753 Finnish Films to Watch Now

Ariel

1988 • 73 min

Comedy, Drama, Romance

After his father's suicide and the closure of the mine where he worked, a Finnish man travels to the city in search of employment.

7.1

7.4

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Shadows in Paradise

1986 • 74 min

Comedy, Drama, Romance

Nikander, a garbage collector in a busy city, wants to build a better life for himself. His plans are derailed when his business partner dies suddenly. Grieving and unsure of what to do, Nikander meets Ilona, a cashier at the…

7.3

7.4

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Rikas tyttö

1939 • 80 min

A wealthy young woman becomes romantically involved with a dock worker.

4.7

5.2

Ruuvit löysällä

1989 • 97 min

Things quickly spiral out of control. Reporter Otto Miinalainen is interviewing a dairy owner on his 50th birthday when the man is discovered dead in a butter churn. A dangerous killer is back, targeting those celebrating birthdays.

4.0

3.7

Drifting Clouds

1996 • 97 min

Comedy, Drama

Ilona, a woman known for her calm demeanor, suddenly loses her job as a restaurant hostess in Helsinki. Her husband, Lauri, a tram driver, is also now unemployed. Together, they struggle with the difficulties of being out of work and…

7.6

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The Subtenant

2008 • 104 min

This is a comedic story centered on blackmail, an illegal kidney transplant performed in a private residence, unconventional characters, and complicated relationships.

4.5

4.3

The Leaning Tower

2006 • 96 min

A middle-aged mental patient with a split personality goes to Italy, where the contrasting aspects of his psyche create a series of complicated and unpredictable events.

5.5

5.6

For the Living and the Dead

2005 • 99 min

A typical suburban family is devastated when their youngest son dies in a house fire, trapped inside their car in the yard. Mother Marja is overwhelmed with grief, while father Jaakko is unable to cry and blames himself for the…

5.7

6.7

Kahdeksas veljes

1971 • 82 min

Jalmar Riivatsalo is an advertising executive striving for success in both his personal life and his career.

5.1

5.0

Stripping

2002 • 76 min

Photographer Inka and her family embark on a trip to the legendary Fountains of Love. Inka abruptly departs her fiancé Jonah mid-dinner, leaving their home without explanation.

3.8

4.9

Il Capitano: A Swedish Requiem

1991 • 110 min

Based on a true story from 1988 in Sweden, the film centers on a Finnish couple who murdered a young boy and his parents after the family intervened when they tried to steal the boy's bicycle. The story explores the…

6.1

6.3

Harbour Brothers

2004 • 99 min

In 1950s Finland, the port city of Kotka became a hub for international sailors who brought with them the sounds of jazz, swing, and blues. A group of young men, passionate about music and unafraid to take risks, decide to…

5.2

5.7

The Handcuff King

2002 • 94 min

In winter, 1970s Tornio, a village on the Finland-Sweden border, Esko faces numerous difficulties. He's fallen out with his gang.

5.9

6.3

Beauty and the Bastard

2005 • 102 min • Budget $1M

Music, Romance, Drama

Nelli's parents have carefully mapped out a successful future for her, but she yearns to be a singer. She seeks out a young hip hop artist named Sune in a studio, asking for his help in creating a demo tape.

6.2

6.5

Joulubileet

1996 • 84 min

Newly released from prison, Mike and his friends throw a Christmas party under unusual circumstances. Packed with sharp dialogue and unexpected turns, this story is guaranteed to surprise and amuse.

7.0

6.9

Levoton veri

1946 • 91 min

After her child is killed by a bus, Sylvi drinks poison and becomes blind. Her husband then develops an unwanted desire for her younger sister. Following a risky surgery to restore her sight, Sylvi hides her improved vision behind dark…

4.9

6.7

Juha

1937 • 101 min

In 18th-century Eastern Finland, farmer Juha has taken in and married an orphan girl, Marja. A Karelian trader named Shemeikka visits the farm and begins pursuing Marja, enticing her to elope with him.

4.7

6.7

Three in Love

2008 • 100 min

Tomi is torn between loving two women, creating a difficult situation for his wife Maria, who must confront the reality that Tomi considers her his greatest love.

2.6

5.0

When the Heavens Fall…

1972 • 100 min

A psychotherapist's life falls apart when a tabloid newspaper reveals details of her personal life.

6.1

6.7

Purge

2012 • 125 min • Budget $3M

Drama, History

During Stalin's Great Terror, Aliide endured immense hardship. Decades later, living in isolation, she encounters Zara, a young woman who has just escaped from Russian mafia sex slavery. Both survivors, Aliide and Zara begin to explore their pasts, and their…

6.8

7.1

Lakeuden kutsu

2000 • 98 min

Erkki Hakala, a businessman who spent years in Florida, returns to Ostrobothnia and purchases a metal workshop in Jalasjärvi with his partner Taisto Matsomppi. The sellers are the mysterious Partanen brothers. Erkki longs for his wife Kaisu, who remained in…

5.5

5.9

Umur

2002 • 102 min

Umur is a love story deeply rooted in the landscape of Lapland. It follows Poika, a young border guard portrayed with sensitivity by Heikki Rantanen, as he develops a passionate love for Umuri, a mysterious woman from the region.

5.8

5.5

Romanovin kivet

1993 • 94 min

This action thriller from Finland follows two friends who seek revenge on the millionaire who betrayed them. Patrick and Tony are hired by the wealthy gambler to steal the priceless Romanov stones, Russian jewels. They succeed, but narrowly escape with…

5.3

4.9

Euthanizer

2017 • 85 min • Budget $350K

Thriller, Drama, Comedy

Euthanizer follows a mechanic who works as an animal euthanasia specialist. He cares deeply for the animals he helps. His quiet life is disrupted when the owner of a dog he was told was dying discovers the dog is still…

6.5

6.7

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The Home of Dark Butterflies

2008 • 108 min

Haunted by a difficult past and unsure about what lies ahead, fourteen-year-old Juhani is sent to The Island, a remote boys' home. After six years spent moving between foster homes, he's lost any sense of stability. At The Island, Juhani…

5.9

6.8

Romanssi

2014 • 86 min

A woman encounters a man who claims they met eleven years prior and asks her out. She has no memory of him, and while she tries to recall potential past encounters, he doesn't match any of them. Intrigued, she begins…

3.0

4.4

Takapihan sankarit

1992 • 57 min

"Impression from the moment when a child realizes that childhood is transient" follows the story of its backyard heroes. The film combines episodes from Merima Aspa's two works, set in an unnamed town recovering from war. The costumes and sculptures…

7.0

4.7

Routasydän

1993 • 83 min

Against a backdrop of Finland's troubled path to European Union membership – a nation struggling with poverty, energy shortages, and civil unrest – a divorced university teacher seeks refuge at his summer cottage with his children and a neighbor. His…

6.0

5.4

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Where Is Where?

2009 • 55 min

*Where is Where?* is an experimental film that divides the screen to show four different scenes at once. It's a story about the Algerian war, ending with a violent act.

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6.7

The Song of the Scarlet Flower

1938 • 110 min

After a falling out with his father, Olavi departs his family farm and embraces a life as a womanizing logger.

5.7

6.8

Vartioitu kylä 1944

1978 • 100 min

During the summer of 1944, long-range reconnaissance soldier Jaakko Tulivaara returns to his family and girlfriend Anna for a respite in his village in Kainuu. The village, near the Soviet border and the active war zone, is secured by a…

3.3

5.4

The Year of the Hare

1977 • 129 min

Vatanen, a young advertising executive, abruptly leaves his job and Helsinki to live in the Finnish wilderness. He befriends a wounded hare who becomes his companion. They seek solitude in Finnish Lapland, but their peace is disrupted by boisterous tourists…

7.3

7.5

Preludes to Ecstasy

1961 • 107 min

Sten Lehtoja, a married businessman in his middle years, picks up a young hitchhiker named Elsie on his way to his summer house. She stays the night, and they begin an affair. Later that summer, Elsie also starts an affair…

4.0

5.7

Commando Assault

1963 • 106 min

Years after the war, Lieutenant Takala reunites with his fellow soldiers from the 20th division. The film interweaves their present-day meeting with recollections of the summer of 1944.

6.0

7.0

Dog Nail Clipper

2004 • 105 min

During World War II, young soldier Mertsi sustains a permanent brain injury. In the late 1940s, he drifts through the Finnish countryside, needing assistance with everyday tasks. While working with a colleague named Ville, Mertsi hears about Ville's intelligent Spitz…

6.7

6.8

Inspector Palmu's Error

1960 • 109 min

Comedy, Crime

A renowned tycoon is found dead in his bathtub, prompting a complex investigation by Lieutenant Palmu. The wealthy world surrounding the tycoon's mansion hides a network of secrets and lies. Palmu must navigate the relationships and hidden agendas of those…

7.1

7.7

The Swan and the Wanderer

1999 • 117 min

The film chronicles the collaboration between two highly popular Finnish singer-songwriters, Tapio Rautavaara and Repe Helismaa, a partnership that eventually fractured after a prolonged period of tension. Spanning the years 1949 to 1965, the film offers a glimpse into the…

7.1

6.6

Jade Warrior

2006 • 105 min

Fantasy, Action

In ancient China, a man struggles against fate, yearning for a second chance to be with someone he loves. He unexpectedly finds that opportunity in modern-day Finland, transported to a different world and time.

5.0

5.8

13+

No poster

Kyläraittien kuningas

1945 • 80 min

Laikan Otto meets a beautiful woman at the market and falls in love with her. He later discovers she is Elina, the daughter of the wealthy Orttenmaa family. Elina reciprocates his feelings but refuses to marry someone of lower social…

5.0

5.3

Kymmenen riivinrautaa

2002 • 108 min

Rauno Rämekorpi is celebrating his 60th birthday, a milestone marked by his recent appointment as an Industrial Counsellor and a commissioned biography. Following the festivities, Rämekorpi instructs a taxi driver to dispose of the celebratory flowers at the landfill. However,…

3.9

5.1

Lapin kullan kimallus

1999 • 116 min

In 1860s Lapland, former California gold prospectors Jakob Ervast and Nils Lepistö travel north in search of wealth. They strike gold at their first dig, a discovery that also attracts the attention of Prince Konrad Planting of Kittilä and Edvard…

6.2

5.9

Girl of Finland

1967 • 90 min

A theater group rehearses for *Lapualaisooppera*, spending time together and discussing their lives. The group's interactions include discussions of intimate topics, leading to Tenu becoming pregnant by Hessu.

5.9

6.3

Tatu and Patu: An Oddsville Christmas

2016 • 75 min

In the peculiar world of Oddsville, a young girl and her two friends are excited to celebrate Christmas together. However, when she's delayed at the train station, they decide to explore on their own. This leads to a series of…

4.7

6.1

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Leikkikalugangsteri

1969 • 96 min

In Finland, toy manufacturers Jim King and Krakström are rivals in a cutthroat industry. King's company is thriving, leading him to engage in tax fraud with the assistance of his chamberlain. Both manufacturers then enlist the services of gangster boss…

5.4

5.3

Liian iso keikka

1986 • 107 min

Nikolai Savitsenko, known as Nig, leads Crimes for You Ltd. His team includes Hikka, Pete, and Nig's sister Mandi. As they plot a major heist – robbing a bank's cash transport – the group continues their typical scams. These include…

5.0

5.8

Lunastus

1997 • 78 min

In a remote Eastern Finnish village in 1918, Patrick has spent five years tending to the local chaplain, teacher, and doctor. The isolated life has left him feeling profoundly lonely and hardened by relentless work.

4.0

6.3

Julisteiden liimaajat

1972 • 83 min

Erkki contemplates the artistic side of a political upheaval.

4.0

4.4

The Earth Is a Sinful Song

1973 • 108 min

Set in Finnish Lapland in the late 1940s, this is a raw and sensual story about young Martta and Oula, a charming but irresponsible reindeer herder. Their passionate affair leads to unexpected pregnancy. When Martta's father discovers the truth, he…

6.6

6.8

17+

Herra Huu – jestapa jepulis penikat sipuliks

1973 • 70 min

Mister Who, a lonely ghost, wanders off frightening orphaned children in this Finnish musical for kids.

8.0

6.7

Marja pieni!

1972 • 81 min

Marja Maronen, a 30-year-old office worker focused on finding love and success, experiences a life-altering crisis following her father's death. This event profoundly impacts her relationships and professional life.

3.3

5.4

Marraskuun harmaa valo

1993 • 78 min

While on vacation in Tallinn with his wife, Finnish businessman Kari Syysmäki is confronted in their hotel room by a young man with a gun. The young man claims to be fleeing the police after accidentally shooting a bank clerk…

5.8

5.6

Kaikenlaisia karkulaisia

1981 • 88 min

This is a lighthearted comedy about a group of convicts who manage to escape from prison.

4.2

3.6

The Good Son

2011 • 88 min

A young man's world starts to unravel when his mother develops an unexpected affection for someone she meets at a party.

4.7

5.9

Voi juku – mikä lauantai

1980 • 82 min

Comedy

Two women take a road trip for a break from their everyday lives, experiencing laughter, surprises, and a deeper connection. Their contrasting personalities create humorous moments as they travel, facing challenges like flat tires and unfamiliar places. Along the way,…

2.4

4.1

Naisen logiikka

1999 • 70 min

This Finnish comedy, which had a very limited release, reached fewer than 400 viewers when it was first shown. It has not been broadcast on television or released for home viewing since its initial run.

2.8

3.3

Olet mennyt minun vereeni

1956 • 102 min

Haunted by her past, Rea revisits the pivotal moment that shaped her life. As she navigates adulthood, Rea finds herself caught between two men: composer Tauno Tarras and sea captain Erkki.

5.3

6.8

Ruskan jälkeen

1979 • 114 min

The film chronicles a year in the life of a family living in the Finnish North. It follows them from the dark winter months through to the celebrations of a Midsummer wedding.

4.0

5.2

Ihmemies

1979 • 103 min

Olli Ruusunen underwent advanced training in the United States that pushed his cognitive abilities to their absolute limit.

6.0

5.2

Moomins and the Comet Chase

2010 • 77 min

One day, Moomintroll discovers grey dust covering everything in the Moominvalley. He asks Muskrat what's happening, and Muskrat warns him it often precedes a disaster from the sky. With his father Moominpappa and friends Sniff and Snufkin, Moomintroll builds a…

5.7

6.0

MP – minä pelkään

1982 • 83 min

During a summer vacation, a family's peaceful time is disrupted by a chaotic military exercise. As tensions rise, it seems war is imminent. But is this terrifying situation real, or is it a product of the family's own minds?

5.5

5.0

Yö meren rannalla

1981 • 84 min

Mikko, a middle-aged municipal architect, seeks refuge from his unsatisfying job and marriage by pouring his energy into renovating a historic seaside villa. During a summer party, Mikko and his wife Liisa host old friends: Erik, a divorced intellectual who…

3.8

6.3

Ambush

1999 • 123 min

Drama, War

In the summer of 1941, the film depicts Finland's military as its army prepares along the border with Russia. Lieutenant Eero Perkola leads a group of young soldiers awaiting orders for battle. Their assignment to scout the wilderness around Lieksa…

5.9

6.7

1944 The Final Defence

2007 • 117 min

In June 1944, the Soviet army launched a massive offensive and breached Finland's defenses on the Karelian Isthmus. Facing overwhelming odds, Finnish soldiers must find the resilience to continue fighting. The Battle of Tali-Ihantala, the largest battle in Nordic history,…

5.9

5.8

The Undressing

1986 • 90 min

While at a function, Minister Korkolainen unexpectedly reconnects with a former girlfriend. They spend the night together, talking about their shared history and current political issues.

4.2

4.7

Shades of Happiness

2005 • 103 min

This is a story exploring the complexities of human connection, focusing on themes of love and forgiveness.

4.7

5.6

Under the North Star

2009 • 193 min

This film is based on Väinö Linna's novel and is set against the backdrop of the Finnish Civil War.

6.4

6.9

Ursula

1986 • 117 min

Eighteen-year-old Ursula longs for adulthood, a future Mårten and Harri, both in their thirties, seem to avoid. She becomes involved as a drug courier for them.

3.0

4.2

Farewell, Mr. President

1987 • 87 min

Asko Mertanen, a waiter with a passion for firearms, becomes disillusioned with the state of affairs in Finland. Convinced that the only way to effect change is to assassinate the Finnish president, he begins to plan an attack.

5.8

6.6

Niskavuori

1984 • 120 min

Ilona, a young teacher, comes to a village in Tavastia and develops a relationship with Aarne, the wealthy owner of the Niskavuori farm, who is unhappy with his marriage. Their love affair becomes known publicly. Aarne's wife, Martta, who owns…

6.0

6.2

The Witch

1952 • 80 min

An archaeological team discovers the body of a young woman believed to be a witch, buried in a bog three centuries prior. Shortly after, a nude woman appears, causing the men in the nearby village to become obsessed and erratic.

6.1

6.3

Upswing

2003 • 99 min

Comedy

Katri and Janne embark on an unconventional journey, one their friends haven't taken before. Their destination is Jakomäki.

5.9

6.6

Noin 7 veljestä

1968 • 97 min

Lord von Wurstburg enjoys a life of luxury while imposing heavy taxes on the local peasants. His world is disrupted by the arrival of Sir William, the rightful heir to the estate. Meanwhile, the outlaw Robin Hood establishes a camp…

6.0

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Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailut

1969 • 87 min

Mikko Syvärinen, a TV studio organizer, unexpectedly finds fame as the comedian K. Ovimikko due to a string of unfortunate events. But as K. Ovimikko, his popularity declines when he transitions from door comedy to window comedy. His show is…

4.8

5.1

Nummisuutarit

1938 • 117 min

Set in rural Finland in the mid-1800s, this comedy follows Esko, a cobbler's son, as he accompanies Mikko Vilkastu to court Crete, the adopted daughter of a local man, with the intention of finding a wife. But their plans encounter…

—

6.1

The Land of Happiness

1993 • 61 min

A nostalgic comedy from the early 1960s, a time when tango was popular. Tenho, the "prodigal son," returns from unsuccessful experiences in the city to his parents' farm. He's initially ridiculed by the local men until he wins the affection…

6.2

6.8

Pelicanman

2004 • 90 min

A curious pelican transforms into a clumsy young man and quickly learns to speak by mimicking others. He befriends Emil and Elsa, two children who recognize their new neighbor, "Mr. Berd," as a bird in disguise. Mr. Berd finds work…

5.2

5.9

Rosa Was Here

1994 • 51 min

One morning, Rosa and her friends wake up to discover that everyone older than 13 has vanished. Rosa is turning 13 soon, and she and her friends decide to make the most of their remaining days with unrestrained joy.

5.6

5.4

Kuolema käy kuusi beessä

1993 • 55 min

A grandmother comes back from the afterlife to disturb her living relatives.

4.0

4.3

Laugh or Die

2018 • 103 min

Parikka, once Finland's most celebrated comedian, and his acting company face execution for crimes committed during the Finnish Civil War. Jaeger Lieutenant Nyborg, a fan of Parikka's work, believes they are being wrongly condemned and wants to save them. The…

6.2

6.7

14+

Stream on

No poster

Duty Free Marriage

1980 • 96 min

Romance, Drama, Comedy

This film follows Dini, who impulsively enters Sweden without his fiancée, Mari, sparking a series of life-altering events. Months later, a Finnish businessman named Pekka arrives in Budapest with a package and letter from Dini. Understanding the situation's importance, Pekka…

3.0

6.4

Home Sweet Home

2011 • 106 min

This is a story about an unlucky man whose life spirals out of control, a tense and realistic thriller exploring themes relevant to modern society.

6.2

6.0

Pohjan tähteet

1969 • 87 min

This comedy follows a small movie crew making a low-budget art film. Director Pohja is inexperienced, cinematographer Törrönen is a seasoned professional, and the leads, Igor and Merju, initially dislike each other despite playing lovers in the script. However, they…

6.8

6.0

Mother of Mine

2005 • 111 min • Budget $3M • Box office $2M

Drama, War

1943. With his father dead in the war, nine-year-old Eero is sent to Sweden to live with foster parents, joining thousands of other Finnish children seeking safety. Eero struggles to adjust, especially to his foster mother Signe’s coldness. Signe, grieving…

6.6

7.6

Juurakon Hulda

1937 • 88 min

Hulda, a determined woman from a poor rural background, moves to the capital and becomes a maid for Judge Soratie, a bachelor Member of Parliament. She’s diligent, practical, and begins attending evening classes. For years, she keeps her studies hidden…

6.1

6.5

Plainlands

1988 • 129 min

This late-80s comedy, adapted from a novel by Antti Tuuri, finds its humor in the traditions of northern Finland. While some cultural familiarity might enhance the experience, the film's strong performances and beautiful Finnish summer setting are universally appealing. The…

5.8

7.2

The Prodigal Son

1992 • 98 min

Esa, recently released from prison, begins earning money through muggings. One day, psychiatrist Lindström asks Esa for something unusual: to abuse him. Esa agrees, unaware of Lindström's harmful motives.

5.2

6.9

Letters to Father Jacob

2009 • 76 min

Drama

Newly released from prison, Leila takes a job assisting a blind pastor, Father Jacob. She sees his work answering letters from people in need as futile. However, when the letters cease arriving, Father Jacob is deeply affected, and Leila unexpectedly…

7.2

7.3

Putkinotko

1954 • 102 min

On a summer day in early 1900s Putkinotko, a lakeside village on Lake Saimaa, the Käkriäinens – Juutas and Rosina – are poor farmers struggling to support their ten children. To make ends meet, they run a liquor business alongside…

4.5

6.2

Back to the USSR

1992 • 110 min

Abandoned by his wife, Molla, and ostracized by his village for his communist beliefs, Reima Elo attempts suicide. At a pivotal moment, he is rescued by Vladimir, a man resembling Lenin who has traveled from Russia.

5.5

5.6

Prinsessa Ruusunen

1949 • 99 min

Princess Aurora is cursed by the evil Tuonettare and falls into a deep, hundred-year sleep. She can only be awakened by a kiss from a prince.

4.0

6.3

Pähkähullu Suomi

1967 • 84 min

This film hilariously exaggerates every stereotype about Finland, and goes even further. Released during Finland's 50th anniversary, it aims to present a funny, exaggerated version of the country to international audiences, while also playfully poking fun at some of Finland's…

5.5

6.1

Lauantaileikit

1963 • 73 min

This film follows a day in Helsinki during a single summer Saturday, capturing its music, dance, and musical performances.

2.8

5.6

Pölhölä

1981 • 87 min

Spede Productions presents a raucous comedy, perfect for fans of dark humor. The film is set in the village of Pölhölä, a place where the residents are exceptionally silly – even compared to the famously foolish people of Hölmölä. It's…

5.1

4.4

Harmagedon

1986 • 71 min

The world is ending.

7.0

6.8

Kuningas jolla ei ollut sydäntä

1982 • 92 min

The King Without a Heart is a fairytale about a cheerful king, his young daughter, and his beloved wife. Following his wife's unexpected death, the king is overcome with grief and wishes to have his heart removed. He transforms his…

5.5

5.6

Our Father…

1993 • 89 min

Juhani Haavisto comes home from a long time away to find his father, Eino, who is now confined to a wheelchair and suffering from dementia. This return forces Juhani to confront painful memories of childhood sexual abuse and violence.

4.0

6.7

Jon

1983 • 127 min

Jari, a timid and insecure man, flees to Norway after an altercation with his girlfriend. He finds work at a fish factory, where he encounters Heikki, another employee. But Jari's troubled past continues to haunt him in his new surroundings.

5.8

6.3

Hilmanpäivät

1954 • 77 min

Life in the quiet village is disrupted the night after a celebration when a fire starts. The cooperative manager and the fire chief ask the young judge, Heiki, to help put it out. However, the situation quickly becomes more complicated…

5.8

7.2

Radio tekee murron

1951 • 91 min

Ambitious young radio reporter Teräsvuori plans a staged burglary of the Helsinki Art Museum, recording it for a future broadcast with his friend Laakso. Their scheme is overheard by a group of actual criminals, who decide to use the same…

6.8

6.9

100

Sisters Apart

2008 • 101 min

Taru lives with her husband and their teenage daughter, Ninni. Their family is disrupted when Ninni is in an accident, and Ninni's biological mother, Eve – who is also Taru’s half-sister – arrives. The arrival of Eve brings a resurfacing…

5.4

5.2

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