Netflix drops movie with 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating that’s ‘like John Wick Vs Nazis’
You can add this one to the watchlist.
Streaming gods Netflix have just added a new film to their remarkably well-stocked line-up, one that’s generated significant buzz among critics and audiences since its initial release.
That film? 2022’s Sisu, an outlandish and ludicrously violent Finnish action-war movie that really, really doesn’t mess about.
It’s amassed an impressive 94% approval rating on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic describing the brutal 91-minute flick as reminiscent of ‘if Quentin Tarantino directed a Clint Eastwood western.’ With everything centring around a main character that’s been likened to a cross between John Wick and Rambo.
So don’t expect a deep and moving character study, eh…?
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Set against the backdrop of World War II in 1944, Sisu follows the story of Aatami Korpi, played with grit and gusto by the Finnish actor Jorma Tommila. A solitary prospector in the remote wilderness of Lapland, one day Aatami unearths a substantial amount of gold.
His journey to return home with this newly-discovered treasure is interrupted by a retreating Nazi platoon that quickly decides to half-inch Aatami’s new-found mineral haul.
Unbeknown to – and unluckily for – them, their mugging victim just so happens to be a rather dangerous former commando with a fearsome reputation.
Sisu boasts an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes (Picture: Lionsgate)Hitler’s idiots make off with the gold, but they soon discover it was a rather daft thing to do. Given that it leads to a relentless pursuit of them and a series of violent and bloody confrontations. All as our hero strives to reclaim what’s rightfully his (gold prospecting in 1940’s northern Finland being subject, of course, to the universal law of ‘Finders, Keepers’).
The film’s title, Sisu, is a Finnish term that embodies the concept of extraordinary determination in the face of overwhelming odds. It’s not a term that has a direct translation in English.
Although to try and imagine what it’s supposed to represent, think of someone who’s able to open up a grab bag of salt & vinegar Discos and save some for later on instead of just eating them all in under 30 seconds.
There’s gold in them there Finnish hills, y’hear?! (Picture: Lionsgate)This theme of courage and resilience is pretty central to the film’s basic butadmittedly quite stirring narrative, as Aatami’s unyielding resolve drives the plot ever forward, showcasing his impressive tenacity against formidable, cruel and well-dressed adversaries.
Directed by Jalmari Helander, known for his work on the equally entertaining 2010 Christmas horror-comedy Rare Exports, the film features a cast that includes Aksel Hennie as SS officer Bruno Helldorf, Jack Doolan as Wolf and Mimosa Willamo as Aino.
Upsetting the Land Girls was Hitler’s biggest mistake (Picture: Lionsgate)The performances, particularly Tommila’s portrayal of Aatami, are noticeably good, bringing as they do a fair amount of depth to the characters. Something which is no mean feat amid so many high-octane action sequences and a pretty limited run time.
While Sisu isn’t based on a true story per se, it does draw plenty of inspiration from a few real historical events, specifically in its setting – The Lapland War between Finland and Nazi Germany.
The character of Aatami Korpi is heavily influenced by real-life Finnish sniper hero Simo Häyhä, a decorated soldier nicknamed – rather coolly – The White Death.
A man who’s credited with over 500 Russian kills during WWII’s Winter War (not bad considering it barely lasted three months).
Might try panning for gold in the Thames at the weekend. It’s worth a go, innit? (Picture: Lionsgate)Okay, so the film takes a number creative liberties, resulting in a fair few historical and scientific inaccuracies.
But go in remembering that it’s not a BBC Four documentary and these deviations serve only really to enhance the intensity of the thing and should be embraced as part of the film’s stylistic choices and a contribution to its unique charm. Basically, yes – none of it’s very likely to have happened. Get over it.
Viewers loved it on its release three years ago, praising Sisu for its thrilling action sequences, distinctive style and compelling storytelling.
One fan described it as ‘a gory grindhouse good time’ and a movie that ‘should satisfy almost anybody who’s wondered what it might look like if John Wick went up against Nazis.’
Don’t worry. The dog doesn’t die in it (Picture: Lionsgate)Critics also responded positively. David Stratton of The Australian said: ‘It’s all very silly, but it’s so over-the-top that it becomes blissfully entertaining.’
Similarly, Sandra Hall of the Sydney Morning Herald wrote: ‘It’s lavishly embellished with blood and gore. Talk about a guilty pleasure.’
It’s also worth pointing out that this film was made on a shoestring budget. How the filmmakers made this impressive action thriller and balanced the books with just £5m available to them is a minor miracle.
If Finland ever flirts with recession or economic struggles, the suits in Helsinki could do worse than appointing Sisu director Jalmari Helander to run their Treasury.
Sisu is available to stream on Netflix now.
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