Wrestling Uncensored co-host delivers passionate recommendation for brutal revenge thriller that channels The Expendables’ best instincts.
Johnny North closed out Wrestling Uncensored Episode 758 with an enthusiastic review of Sisu: Road to Revenge, the Finnish action sequel that’s currently in theatres. The professional wrestler and film enthusiast delivered high praise for director Jalmari Helander’s follow-up to 2022’s surprise hit Sisu, comparing it favorably to classic grindhouse action and highlighting its stripped-down storytelling.
A Different Kind of Action Film
“So Dave, big question for you. Have you seen the movie Sisu?” Johnny opened his review segment, immediately clarifying that this wasn’t the typical Hollywood blockbuster. “I haven’t heard of it.“ It’s on Netflix. So I recommend checking it out.”
The film, which premiered at Fantastic Fest in September 2025 before its October theatrical release in Finland and November 21st U.S. release through Screen Gems, represents Finnish cinema’s continued commitment to hard-edged action storytelling. With an €11 million budget—double that of the original—Sisu: Road to Revenge expands the saga of Aatami Korpi, “the man who refuses to die.”
“You remember the movie Machete, right?” Johnny asked co-host Dave Simon, referencing the 2010 Robert Rodriguez exploitation film they saw together in theaters. “Machete. We actually saw that in theaters together. Machete. One little movie. I think very much like that, an action kind of movie, not so much a comedy, a bit more intense, but a lot of action, a bit of gore.”
The Plot: Cold War Revenge
Set in 1946 Soviet-occupied Karelia, Sisu: Road to Revenge follows legendary Finnish commando Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) as he returns to his homeland to dismantle his family’s house and rebuild it somewhere safe in their honor. When the Red Army discovers his arrival, Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang)—the officer responsible for murdering Korpi’s family during World War II—returns with a singular mission: kill the Finnish hero by any means necessary.
“There’s the man on a crusade to get revenge,” Johnny explained. “And that’s pretty much the title of the movie. Sisu: Road to Revenge. And stars pretty much Sisu. This is like a Finnish hero who fought in World War II. And now it’s over. Now we’re more in the Cold War kind of thing. Soviet Union. And now he’s going after the person who took out his family.”
The casting of Stephen Lang—known for his intense performances in films like Avatar and Don’t Breathe—as the Soviet antagonist adds Hollywood gravitas to the Finnish production. Richard Brake rounds out the cast in an undisclosed role, bringing his experience from Game of Thrones and numerous genre films.
A Silent Warrior’s Journey
What sets Sisu: Road to Revenge apart from typical action fare is its commitment to visual storytelling over dialogue. Johnny emphasized this unique approach as one of the film’s greatest strengths.
“It’s fun in the sense that there’s not a lot of dialogue in this movie,” he noted. “Pretty much the dialogue that I pretty much told you, like how the setup, that’s pretty much all you get for the first couple of minutes. And then it’s just boom, action, next action scene, next action scene. There’s not a lot of talking.”
He continued with an observation that surprised even him: “If I’m not mistaken, like the main guy who plays Sisu, like I don’t think he says a word throughout the whole movie. So that’s a big thing. Like your main… Yeah, your main story.”
This bold creative choice—making the protagonist essentially mute—harkens back to classic action cinema where physical performance and violence tell the story. It’s a gambit that could have backfired, but instead creates what Johnny described as an “intense feeling” throughout the film’s runtime.
Finland’s Action Cinema Legacy
Director Jalmari Helander returns after the success of the original Sisu, which earned a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and became an international sleeper hit. Filmed in Estonia rather than the original’s Lapland setting, the sequel shifts from World War II Nazi-hunting to post-war Soviet territory, expanding the mythology while maintaining the brutal tone.
“Very peaceful, if I’m not mistaken,” Johnny said of Finland with a laugh, noting the irony of such violent cinema emerging from the Nordic nation. “But in this, it’s very much a war kind of base kind of movie and a lot of action. Again, gory kind of action at times too.”
The first film established Aatami Korpi as a legendary figure—a former commando turned gold prospector whose “sisu” (Finnish for extraordinary determination and courage) made him nearly unkillable. The sequel builds on this mythology as it transitions from one conflict to another, maintaining the character’s relentless nature against different enemies.
Not Your Typical Hero Film
Johnny drew an important distinction between Sisu: Road to Revenge and conventional action movies, particularly superhero films that dominate the genre.
“But I enjoyed just the kind of intense feeling and just a different kind of feeling too. You don’t have the whole there’s the hero and he’s got to go save people. No, this is just a guy who’s just trying to survive and start to finish. And then he has some guy who’s trying to take him out, and he finds out about him. And then he’s got his new path for revenge. Go take him out.”
The stripped-down narrative—man hunts man, man becomes hunted, man strikes back—provides clarity often missing in modern action cinema’s convoluted plotting. “Well, it’s pretty much just straightforward. Go in there, take out the bad guy, and just live your life,” Johnny summarized.
This simplicity extends to the film’s structure and pacing. Without lengthy exposition sequences or complicated subplots, Sisu: Road to Revenge maintains the forward momentum from the opening to the climax.
The Expendables Connection
Perhaps Johnny’s most intriguing comparison came when he likened Sisu: Road to Revenge to what The Expendables franchise attempted but never quite achieved.
“I also got the feel. It’s a kind of remembrance, like how the Expendables, I think, tried to be. It feels a lot like that. It’s not so much more of a team, but more of a go in there and destroy everything kind of movie.”
The original 2010 Expendables promised a return to 1980s-style action excess—practical effects, high body counts, and straightforward plots. While commercially successful, many critics and fans felt Sylvester Stallone’s franchise never fully embraced the grindhouse aesthetic it promised. Sisu, by contrast, delivers on that promise without compromise or self-awareness.
“I mean, the original was this, and now it’s the sequel in theaters. But I mean, the original kind of played the same kind of thing. The original was actually during World War. So you saw Nazis back then,” Johnny explained, providing context for newcomers to the franchise.
Violence and Viewing Recommendations
Johnny was emphatic about the film’s extreme content, repeatedly warning that Sisu: Road to Revenge is not appropriate for children.
“Not with the kids, though, because very, very violent. Not good for kids,” he cautioned initially. Later, he reiterated: “And now it’s pretty much a hunt. But he’s being hunted first now. Sisu, he doesn’t know yet, but he’ll find out that this guy was after him and what he did. So it’s quite violent.”
The violence serves the story rather than existing solely for shock value. Set during the brutal aftermath of World War II, with Soviet forces occupying Finland and settling old scores, the film’s gore reflects historical reality. The Red Army’s reputation for ruthlessness and the Finnish resistance’s desperate determination create a context where extreme violence becomes narratively justified.
“Revenge and that’s the name of the movie, by the way—Road to Revenge. A lot of violence from start to finish,” Johnny emphasized, ensuring viewers understand precisely what they’re getting into.
What Makes It Work
Despite—or perhaps because of—its simplicity, Sisu: Road to Revenge succeeds where more ambitious action films fail. Johnny identified several key elements that elevate the material:
The atmosphere: “Again, I just love how it was kind of cold at times, and it felt kind of gritty and kind of awkward, too, where it’s like there’s no talking at all. It’s just the guy’s just going straight and there’s just absolute action and start to finish.”
The pacing: Unlike modern blockbusters that stretch to two-and-a-half or three hours, Sisu: Road to Revenge maintains efficiency. The lack of dialogue naturally tightens the runtime while maintaining high tension.
The tone: “Simple movie, but it works,” Johnny concluded. In an era of overly complex franchises that require homework to understand, a straightforward revenge tale offers refreshing clarity.
Continuity and Accessibility
For viewers unfamiliar with the first film, Johnny recommended watching both for maximum impact.
“So I mean, the first one is good, too. The first one would help you understand the second one. So I recommend that Netflix,” he advised.
However, the sequel’s self-contained revenge plot makes it accessible even without prior knowledge. The opening provides sufficient context about Korpi’s legendary status and his family’s fate, allowing new viewers to jump in while rewarding those who’ve followed the character’s journey from the beginning.
The transition from Nazi Germany to Soviet occupation mirrors historical reality—Finland fought against both powers during World War II, first repelling Soviet invasion in the Winter War (1939-40), then fighting alongside Germany against the USSR in the Continuation War (1941-44), before turning against German forces in the Lapland War (1944-45). This complex history provides rich material for action storytelling while educating international audiences about lesser-known aspects of World War II.
The Dave Simon Connection
The review segment showcased the easy rapport between Johnny North and Dave Simon, with the pair’s shared history adding depth to the discussion. When Johnny mentioned seeing Machete together in theaters, it highlighted their long friendship beyond professional collaboration.
Dave’s bemusement at the film’s premise—particularly the protagonist’s silence—created organic humor without undermining Johnny’s enthusiasm. “It makes sense,” Dave agreed when told the film was Finnish, acknowledging how different European sensibilities can produce action films unlike American products.
Their exchange about Sisu also served as a palate cleanser after extensive wrestling discussion, demonstrating the hosts’ range beyond combat sports while maintaining the conversational tone that defines Wrestling Uncensored.
Theatrical Release and Streaming Plans
Sisu: Road to Revenge is currently in theaters following its November 21, 2025 theatrical release through Screen Gems. The film is not currently streaming on Netflix as Johnny mentioned during the podcast—he appears to have been mistaken or referring to the original 2022 Sisu film.
According to multiple sources, the sequel is available for streaming simultaneously with its theatrical release on Apple TV (Apple TV+ costs $12.99/month). The film received a limited theatrical rollout in approximately 2,100 locations across the United States.
“It’s on Netflix. So I recommend checking it out,” Johnny said, though this information was incorrect at the time of recording. The confusion is understandable, given that the original Sisu (2022) eventually arrived on Hulu in August 2025—three years after its theatrical release.
Industry analysts predict Sisu: Road to Revenge will likely follow Sony’s typical digital release window, becoming available for purchase/rental on VOD platforms (Amazon Prime Video, etc.) within 4-5 weeks of theatrical release, likely late December 2025 or early January 2026.
As for streaming subscription services, the film is expected to arrive on Hulu first (approximately 3 months post-theatrical, around February 2026) and may eventually reach Netflix later under Sony’s existing distribution deal with the platform. However, no official Netflix release date has been announced.
The original Sisu earned approximately $14 million worldwide on a modest budget, demonstrating audience appetite for well-crafted action beyond Hollywood’s formulas. The sequel’s expanded €11 million budget and broader distribution through Screen Gems (replacing Lionsgate) suggest confidence in the franchise’s growth potential.
Critical Reception and Industry Impact
While Sisu: Road to Revenge hasn’t accumulated the review count of its predecessor at the time of this writing, early responses from Fantastic Fest were enthusiastic. The original film’s 94% Rotten Tomatoes score set high expectations, with critics praising its commitment to practical action and straightforward storytelling.
The franchise’s success has implications for international action cinema more broadly. Finnish films rarely achieve significant international distribution, making Sisu‘s two-film run with major studio backing (first Lionsgate, now Sony) noteworthy. It demonstrates that audiences will embrace foreign-language action films if they deliver on genre fundamentals.
Director Jalmari Helander has expressed interest in continuing the series if audience demand justifies it. In interviews, he’s suggested ideas for further adventures requiring Korpi’s “particular set of skills,” leaving the door open for a franchise that could rival John Wick in longevity if each installment maintains quality.
Johnny’s Final Verdict
When Dave Simon asked for Johnny’s bottom-line assessment, the wrestler-turned-commentator didn’t hesitate.
“Again, I just love how it was kind of cold at times, and it felt kind of gritty and kind of awkward, too, where it’s like there’s no talking at all. It’s just the guy’s going straight, and there’s just absolute action from start to finish. Simple movie, but it works.”
That endorsement—”simple movie, but it works”—captures both the film’s appeal and Johnny’s reviewing philosophy. As someone who works in professional wrestling, an industry that lives or dies on fundamental storytelling executed well, Johnny appreciates craftsmanship over complexity. Sisu: Road to Revenge delivers precisely what it promises: a silent warrior’s brutal path through enemies, nothing more, nothing less.
“So there it is. Johnny North’s movie review,” Dave concluded, wrapping the segment before discussing upcoming Wrestling Uncensored plans.
Where to Watch
Theatrical: Sisu: Road to Revenge is currently playing in select theaters across the United States (limited release in approximately 2,100 locations). Check AMC Theatres, Fandango, Atom Tickets, Cinemark, Cinepolis Cinemas, Harkins Theatres, and Marcus Theatres for showtimes.
Streaming: Available now on Apple TV ($12.99/month or $99/year)
Coming Soon:
- Digital rental/purchase (estimated late December 2025/early January 2026)
- Hulu (estimated February 2026)
- Netflix (TBA – likely later in 2026)
Original Film: Sisu (2022) is currently streaming on Hulu
Viewer Advisory: As Johnny emphasized multiple times, these films contain extreme violence and are not appropriate for children. The graphic nature of the action sequences—while stylized—depicts realistic wartime brutality that may disturb some viewers.
Wrestling Uncensored Continues
Johnny North’s movie reviews have become a popular segment on Wrestling Uncensored, providing fans with entertainment recommendations beyond combat sports. His perspective as both a performer and film enthusiast offers unique insights, particularly regarding action cinema and physical storytelling—elements central to both movies and professional wrestling.
Previous reviews have covered everything from mainstream blockbusters to genre deep cuts, with Johnny’s honest, enthusiastic approach resonating with audiences tired of overly academic film criticism. His Sisu: Road to Revenge review exemplifies this style: direct assessment, clear recommendations, and genuine passion for well-executed action.
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