I can't pretend I have watched any Polish horror before, least I don't think so, so I am keeping an eye on ÒPI - the new folk horror from writer and director Marta Giec digs into Kashubian folklore and family secrets, with an 18-year-old girl finding herself caught up in something much darker than the home life she is already trying to escape.
A Family Visit Turns Into Something Much Worse
The film centers on Trina, who is about to turn 18 and has already decided she needs to get away from her toxic mother, so she is making plans to leave home when two relatives she has never really known suddenly arrive - her aunt Helena and her grandmother Regina, who is paralyzed, bring plenty of old family baggage with them, but there is more to their arrival than Trina initially understands.
As the family starts dealing with things that have been buried for years, Trina's everyday life begins mixing with nightmares and old Kashubian beliefs, and the line between what is happening around her and what might be supernatural starts becoming increasingly difficult to work out.
ÒPI Digs Into Kashubian Folklore
Giec drew on Kashubian mythology and the history of the region, which has given the film a setting and folklore that isn't exactly overused in horror - pne of the inspirations mentioned by Giec is Trina Papisten, a woman from the region who was reportedly executed for witchcraft in Słupsk and is often described as the last woman executed for witchcraft there.
The film also uses the figure of the upiór, a supernatural being found in Slavic folklore, which is a particularly interesting choice for a Polish horror movie because these older beliefs aren't nearly as familiar to international audiences as the usual collection of vampires, witches and werewolves that turn up in European folk horror.
Marta Giec Makes Her Feature Debut
ÒPI is the feature directorial debut of Marta Giec, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Dominika Kłoczewiak - the film was produced by Platige Films, with Adam Korpak and Karol Żbikowski producing - Wojciech Stuchlik is the executive producer, while the project received co-financing from the Polish Film Institute.
Behind the camera, Adam Pietkiewicz handled cinematography, with Jakub Didkowski providing the music. Tomasz Kajetan Naruszewicz edited the film - the main cast includes Wiktoria Kruszczyńska as Trina, Gabriela Muskała, Magdalena Boczarska and Iwona Bielska, with Pitry also appearing.
The film has already begun its festival run in Poland too - ÒPI was selected for the Perspectives Competition at the 51st Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, which runs from September 21-26, 2026, and it will then head to the United States for the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, where it has been selected for the 2026 lineup as a North American Premiere, which takes place during the festival's October 15-22 run.
ÒPI Release Date
The film is scheduled to reach Polish cinemas in the first quarter of 2027 through NEXT FILM - An exact theatrical date has not been announced yet, and there is currently no confirmed international theatrical release or streaming date.
That could obviously change following the festival screenings, particularly with the movie now getting its North American premiere in Brooklyn.
One little teaser trailer has been released so far.
Are you looking forward to OPI? Join me on Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit.