Vares: Garter Snake (2011): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2011, Vares: Garter Snake is an action and crime film directed by Lauri Törhönen, running about 97 minutes.

What it’s about. In the heat of the night, a man from faraway plays the piano. In the local hillside prison, a bitter double-crossed convict stares at the city life over the roofs. A revenge is brewing in his mind; the blood-thirsty killer prepares his escape. Vares gets a client who needs private investigations. Despite the beautiful wife, Vares smells a rat... In the middle of the summer night, a shot rings out. One life comes to an end and Vares finds changes in his assignment. The clues lead him to first-hand encounters and second-hand bookshops; a visit to the gym reveals a drug-smuggling route from Stockholm... Vares finds himself entangled in hot money and cool silk. In the background slithers a cunning garter snake.

Who’s in it. Vares: Garter Snake stars Antti Reini as Jussi Vares, Eppu Salminen as Juhani Luusalmi, Jasper Pääkkönen as Kyypakkaus and Maria Järvenhelmi as Anna Huttunen, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, Vares: Garter Snake has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Vares: Garter Snake page.

If you liked it. Fans of Vares: Garter Snake tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.