Sisu & Sisu 2 — The Most Testosterone-Packed Movies I've Seen in a Decade
Todd breaks down both Finnish action films — Sisu (2022) and Sisu 2 (2025). Think Rambo meets John Wick, multiply the toughness by 10, and set it in the frozen Lapland at the end of World War II.
A lot of people haven't heard of these two. That needs to change.
Sisu came out in 2022. Sisu 2 dropped in 2025. They're Finnish films — but before you scroll past, know this: the US versions are in English, the action is absolutely insane, and I'd put these up against anything Hollywood has put out in the last ten years when it comes to pure, unfiltered man-movie energy.
Genre: Action / War | 2022 & 2025 | Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The Setup
The story takes place at the tail end of World War II in the Lapland region of Finland. You follow a character named Aatami Korpi — a retired Finnish special forces soldier who has seen enough war and just wants to be left alone. He heads out into the wilderness to look for gold. He finds it. And then, on his way back to civilization, he runs straight into a group of Nazis.
That's when all hell breaks loose. That's the whole plot. And it is perfect.
The Man Himself — Aatami Korpi
Think Rambo meets John Wick, then multiply the toughness by 10. That's Aatami.
In Sisu 1, he has exactly one line — at the very end of the movie. You don't miss him talking. Not once. The action does all the speaking. In Sisu 2, he has zero lines. None. And it works even better.
The character is played by Jorma Tommila, a Finnish actor who has been in several films. He is absolutely the right guy for this role. Cool, quiet, and completely believable as someone you would not want to cross under any circumstances.
Sisu vs. Sisu 2
Both films are great, but here's how they stack up:
Sisu (2022) — The original. Establishes the character, the world, and the tone. The violence is extreme by any standard, but it's purposeful. Every action sequence feels earned. The pacing is relentless and the ending is fantastic.
Sisu 2 (2025) — Picks up where the first left off. Aatami is going back to retrieve things from his past so he can finally move on. What I will say is that Sisu 2 is probably twice as violent as the first film. If you thought the original pushed it, the sequel takes it further. It's bigger, it's faster, and it doesn't let up.
What Makes These Movies Special
The pace. You won't realize it's over until it's over. These movies pull you in and don't let go. I didn't check my phone once. Not once.
The setting. The Lapland wilderness of Finland is a stunning backdrop — wide open, brutal, and cold. It adds to the feeling that this man is completely alone against everything.
The violence. I'll be straight with you: if you don't like violence, these are not your movies. But if you appreciate action that actually has weight to it — where every fight feels like it costs something — this is as good as it gets. Lots of death. Lots of it. And it's done well.
The silence. There's something almost mythological about a character who barely speaks. Aatami doesn't explain himself. He doesn't monologue. He just acts. In a world full of movies where characters narrate everything they're doing, this is genuinely refreshing.
The Ratings
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars. Both films. No hesitation.
Action / Violence: 5 stars. Some of the most intense action sequences I've ever seen on screen.
Attention Keeper: 5 stars. You are locked in from the first scene to the last.
Guy Movie Factor: Off the charts. This is the most testosterone-boosted movie experience I've had in probably 10 years.
The Verdict
A near-silent Finnish war veteran, a bag of gold, and a lot of Nazis who made the wrong choice. That's all you need. No filler, no Oscar-chasing, no checklist casting — just pure, relentless, brilliantly executed action filmmaking.
Sisu and Sisu 2 are the real deal. 5 out of 5. Watch both. Back to back if you can handle it.