Wilkolak (2018)

Directed by: Adrian Panek | 88 minutes | drama, horror | Actors: Kamil Polnisiak, Nicolas Przygoda, Sonia Mietielica, Danuta Stenka, Werner Daehn, Jakub Syska, Helena Mazur, Krzysztof Durski, Maksymilian Balcerowski, Julia Slusarczyk, Matylda Ignasiak, Oleksandr Radechlawskin Chrzegenkosiusz Pigchbyna, Chrzegenko

Imagine being so thirsty that you gulp down the drops that run down a damp wall. Imagine that you are so hungry that you throw yourself like a wild animal between a tangle of people on a freshly opened can, without knowing what is actually in it, and whether it is not spoiled. The eight children in the Polish, Dutch and German co-production ‘Wilkolak’ (‘Werewolf’) by director Adrian Panek, still do not have luck on their side after the Second World War. They may have been liberated by the Russians from the Wolfsberg concentration camp, but they are far from a safe home. In a large, poorly maintained mansion in the middle of the woods, they find a place to sleep and the only adult they care about can’t take care of them for long.

‘Wilkolak’ thrives on atmosphere. The children, ranging in age from very young (probably even born in the concentration camp) to about twenty years old, have nothing more than their survival instinct and that has taken them very far so far. They seem like a close-knit group, but when it comes down to it, it’s every man for himself. This is more evident in some than in others. But the threat is constantly felt, because it is not clear where the danger actually lies: outside or inside the couple.

As the title suggests, this grim fairytale, full of symbolism, has horror-like, fantasy features. It is seamlessly woven into the coming-of-age story that overflows with fear, but also hope. The children are marked by the horrors of war, so you naturally sympathize with them and also understand the inhumane traits they sometimes display. The child actors know how to convey this very naturally, Panek shows himself to be an extremely good actor director.

The setting is very beautiful. The mansion, in which many of the scenes are set, is a maze of doors, small rooms and a food elevator that still works. The forest is one of those typical impenetrable Eastern European forests, where you can walk for hours without meeting a living soul. You shouldn’t even think about being locked up in this environment.

‘Wilkolak’ is probably a bit too slow for horror and action film fans – especially in the middle part – although the body count continues to run. But thanks to its original angle and elaboration, this gem of a film is not to be missed for psychological horror fans.