Movies by Jalmari Helander

Jalmari Helander is a Finnish filmmaker who has made a name for himself with his distinctive brand of quirky, genre-blending cinema. Helander first gained attention with his surreal and unsettling short films, which showcased his talent for crafting atmospheric, visually-striking tales with a darkly humorous edge. This offbeat sensibility has carried over into Helander's feature work, which includes the acclaimed 2010 folk horror gem Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. A wholly unique spin on holiday-themed horror, Rare Exports blends Nordic folklore with a chilling narrative that subverts traditional yuletide tropes. Helander's penchant for blurring genre boundaries is also evident in films like the 2014 action-adventure Big Game, which cast Samuel L. Jackson as a U.S. president forced to survive in the Finnish wilderness. More recently, Helander has demonstrated his versatility with the 2022 World War II action drama Sisu, a gritty, adrenaline-fueled tale of one man's crusade for revenge. This film, along with Helander's upcoming Rambo prequel, showcase the director's ability to tackle different styles and tones while maintaining a distinctive visual and thematic stamp. Jalmari Helander is a singular cinematic voice, crafting films that are both gripping and unconventional.