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Kari Väänänen

Kari Väänänen

Actor · Born September 17, 1953 (73) · Ivalo, Finland

Kari Kyösti Väänänen (born 17 September 1953 in Ivalo) is a Finnish actor and director. Domestically he is a member of the Ryhmäteatteri group of actors. He was introduced to international audiences by Aki Kaurismäki; and belongs to the list of his "trusted" stable of actors. His most challenging role has been the eponymous mafia hitman of Rosso, for which he learned all his lines phonetically, without previously speaking a word of Italian. Kari Väänänen was featured in Star Wreck, a Finnish sci-fi parody where he played the Russian president. He also starred in Jim Jarmusch's 1991 film Night on Earth. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 17, 1953 (73)
From
Ivalo, Finland
Works as
Actor
Titles
13 on MovieCove · 85 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Up 82% in 30 days

What are Kari Väänänen's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
37%
Self
19%
Society
11%
Survival
11%
Ideas
11%
Morality
8%
Power
3%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeHope2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 6 · Serious 4 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 5 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 3 of 6 analyzed roles.

Hero
3 of 6
Trickster
1 of 6
Ally
1 of 6
Mentor
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
7
Absurd
4
Joyful
2
Melancholic
2
Contemplative
2
Other
7

How their films linger

Hopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet3
  • Other2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kari Väänänen's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 6 of their 13 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (4).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kari Väänänen's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

85 credits, 13 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Missile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Uutis-Seppo

  • The Grump: In Search of an Escort(2022)

    as Tarmo

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Man Who Died (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as Lääkäri Järvinen

  • Fingerpori (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Homelius

  • Master Cheng (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Romppainen

  • Ryhmäteatteri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Kiwi Christmas(2017)

    as Santa

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Lapland Odyssey 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Räihäsen isä

  • Kajaani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Arvo

  • Dirty Hands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Ivan

  • We Are the Pirates of the Roads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Hurja-Kaarlo

  • Arne's Legacy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • The Rise and Fall of a Friendship (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Jalo Rautakumpu

  • Let My People Go!(2011)

    as Mr. Tiilikainen

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Backwood Philosopher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director · Screenplay · as Severi

  • Haarautuvan rakkauden talo(2009)

    as Niilo

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • One Foot Under (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Salmela

  • Suojelijat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 10 episodes · as Isä

  • Christmas Story(2007)

    as Iisakki

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Taivaan tulet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 36 episodes · Director · Creator · Writer · as Kauko Junni

  • V2: Dead Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Police Lieutenant Usko Saastamoinen

  • Rock'n Roll Never Dies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Laakkonen

  • Onni von Sopanen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as P.E. teacher

  • Lehmän vuosi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 12 episodes · as Kana-Jorma

  • Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as President Uljanov

  • Trench Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Jarmo Kesämaa

  • Honey Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as der Große Enrico

  • Land of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Hannu Rinta-Perkiö

  • Kymmenen riivinrautaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Heikki Korkkalainen

  • Jurismia! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Opettaja Lauri Peltonen

  • The Classic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Seitsemän (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 12 episodes · as Antti Mäkinen

  • Highway Society (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Bad Luck Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Heinonen

  • Sincerely Yours in Cold Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 17 episodes · as Kalevi Repo

  • Lakeuden kutsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Erkki Hakala

  • VÄNÄ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Kaverille ei jätetä (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Kapteeni Kalkku · as Per Berner · as Tilanhoitaja Anselmi · as Vode

  • Spy Games(1999)

    as Cabbie

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Ambush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Corporal Tauno Snicker

  • The Tough Ones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Törnqvist

  • Lääkärit tulessa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Mark Messien

  • Train Birds(1998)

    as Asko, Milchfahrer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Team Ahma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Harjanne

  • Underwater Iceland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Narrator

  • Vaiennut kylä (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Director · Writer

  • Sambolico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Eric

  • Drifting Clouds(1996)

    as Lauri

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Iron Horsemen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Darling

  • Kohtaamiset ja erot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mafiapomo

  • Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as The Mute

  • Goodbye Gibraltar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Jorma

  • Sutki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • The Last Border (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Borka

  • The Hobbits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 9 episodes · as Aragorn

  • Ripa Hits the Skids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Lynkkynen

  • Mestari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Eero Tyrni

  • The Bohemian Life(1992)

    as Schaunard

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Night on Earth(1991)

    as Man #1 Helsinki

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Zombie and the Ghost Train (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Upseeri (voice)

  • Amazon(1990)

    as Kari

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Dolly and Her Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Detective Karisto

  • Paper Star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Ilja Kulovaara

  • Kukunor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Ihmissyöjä

  • Leningrad Cowboys Go America(1989)

    as Igor (Village Idiot)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Cha Cha Cha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Kari Pöllänen

  • Helsinki Napoli All Night Long(1987)

    as Alex

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Hamlet Goes Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Lauri Polonius

  • Siriuksen vieraat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Anders

  • Älä itke Iines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Näkemiin, hyvästi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Kuningas lähtee Ranskaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Narrator

  • Harmagedon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Laulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • The Unknown Soldier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Lammio

  • Rosso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Writer · as Rosso

  • Ylösnousemus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Touko Heinävesi

  • Calamari Union (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Frank

  • Viimeiset rotannahat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • The Clan: Tale of the Frogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Leevi Sammakko

  • Apinan vuosi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Rene

  • Jon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Jon

  • Kuoleman hellä kosketus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Hullu

  • Pedon merkki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Nuori kapteeni

  • The Breakthrough (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Police officer (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 85 titles from 1981 to 2024; peak year 1990.

Biggest box office

Christmas Story (2007)

$4.3M worldwide

Highest rated

Drifting Clouds (1996)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

The Bohemian Life (1992)

Film career

19812024

Peak 1990 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1985Screen debut· Calamari Union
  • 1996Career best· Drifting Clouds

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting82 of 85: 79 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thDirecting5 of 85: 1 only directing, 4 with another roleWriting5 of 85: 0 only writing, 5 with another roleOther crew1 of 85: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

85 titles, 5 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1980s23 · 23 acting · 1 crew1990s25 · 23 acting · 2 crew2000s23 · 22 acting · 3 crew2010s11 · acting2020s3 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 17 roles
8595

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Kari Väänänen's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 54th percentile, the median of all 13; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 13 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 13 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Kiwi Christmas (2017)

66th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Drifting Clouds (1996)

Midcredits 96th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Kari Väänänen work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kari Väänänen's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mika Kaurismäki shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers