Jalmari Helander


Jalmari Helander is a Finnish screenwriter and film director. He is known for the 2010 film Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, the 2014 action-adventure Big Game starring Samuel L. Jackson, and the 2022 WWII action film Sisu. Before turning to feature films, Helander directed several short films and award-winning television commercials. In 2025, it was announced that Helander would direct John Rambo, the upcoming prequel to First Blood in the Rambo franchise.
Helander is the brother-in-law of actor Jorma Tommila and the maternal uncle of Jorma's son Onni, both of whom have acted in his films.

Personal life

Helander has stated that he suffers from panic disorder

Filmography

Short film
YearTitleDirectorWriterNotes
1999JäämiesAlso editor
1999Maximillian TarzanAlso editor
2001
2003
2005
2006FakiiriAlso producer
2011Viimeinen pisara

Feature film
YearTitleDirectorWriter
2010Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
2014Big Game
2022Sisu
2025Sisu: Road to Revenge
2027John Rambo

TV series
YearTitleNotes
2017–20189 episodes
2020Perfect Commando10 episodes
2021Karkurit1 episode