Director: Jalmari Helander | Stars: Jorma Tommila, Stephen Lang
What the film is about
Set in 1946, the sequel follows Aatami Korpi, a man the story treats as practically immortal. He returns to Soviet-occupied Karelia to reclaim his ruined home and honour the memory of his murdered family. As Aatami hauls timber across hostile territory to rebuild, Soviet forces catch wind of him. A top KGB officer calls in Igor Draganov — the man who once destroyed Aatami’s life — and the hunt becomes a brutal showdown. What follows is a relentless road of revenge, blood and surprises.
Direction and screenplay
Jalmari Helander keeps the momentum tight. The screenplay is lean, with very few dialogues, relying on visuals and sound to carry emotion. Helander dials up the scale compared to the first film: bigger set pieces, imaginative stunts and a finale that saves some of his best for last. At times the film takes cinematic liberties that stretch believability, and a few choices feel excessive rather than essential.
Standout sequences
- Opening chase — immediate and tense.
- Airplane sequence — a crowd-pleaser with smart choreography.
- Tank scene at the border — one of the more inventive action beats.
Performances
Jorma Tommila carries the film with a near-wordless performance, communicating rage, grief and resolve almost entirely through expression and physicality. It’s a commanding turn that stays with you. Stephen Lang fits well as the antagonist and delivers the required menace, while Richard Brake makes an effective impact in a smaller role.
Music, visuals and technicals
The score by Juri Seppä and Tuomas Wäinölä propels the film where dialogue is scarce. Mika Orasmaa’s cinematography lends scale and atmosphere, and the action team comes up with stunts that feel fresh. Troll VFX’s work is solid, Pille Küngas nails the period look through costumes and production design, and Juho Virolainen’s editing keeps the pace sharp.
For whom it works — and where it stumbles
- Works for: Viewers who love brutal, imaginative action and bold visuals.
- Stumbles: Excessive gore at times and a few over-the-top cinematic flourishes that don’t add much to the story.
Final verdict
Brutal, visceral and visually striking, this sequel leans into high-concept action and a near-silent central performance to deliver a memorable experience. However, its hyper-violent tone and occasional implausibilities make it a niche watch. With limited awareness of the first film in India and a taste that caters mostly to hardcore action fans, its commercial prospects here look modest — but for those who enjoy uncompromising revenge cinema, it’s worth the ride.
