Rendel

Rendel

Year: 2017

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: Finnish

CrimeFantasyAction

Revenge begets revenge. Rendel, a masked superhero, becomes blinded by his desire for revenge against a sinister criminal organization.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Rendel (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Rendel (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Mikkeli, Finland

Set in the Finnish city of Mikkeli, the story centers on VALA's operations and the local streets where crime and corporate power collide. The city provides a mix of urban spaces and intimate neighborhoods that witness the vigilante's rise. The atmosphere blends contemporary Finland with rainy, atmospheric scenery that frames the conflict.

📍 Mikkeli 🇫🇮 Finland 🏙️ City setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:55

Main Characters – Rendel (2017)

Meet the key characters of Rendel (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rendel / Rämö (Kris Gummerus)

A family man who becomes a masked vigilante after discovering VALA’s lethal, untested vaccine. He crafts the Rendel persona with a tar-based mask and biker jacket, driving his war against the organization. Resourceful and relentless, he channels grief into a relentless pursuit of justice, even as his methods raise moral questions.

🗡️ Vigilante 🏠 Family man 🧭 Dual identity

Pekka Erola (Matti Onnismaa)

The enigmatic head of VALA, a ruthless figure who fears exposure and whistleblowing. He orchestrates violence and maintains control through manipulation and fear. His awareness of higher-ups and his cryptic power play push the conflict toward a dangerous tipping point.

🔪 Villain 💼 Corporate 🧠 Manipulator

Rotikka / Jarno (Reino Nordin)

A brutal enforcer and the son who never earned his father’s love, loyal to the organization until the end. He accelerates the family tragedy by killing his own father and becoming a key instrument of VALA’s violence. His death marks a crucial turning point in Rendel’s war against the crew.

🪓 Enforcer 🧨 Family conflict 💼 Loyalist

Marla (Alina Tomnikov)

A mysterious ally who appears to aid Rendel at critical moments. Her presence hints at a deeper purpose, but it is later revealed that she may be a figment of Rendel’s imagination, illustrating the protagonist’s fragile grip on reality.

🧭 Mysterious ally 💭 Ambiguity 🧠 Psyche

Niina Heikkinen (Noora Kuusela)

A local reporter determined to expose VALA’s true nature. Her pursuit of the truth places her at risk as Rotikka abducts her to silence the story. She embodies journalistic courage and the power of transparency.

📰 Investigative 🗺️ Exposer 🕵️ Courage

Lahtaaja (Renne Korppila)

A brutal lieutenant within VALA who embodies the organization’s violence. He clashes with Rendel in a high-stakes confrontation, highlighting the escalation of the war between vigilante justice and corporate crime.

🗡️ Enforcer 🧭 Loyalist 💥 Antagonist

Kurikka (Tero Salenius)

A mid-level operative who helps connect internal threats to top leadership. He informs the downfall by reporting to his boss that Rämö defied orders, catalyzing the firing and the subsequent alienation that drives Rämö toward VALA.

🧭 Informant 🗒️ Connector 🕯️ Catalyst

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:55

Major Themes – Rendel (2017)

Explore the central themes of Rendel (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Vengeance

A masked avenger rises from personal tragedy to confront a ruthless corporate network. The story traces how Rämö’s quest for justice hardens into vigilante action, blurring lines between right and wrong. The pursuit is personal as much as it is about exposing VALA’s crimes.

💊 Corruption

The vaccine at the story’s core is a symbol of reckless corporate ambition and public harm. VALA’s façade as a legitimate company hides a deadly real agenda, with higher powers willing to cover up the consequences. Whistleblowing and investigations threaten the criminals, escalating the conflict.

🎭 Identity

Rendel’s transformation forces him to wear a literal mask and live a double life. The line between hero and monster is tested as his alter ego clashes with his human vulnerabilities. Imaginary and real allies blur, revealing how identity can be shaped by trauma and need for protection.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:55

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Grim Vigilante Stories Like Rendel

Stories where personal trauma fuels a brutal, morally ambiguous crusade.For viewers who liked the brutal, revenge-driven action of Rendel. This section features movies with similar themes of morally grey vigilantes, corporate or systemic corruption, and emotionally heavy journeys fueled by grief and trauma. If you want more films with high-intensity action and a dark, morally complex tone.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a profound personal tragedy that destroys the protagonist's life, triggering a descent into a violent, single-minded pursuit of revenge. The conflict is often against a powerful, faceless organization, and the story explores the psychological corrosion of the hero as they become consumed by their mission, leading to an uncertain or bleak resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core DNA of trauma-born vigilantism, a dark and gritty tone, and a focus on the heavy emotional and moral cost of revenge. They deliver a specific experience of high-intensity, often brutal action coupled with profound melancholy and psychological depth.

Rain-Soaked Gritty Action Movies Like Rendel

Action thrillers defined by their wet, oppressive urban landscapes and visceral violence.If you appreciated the oppressive, rain-drenched atmosphere and visceral action of Rendel, explore these similar films. This list features gritty action thrillers and neo-noirs where the wet, dark cityscape enhances the mood of violence and moral collapse, offering a consistent, atmospheric viewing experience.

rain-soakedgrittyneo-noiratmosphericurban decayvisceralbleak

Narrative Summary

The narratives in these films are frequently straightforward revenge or crime plots, but their power comes from the immersive atmosphere. The constant rain, neon-lit streets, and gritty textures create a world that feels cold, hostile, and inescapable, which amplifies the tension and brutality of the action sequences and the characters' desperation.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by a shared visual and atmospheric palette. The experience is defined by a specific mood of urban grimness, where the environment is as oppressive as the villains. The similarity is less about plot specifics and more about the consistent, visceral feel of a brutal world rendered in stark, wet darkness.

Unlock the Full Story of Rendel

Don't stop at just watching — explore Rendel in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Rendel is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Rendel Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Rendel, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Rendel Summary

Rendel Timeline

Track the full timeline of Rendel with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Rendel Timeline

Rendel Spoiler-Free Summary

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Rendel Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Rendel

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More About Rendel

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