sisu 2 the road to revenge - my thoughts

Sisu 2: Road to Revenge Review – Bigger Action, But a Weaker Narrative

After the massive success of the first Sisu, a sequel was almost inevitable. The original film stood out because of its brutal action, relentless violence, and a protagonist who simply refused to give up. Naturally, I went into the second film expecting the same intensity.

One interesting thing I discovered only recently is that Sisu isn't a Hollywood production at all—it's actually a Finnish film. Despite that, it carries the scale and visual language of a major international action blockbuster.

Like its predecessor, the sequel is once again set during World War II. This time, the story follows a war veteran on a relentless journey to return to his hometown. His mission is deeply personal, and that emotional motivation becomes the driving force behind the narrative.

One noticeable change is the chapter-based storytelling. On paper, dividing the film into chapters sounds like an interesting creative choice. However, in execution, it didn't completely work for me. Instead of feeling like one continuous journey, the film often felt like a collection of action set pieces stitched together. Each chapter works individually, but the overall narrative flow never feels seamless.

Where the film unquestionably succeeds is its action.

The stunt choreography is exceptional, and every action sequence is designed with enough creativity to keep the audience engaged. There's a certain brutality to the fights that reminded me of the John Wick franchise. However, unlike John Wick, where every action sequence naturally grows from the story and the protagonist's motivation, Sisu 2 sometimes prioritises spectacle over storytelling.

The protagonist's goal is understandable. He wants to return home and rebuild his life, giving the film an emotional foundation. Unfortunately, I never felt completely invested in that journey because the screenplay spends more time delivering action than developing the narrative between those moments.

That doesn't make it a bad film. Far from it.

If you're an action enthusiast looking for creative stunt choreography, intense combat, and relentless violence, Sisu 2 delivers exactly what it promises. But if you're expecting a tightly written action thriller with a consistently engaging narrative, you may come away slightly disappointed.

Overall, I enjoyed the action far more than the story. It's an entertaining watch that occasionally loses momentum because of its fragmented screenplay.

Rating: (2.5/5)