Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩(4/5)
Sisu," a Finnish word impossible to translate, encompasses the white-knuckled courage that arises when all hope seems lost. This sentiment serves as the foundation for the movie's grizzled and silent protagonist, known as "The Immortal." As the opening scroll explains, he embodies the indomitable spirit that emerges in the face of death. In this action-packed film set during the waning days of World War II, The Immortal confronts a sadistic platoon of Nazis, showcasing his fearless determination. While movies like "The Expendables" require a team of badasses, Jorma Tommila's character is a one-man death squad.
After striking gold in the remote mountains of Finland, The Immortal unwittingly crosses paths with a group of opportunistic individuals seeking a meal ticket as the Allies close in. Suddenly, he is thrust back into the violent life he had left behind, forced to eliminate these relentless adversaries using every method he knows. And he certainly knows how to turn killing into an art form. The Immortal's canvas becomes the entire Finnish countryside, as he employs his mastery of chaos and unleashes mayhem upon his enemies.
This ruthless protagonist engages in underwater combat with a dozen adversaries without resurfacing for air. He clings to the undercarriage of military trucks, deftly maneuvering through minefields. He clings to the outside of a plane like a nightmarish specter, 20,000 feet above the ground. It's all just another day at the office for him. Like riding a bike, the ability to kill 100 people with bare hands never fades. It goes without saying that this film earns its well-deserved R rating.
Every character in "Sisu" speaks of The Immortal with a mix of awe and fear, reminiscent of Keanu Reeves' John Wick. He is something of a boogeyman—an unstoppable killing machine. Yet, this doesn't mean the path he treads is easy. It is this aspect that makes Jorma Tommila's character and performance so exceptional. He is not a superhero; he simply refuses to die. Enduring every injury and attack, he never diminishes the pain of a violent existence but remains steadfast in evading the grim reaper.
"Sisu" stands as one of the goriest action movies of the last decade, delivering an explosive torrent of blood, guts, and dismembered body parts. The film exhibits devilish creativity in its macabre set pieces and wastes no time diving headfirst into the action. It strikes the perfect balance, avoiding overstaying its welcome or veering too far into the harsh realities of war that would dampen the exhilaration of its over-the-top sequences. "Sisu" is both brutal and bonkers, offering a heaping dose of twisted fun.
Jalmari Helander's "Sisu" premiered as an official selection of Panic Fest 2023 and is set to hit theaters on April 28. Follow our ongoing coverage of the Midwest's coolest festival and share your thoughts on this gory action adventure on Twitter or in the Nightmare on Film Street Discord!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩(4/5)