Let’s be real for a second. If you were following the Finnish film scene back in 2017, the original Rendel felt like a total anomaly. It was this gritty, low-budget, DIY superhero flick that somehow punched way above its weight class. It wasn't trying to be Marvel. It was trying to be The Punisher by way of a cold, Nordic winter. Now, years after the first one carved out its cult following, we finally have Rendel 2: Cycle of Revenge, and it’s a bit of a wild ride to see how it actually turned out.
Jesse Haaja, the director who basically willed this character into existence from a childhood drawing, didn't just want a sequel. He wanted to blow the doors off the first one.
The production was a saga in itself. Honestly, there were moments where fans thought this movie was never going to see the light of day. Between financing hurdles, the global pandemic that stalled every indie project on earth, and the sheer scale of what they were trying to pull off in Finland, the wait felt eternal. But it exists. And it’s mean.
What Actually Happens in Rendel 2: Cycle of Revenge?
The story picks up the pieces of Rämö's shattered life. If the first movie was about the "birth" of this vigilante, this second installment is a deep dive into the absolute rot of his obsession. The titular "Cycle of Revenge" isn't just a cool-sounding subtitle; it’s basically the thesis of the whole movie. Rämö is still hunting down the remnants of the VALA corporation, but the stakes have shifted from personal vendetta to a broader, more systemic kind of violence.
Sean Pertwee joins the cast as the central antagonist, Smiley. If you know Pertwee from Gotham or Dog Soldiers, you know exactly the kind of gravitas he brings. He’s not a cartoon villain. He’s a calculated, terrifying presence that gives Rendel a run for his money.
The plot revolves around VALA’s new scheme to distribute a tainted vaccine—a plot point that feels a bit "on the nose" given when this was filmed, but it works to ground the superhero tropes in a sort of cynical, real-world corporate horror. Rendel is trying to stop them, obviously. But he’s not doing it because he’s a "good guy." He’s doing it because he’s a broken machine that only knows how to destroy.
A Change in Tone and Language
One thing that might surprise you? The language.
The first movie was primarily in Finnish. For Rendel 2: Cycle of Revenge, they made the jump to English. It’s a move clearly designed for the international market, aiming for that global VOD and streaming audience that devoured the first one on platforms like Shout! Factory. While some purists might miss the Finnish grit, the English dialogue actually helps bridge the gap for the international cast members like Pertwee and Bruce Payne.
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Payne is another legendary "genre" actor who shows up here. Seeing him and Pertwee in a Finnish superhero movie is surreal. It feels like a fever dream for fans of 90s cult cinema.
The cinematography has also taken a massive leap. While the first film relied heavily on shadows to hide a lack of budget, the sequel looks... expensive. Or at least, it looks like they knew exactly how to stretch every Euro. The colors are desaturated, the blood is darker, and the action choreography is significantly more fluid. It’s less "guy in a mask swinging wildly" and more "calculated urban warfare."
Why the Development Hell Actually Mattered
Indie sequels usually fall into a trap. They either try to do the exact same thing again with 10% more money, or they lose the soul of the original by going too "Hollywood."
Rendel 2: Cycle of Revenge escaped some of this by sheer stubbornness. Jesse Haaja has been vocal about the struggles of the production. At one point, they were filming in Mikkeli, Finland, dealing with freezing temperatures and a shooting schedule that would break most crews. This struggle is visible on screen. There’s a texture to the movie that you don't get in a polished, multi-million dollar studio production. It feels raw.
The film also addresses the psychological toll on the main character. Kristofer Gummerus returns as Rendel, and he looks exhausted. Not just "character" exhausted, but genuinely worn down. It adds a layer of authenticity to the role. He isn't a hero who recovers by the next scene. Every punch he takes seems to linger into the next act.
Breaking Down the Action
If you’re watching this, you’re here for the fights. Let’s talk about them.
- The Warehouse Scuffles: Classic Rendel. Tight spaces, brutal finishers, and a lot of environmental storytelling.
- The Smiley Confrontations: These are more psychological than physical at first, building the tension before the final blowout.
- The Gunplay: Unlike the first film which was very "brawl-heavy," this one incorporates more tactical elements. It feels like the character has evolved.
It’s worth noting that the film doesn't shy away from its comic book roots. Even though it’s grounded in a "real" world, there are still moments of heightened reality that remind you this started as a sketch in a notebook. The costume is sleeker. The mask looks more menacing. It’s a visual upgrade across the board.
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The Reality of the Finnish Film Industry
You have to understand how big of a deal this is for Finland. The country isn't exactly known for its masked vigilante movies. Usually, it's deadpan comedies or heavy wartime dramas. Rendel is a pioneer.
Because of that, the movie carries a lot of weight. It’s a proof of concept that Finland can produce genre cinema that travels. Even if you find the plot of Rendel 2: Cycle of Revenge a bit predictable at times—and let’s be honest, revenge stories usually are—the technical achievement is undeniable.
Critics have been split, as they usually are with cult sequels. Some love the expanded lore and the higher production values. Others miss the scrappy, underdog feel of the original 2017 release. But if you're a fan of the "Dark Hero" subgenre—think The Crow or Spawn—there is a lot here to enjoy. It fills a void that the bigger studios often ignore: the R-rated, uncompromising, slightly weird superhero movie.
Addressing the Long Gap Between Films
Seven years. That’s a long time to wait for a sequel. In that window, the entire landscape of superhero cinema changed. We went through the peak of the MCU and into the current era of "superhero fatigue."
Does Rendel 2: Cycle of Revenge suffer from this? Honestly, no. Because it doesn't feel like a modern superhero movie. It feels like a throwback to the mid-2000s gritty action films. It doesn't care about cinematic universes or setting up ten different spin-offs. It just wants to tell a story about a man who has lost everything and wants to make everyone else feel that same pain.
That singular focus is its greatest strength. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone. It’s a movie for people who like rain-slicked streets, leather jackets, and people getting punched in the face for their corporate crimes.
Key Takeaways for Viewers
If you're planning on diving into this one, keep a few things in mind. First, maybe re-watch the original or at least find a quick recap. The emotional beats of the sequel land much harder if you remember exactly what happened to Rämö's family in the first place.
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Second, pay attention to the sound design. The score is fantastic and does a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of setting the atmosphere. It’s oppressive and heavy, exactly like the Finnish winter it depicts.
Third, don't expect a "redemption" story. This is a movie about the cycle of revenge, and those cycles rarely end with everyone shaking hands and moving on. It’s a bleak film, but it’s a beautiful kind of bleak.
Final Steps for the Rendel Fan
The journey of Rendel is a masterclass in independent filmmaking. It’s about a creator who refused to give up on a character, even when the odds were stacked against him.
To get the most out of the experience, look into the "making of" stories. Haaja has been very transparent about the process on social media and in interviews. Knowing the blood, sweat, and actual tears that went into the production makes the final product much more impressive.
Check out the official trailers to get a sense of the new visual style, and keep an eye on international distribution. Depending on where you are in the world, it might be hitting different streaming platforms at different times. Supporting these kinds of indie genre films is the only way we get more of them. If we want movies that aren't just committee-designed blockbusters, we have to show up for the Rendels of the world.
Whether you love it or think it’s too dark, you can’t deny that Rendel 2: Cycle of Revenge is a singular vision. In a world of carbon-copy media, that’s worth a lot.
Go watch the first film if you haven't yet; it sets the essential groundwork for Rämö’s trauma. Then, find the sequel on your preferred VOD service to see how the Finnish vigilante’s story concludes. Finally, follow the director’s social media channels for behind-the-scenes insights into how they pulled off the stunts on such a limited budget.