Final Rating: 3.5/5
The Missile from Finnish director Miia Tervo is a thought provoking dramedy about the nature of war in the nuclear era and the lives of those in a northern Finnish town unexpectedly thrust into the midst of it.
Based on a true story, which took place in 1984, it stars Oona Airola as Niina, a mother who has recently left her abusive spouse, trying to make ends meet while looking after her two kids. When we’re introduced to her, she’s attempting to get a Christmas tree for her children; however, on her way home the trailer breaks loose from her car and smashes through the window of the local newspaper office. She apologizes, offering to do whatever work they might need to help settle this debt. The setting of Lapland’s vast frozen landscape is typical of many small, isolated villages in that most everyone seems to know everyone, and as the editor of the paper Esko (Hannu-Pekka Bjorkman) jokes, nothing happens there anyway…until it does.
While attending her sister Kaisa’a (Emma Kilpimaa) wedding Niina hears a strange sound as a Russian missile crashes into a lake nearby. After the festivities, they remain at the hotel to continue investigating this incident as a number of military officials have descended upon the area. They all attempt to downplay its significance but the mere presence and secrecy suggest otherwise. Niina will no doubt be compared to a sort of Erin Brockovich type (especially by North American audiences) as she learns to find the strength to believe in herself and her work.
She meets a soldier Kai (Pyry Kahkonen) and they take an instant liking to one another. Kai was the pilot scrambled when the missile appeared on radar, saw it first hand, and is not one to hide his feelings about the situation or that it needs to be addressed, not hidden from the people. It’s not long after that other members of the media, mostly from nearby European nations and the UK descend on the area as well as word has got out about the crash, and the possibility that the missile may contain a nuclear warhead.
The film itself is about Niina’s journey but also the nature of war, in particular in the nuclear era. There is a powerful scene when Mailis (Tiina Tauraite), a scientist, is brought in to discuss their options with senior military officials and in disseminating what would happen at the start of a nuclear war and how quickly, literally within hours, the sheer devastation that the planet (Europe in particular) would suffer if the Soviets and US engaged in such a confrontation is harrowing to say the least.
Niina’s husband Tapio (Tommi Eronan) returns unexpectedly after being released early from prison, and tries to rejoin her life. This enrages Kaisa, but it is far more complicated for Niina who has her children to think about as they are thrilled to have him back. She has to find the courage to stand up to him and to continue her investigation after the military puts pressure on Esko to stop pursuing it.
In the end things come to a head with her ex as he confronts her about her relationship with Kai. While it may be difficult for some to watch, and certainly not all will find the extent of it necessary, it starkly brings to life the nature of their abusive relationship and why she needed to leave.
The performances are both humorous (especially early on) and heartfelt as required, and we feel for Niina and all that she is struggling to accomplish for the myriad of reasons we come to understand. Those around her come to respect her resilience as she learns to exhibit her own agency, speak up for herself and pursue happiness with Kai.
The Missile was seen during the 2025 International Film Festival of Ottawa.
