Defiant (2025)
A raw Finnish drama about a grieving teenager who refuses to be broken by the system that holds her.
Defiant - Movie Information
- Original Title: Uhma
- Release Year: 2025
- Directed by: Visa Koiso-Kanttila
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: Finnish
- Spoken Languages: Finnish
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 28, 2025 (Finland - K-12)
- Production Companies: Rabbit Films
- Production Countries: Finland
Defiant - Plot
After losing her father, Vilma can't find her place in the life of her foster family. As a result of her struggles, Vilma ends up in a juvenile home, where she refuses to be subdued by the arbitrary and abusive staff who run it.
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Defiant - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Visa Koiso-Kanttila
Main Cast
- Ona Huczkowski
- Kati Outinen
- Emmi Parviainen
- Tinka Andersson
- Joonatan Pekola
- Sami Sowe
- Arvand Rasul
- Julius Lehto
- Ilo Maisse
- Iiris Pöyhtäri
Writers
- Reeta Ruotsalainen
Producers
- Tiina Pesonen
Defiant - FAQs
What is Defiant about?
Defiant follows Vilma, a teenager grieving the loss of her father who struggles to connect with her foster family. After her difficulties escalate, she's placed in a juvenile home where she refuses to submit to the arbitrary and abusive authority of the staff running the institution.
Who are the main actors in Defiant?
Ona Huczkowski leads the cast as Vilma, alongside acclaimed Finnish actress Kati Outinen as Anneli. The ensemble also includes Emmi Parviainen, Tinka Andersson, Joonatan Pekola, Sami Sowe, Arvand Rasul, Julius Lehto, Ilo Maisse, and Iiris Pöyhtäri.
Is Defiant based on a true story?
Defiant is not based on a specific true story. Written by Reeta Ruotsalainen, the film draws on broader social realities surrounding Finland's child welfare and juvenile care systems, crafting a fictional but emotionally grounded portrait of institutional life and adolescent resilience.
Who directed Defiant?
Defiant was directed by Visa Koiso-Kanttila, a Finnish filmmaker. The screenplay was written by Reeta Ruotsalainen, and the film was produced by Tiina Pesonen under the banner of Rabbit Films, one of Finland's prominent production companies.
Does Vilma escape the juvenile home in Defiant?
Without giving too much away, Defiant focuses less on physical escape and more on Vilma's inner defiance — her refusal to let a broken system crush her spirit. The film's tagline, 'Fall. Get up.', captures the emotional arc at the heart of her journey.
What is the runtime of Defiant?
Defiant runs for 93 minutes, making it a tight, focused drama that wastes no time in drawing viewers into Vilma's world. It was released in Finland on February 28, 2025, with a K-12 age classification for Finnish audiences.
What are similar movies to Defiant?
If Defiant resonates with you, check out Before the Fall (2004), I Killed My Mother (2009), The Devil's Playground (1977), and Crazy (2000). For broader thematic connections, Orenda (2025) and The Man Without a Past (2002) are also worth exploring.
What language is Defiant filmed in?
Defiant is filmed entirely in Finnish, reflecting its roots as a Finnish production. Originally titled Uhma in Finnish, the film was produced in Finland by Rabbit Films and offers an authentic window into Finnish social drama and youth culture.
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