 Porsche 911 Targa in The Other Side of Hope 1974 Porsche 911 Targa Important role
Details

The Other Side of Hope Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Den andre siden av håpet” and “Pakolainen”.

Also known as
  • Den andre siden av håpet
  • Pakolainen
  • 희망의 건너편
  • L'altro volto della speranza
  • L'Autre côté de l'espoir
  • El otro lado de la esperanza
  • O Outro Lado da Esperança
  • Po tamtej stronie
  • Другата страна на надеждата
  • Друга страна наде
  • Lys I Mørket
  • Die andere Seite der Hoffnung
+14 more
  • По ту сторону надежды
  • 希望的另一面
  • Umudun Öteki Yüzü
  • По той бік надії
  • Η Άλλη Όψη της Ελπίδας
  • Druhá strana naděje
  • Cealaltă parte a speranței
  • 希望在世界另一端
  • הצד האחר של התקווה
  • 希望在彼方
  • Cerības otra puse
  • Ljus i natten
  • 希望のかなた
  • อีกด้านหนึ่งแห่งความหวัง

Seen The Other Side of Hope?

FAQ

The Other Side of Hope FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Other Side of Hope, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Other Side of Hope?

The Other Side of Hope runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was The Other Side of Hope released?

The Other Side of Hope was released on December 1, 2017.

Who directed The Other Side of Hope?

The Other Side of Hope was directed by Aki Kaurismäki.

More films by Aki Kaurismäki

Who is in the cast of The Other Side of Hope?

The Other Side of Hope stars Sakari Kuosmanen as Waldemar Wikström, Sherwan Haji as Khaled and Kati Outinen as Vaatetusliikkeen omistajatar, among 17 credited actors.

How much did The Other Side of Hope make at the box office?

The Other Side of Hope grossed $4.3 million worldwide ($183,943 domestic, $4.1 million international).

How is The Other Side of Hope rated?

The Other Side of Hope has 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic, 69% on TMDB and 3.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Other Side of Hope have a post-credit scene?

No. The Other Side of Hope has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Other Side of Hope in?

The original language of The Other Side of Hope is Finnish.

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