Director-writer Teemu Nikki pithily describes his darkly comic drama about a man merciful to animals but ruthless to humans as “Dirty Harry with pets,” which should give viewers a good idea about this strange and impressive film’s peculiar worldview.
It centers on cranky loner Veijo, a black-market pet euthanizer. He’s a true animal lover who delights in personally delivering justice to careless owners who neglect their pets. His unconventional but meticulously organized life is disrupted when he crosses paths with loutish loser Petri, a garage mechanic and member of a neo-Nazi gang, and Lotta, a young nurse who works at the hospital where his elderly father lies dying. Things start to change for Veijo when he decides to keep rather than kill Petri’s scrappy mutt. Then Lotta forces her way into his life, not in the least put off by his dark, prickly personality. But can a man like Veijo ever hope to enjoy an ordinary life?
Director Biography
Director-writer Teemu Nikki was born in 1975 in Finland. Along with his latest feature, Euthanizer, Nikki is known for Simo Times Three (’12) and Lovemilla (’15). Throughout his career, Nikki has produced music videos as well as commercial and television programming.
Press
"Funny, bitter, and sometimes bleak, the picture draws much of its appeal from a deadpan performance by star Matti Onnismaa." - Hollywood Reporter