Tom of Finland
A Finnish war veteran transforms persecution and private desire into provocative art that helps energize a gay liberation movement.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- empathetic
- serious
- intimate
- lgbtq+ history viewing
- independent film night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film empathetic, even-handed, and entertaining in its portrayal of Touko Laaksonen and the art born from his private turmoil, though aggregate scores were mixed overall.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Touko finds refuge and personal freedom in his homoerotic drawings while gay men around him face persecution.
The plot contrasts Touko's return from World War II with persecution of homosexual men in peacetime Helsinki.
Touko's drawings of muscular men become emblematic of a generation and contribute to a gay revolution.
The signature Tom of Finland identity develops from private drawings into an internationally influential emblem.
Films like Tom of Finland, and why
The Imitation Game
empathetic biographical drama about a queer artist resisting social persecution through self-expression
Pride
lgbtq+ historical drama centered on repression, identity, and the struggle for sexual freedom
A Fantastic Woman
biographical lgbtq+ drama portraying artistic identity against hostile social norms
Movie Details
- Director
- Dome Karukoski
- Release Date
- 2017-02-24
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (141)
Cast
- Pekka Strang
- Lauri Tilkanen
- Jessica Grabowsky
- Taisto Oksanen
- Seumas F. Sargent
- Jakob Oftebro
- Niklas Hogner
- Chris Myland
- Alf Myreen
- Fabian Puregger
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Kino Film Collection
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Tom of Finland about?
- A Finnish war veteran transforms persecution and private desire into provocative art that helps energize a gay liberation movement.
- What is Tom of Finland like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tom of Finland as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Tom of Finland violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Tom of Finland as mild.
- What did critics think of Tom of Finland?
- Critics broadly found the film empathetic, even-handed, and entertaining in its portrayal of Touko Laaksonen and the art born from his private turmoil, though aggregate scores were mixed overall.
- Which films are like Tom of Finland?
- Films with a similar feel include The Imitation Game, Pride, and A Fantastic Woman.
- How long is Tom of Finland?
- Tom of Finland runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Tom of Finland?
- In United States, Tom of Finland streams on Kino Film Collection.
