Good effects and dark cinematography, but good luck following along with what's going on in this supernatural series. The main storyline was fairly easy to piece together, but a lot of weird tangents and jarring scene flashes. Acting was meh.
75 Reviews
A lot of intriguing material but....
kami_schneider19 March 2022
You really have to pay attention to this movie (obviously if your are reading the subtitles), there is a lot going on within the plot, a lot of material, just a plethora of information that is tied in quite well the plot but needs more description. I found myself looking up half the stuff they were talking about. Great filming location, emotions are really felt by the viewer, scores are decent but could be a bit better, CGI did a good though! Maybe a second season could provide more info on the Slavic demons and everything else!
Underrated
Reh7420 March 2022
This supernatural thriller is underrated. It should be viewed in its original language with subtitles. With most dubbed shows the character's voice, timing and performance is diluted in translation, distracting from the story. Watch it the way it's intended to be seen and it'll be worth your while.
Demons & Spirits Of Light
Pairic20 March 2022
Cracow Monsters: Alex/Aitwar drinks to deal with past traumas. She is accepted as a student by the pathology department of a medical school. But her professor and some of his students fight demons and monsters. A demon comes from the other side and controls people to attack Alex but she also has powers from her otherworldly contacts. . A dark series involving rituals to ward off demons and to cleanse adepts after contact with them. A clash of the righteous and malevolent entities results in a proxy war with the professor and his acolytes following spirits of light. But it's a bit more complicated than that that with many monsters (including water demons) being summoned up. Best perhaps is Winter Spas, a bit like Krampus on speed. In some ways the series is similar to Feria with Pantheons of Good and Evil deities, underground temples and gateways. Cracow Monsters though is based on Slavic mythology rather than Gnosticism. Another mystery to be explored is Ales's past, from literally the opening moments of episode 1 Alex has nightmares about her mother's death. It doesn't quite live up to the promise of it's opening episodes but is a worthy addition to the TV Folk Horror Canon. Directed by Kasia Adamik and Olga Chajdas, Written by Gaja Grzegorzewska, Magdalena Lankosz and Anna Sienska. Eight episodes on Netflix. 7/10.
Good idea...bad everything else
Otte123 March 2022
Another example of a good idea with bad execution. You know you are heading down a bad road when in the first episode a quick two minute conversation(that every single person would have) is avoided for no reason except to manufacture drama. Instead of writing a good plot the writers use recurring dumb decisions to move the plot forward.
Let me go out alone at night after I already seen things that can kill me and have already tried..check
Let's talk in code giving one word answers instead of explaining what is going on...check
Most of the actors have the same facial expressions regardless of the situation...check
High security places having little or no security...check
Main protagonist act like a petulant 12-year old for the entire run-time...check
Director and writers did not try.
Let me go out alone at night after I already seen things that can kill me and have already tried..check
Let's talk in code giving one word answers instead of explaining what is going on...check
Most of the actors have the same facial expressions regardless of the situation...check
High security places having little or no security...check
Main protagonist act like a petulant 12-year old for the entire run-time...check
Director and writers did not try.
Great show
archangel-1251819 March 2022
I found a liking to this show, I've just completed watching ep 7 with one episode to go and I'm wishing their was more episodes. Don't know why the negative reviews. I'm very critical on detail when it comes to a production of series that interests me but this is a winner in my books. Producer has done a excellent job in creating something within itself.
Good idea, poor execution
pete-kazimierski21 March 2022
As a Polish person. I'm always excited seeing Polish titles on US Netflix. They are mostly just ok. Unfortunately Cracow Monster falls into that category as well. The idea of the show is interesting but the execution is lackluster. It feels like a student erie the script and director didn't know how to use full potential of these (seems like) good actors. I watched it in English and if you're Polish and know English I would recommend watching it English as well. Dubbing is pretty good. I'm from Krakow so nostalgia kicked in. That's why it's 5 btw and not 5. It was nice to see my old city, but if i wasn't from there i'd probably not finish it.
Watchable
dawnsmart-3338418 March 2022
I can't believe the ignorance of some, rating this low for not having any black actors.... REALLY?!! You clearly did not pass anything at school, especially history!
I enjoyed this, a bit slow but jumpy, watchable and the film was altogether ok, not oscar worthy but I would give it a go.. Anything about paranormal activity, gifted people & demons has worthy!
I enjoyed this, a bit slow but jumpy, watchable and the film was altogether ok, not oscar worthy but I would give it a go.. Anything about paranormal activity, gifted people & demons has worthy!
Nice polish mistery/suspense series
andres-dulantot21 March 2022
Definitively this is better than the average user rating says. Cinematography and slavic mithology are the best features of Krakowskie Potwory. Some of the acting (the main characters) is very good and fulfill expectations
The script needs work. I wish they keep the story around the slavic creatures and explore more the mithology. Some of the secondary characters needs to improve their acting skills.
Overall I think is a really good effort and deserves another season.
The script needs work. I wish they keep the story around the slavic creatures and explore more the mithology. Some of the secondary characters needs to improve their acting skills.
Overall I think is a really good effort and deserves another season.
Great premise. Horrible writing
minux-179-69323621 March 2022
There are demons entering into our world, let's go to a rave and then be surprised and sad when something bad happens. LOL.
Nobody in the show acts like a real person. There is no one in this show that you want to cheer for and care what happens to.
Watch grass grow. It is more watchable, Most people care would care about the grass growing in their yard than the characters in Krakowskie potwory..
Nobody in the show acts like a real person. There is no one in this show that you want to cheer for and care what happens to.
Watch grass grow. It is more watchable, Most people care would care about the grass growing in their yard than the characters in Krakowskie potwory..
Cracow Monsters
Tweekums4 April 2022
This supernatural Polish series is centred on Aleksandra 'Alex' Walas, a medical student studying in the city of Cracow. She applies to join a course run by Professor Jan Zawadzki and when she is accepted she learns that his group are more than just students. They live together and with the professor's guidance work to stop various creatures from Slavic mythology from harming the city. The greatest threat comes from an evil deity in the form of a young recently deceased boy. He is guiding other, lesser demons, in his plot to control the city. Alex and her new friends will face many dangers and she will have to examine her past before the story is over.
I rather enjoyed this series. At only eight episodes it doesn't outstay its welcome, nor does it feel rushed. In some ways the story brought to mind that it could be a dark, deliberately humourless series of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'; at least where the 'big bad' and his minions were concerned. The city of Cracow provides a good backdrop and the way the series is shot creates a fine atmosphere. I really liked how it used local mythology, although not being familiar with it I can't say how much the mythology was modified to fit the story. The central characters are interesting, and the cast does a solid job. The effects are also pretty good. Overall a solid series that I'd recommend to fans of supernatural drama.
These comments are based on watching the series in Polish with English subtitles.
I rather enjoyed this series. At only eight episodes it doesn't outstay its welcome, nor does it feel rushed. In some ways the story brought to mind that it could be a dark, deliberately humourless series of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'; at least where the 'big bad' and his minions were concerned. The city of Cracow provides a good backdrop and the way the series is shot creates a fine atmosphere. I really liked how it used local mythology, although not being familiar with it I can't say how much the mythology was modified to fit the story. The central characters are interesting, and the cast does a solid job. The effects are also pretty good. Overall a solid series that I'd recommend to fans of supernatural drama.
These comments are based on watching the series in Polish with English subtitles.
Grew on me
adaptor25 March 2022
There are some awkward plot points that feel shoe-horned in or like something significant was cut but, overall, this is watchable Andi found I enjoyed it more by episode 5 than I had in episode 1.
I like the interweaving of old mythologies into the modern world. I think Invisible City did a better job with that, overall, but this is a pleasant addition.
I like the interweaving of old mythologies into the modern world. I think Invisible City did a better job with that, overall, but this is a pleasant addition.
Who could possibly care?
d-alston20 March 2022
I've watched four episodes in the hope it would improve somewhat, but I'm fairly sure now that it won't. The problems with this affair include a roster of unlikeable, unengaging characters, none of whom have the slightest chemistry with each other; an overall bleakness on every level which is magnified by a complete absence of humour and a tedious mythology which demands a lot of attention from the viewer while providing nothing of interest to keep that attention fixed on the plot. It's very difficult to care about any of this, or any of the characters within it.
Good!
cindynickisch19 March 2022
Absolute garbage fire
mariusz-561-80071021 March 2022
I'm Polish and grew up in Krakow, and honestly this is pretty much unwatchable. Garbage writing, terrible character development, Chyra being literally the only actor that's at least trying to get something out of the character, connections to Slavic mythologies tenuous at best. Do yourself a favor and skip this one - there are much better Polish series out there.
Boring
andymhancock1 July 2022
I'm a fan of mythical fantasy and demons, etc. But lord, this was slow and boring. It might be interesting if editted down by 40% or so.
Strange that I can't submit just the above review. I am asked to stretch it out. Like the series. Volume versus quality.
Strange that I can't submit just the above review. I am asked to stretch it out. Like the series. Volume versus quality.
Just Disappointing...
lordzerostatic2 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There was a lot of potential in this series, but forcing plots and pushing Ideology and even more with a no lovable character that doesn't have any chemistry main character or any development is just bad. They even killed Lucky which was for me a awesome character and even more together with Alex but hey let just get rid of him and pair her with a short haired desperate character that no one likes or care I saw the first season but have no reason to continue on knowing the Ideology path it will fallow up....
Don't believe low ratings
Marcin77819 May 2022
Not so great
bryant-christenson21 March 2022
Not so great. The storyline is hard to follow as it seems to just take a lot of different pathways. The acting is OK. The sex scenes are pathetic. Overall the entire story could've been told in Hampton Manor episodes. There seems to be a lot of filler. If season two comes out I don't think I'm going to watch it.
Cool concept but hard to follow
petkusam16 October 2022
Edit: I first wrote this when I was 3/4 of the way through the series. I just finished the whole thing and knocked off two more stars. All in all I think I understood like 50% of what happened and why it was necessary. There's a ton of things that just kind of "happen" with zero explanation of what they mean or why they are important. Example- a character eats dirt and worms sometimes and this was the subject of multiple scenes. I still have no clue why he did this or what it was supposed to contribute to the story. Admittedly I am not Polish and I mostly watched this show with subtitles so perhaps some of the rituals and reasons for certain things portrayed are just common knowledge in Polish culture, or things may have gotten lost in translation. If so then the show definitely needs some type of disclaimer or guide or something for international audiences to enjoy it. If not then this show is just a victim of absolutely terrible writing.
**** My take: Mediocre supernatural thriller series. Based on a cool concept, had a lot of potential, but unfortunately that was mostly wasted.
I'm an English speaker. I watched part of it in Polish with subtitles and part of it in the English dub. IMO it's much better in Polish, that's how I ended up watching most of the show. It feels extremely "cringey" in English and is honestly hard to watch. The voice actors in the dub unfortunately sound like they are reading a script the whole time and their tone of voice often doesn't match the facial expressions. Each character's emotions at least seem real in Polish.
The overall plot is cool. I also liked the link to Polish mythology, I thought that added depth. It's sad because on paper each episode sounds cool, as does the overall plot of the show. It just was not executed well. The show ends up feeling very simple and juvenile while trying very hard to be deep and mature. It felt like a show they tried to make for adults but that was better suited for teenagers.
I liked the plot until about episode 3 or 4. After that the story gets quite disjointed and confusing. I am not sure if that's because things got lost in translation with the subtitles or if it was just bad writing. The story jumps around a lot and I struggled to understand what was happening or why many times. Listening in English did not solve this problem for me, so I feel bad writing was more likely to blame.
As it stands, There are a ton of things that happen that just don't make any sense or seem pointless. There are also a lot of plot holes. Most of the characters are also never developed and really didn't contribute much to the story, so I was also left wondering why many of them were even included so much in the show. There is a lot that happens in the plot that could have been better with more back story and development. In the end it just feels like you watched a ton of wasted screen time that could have made the show a lot better if it had been filled with meaningful content.
**** My take: Mediocre supernatural thriller series. Based on a cool concept, had a lot of potential, but unfortunately that was mostly wasted.
I'm an English speaker. I watched part of it in Polish with subtitles and part of it in the English dub. IMO it's much better in Polish, that's how I ended up watching most of the show. It feels extremely "cringey" in English and is honestly hard to watch. The voice actors in the dub unfortunately sound like they are reading a script the whole time and their tone of voice often doesn't match the facial expressions. Each character's emotions at least seem real in Polish.
The overall plot is cool. I also liked the link to Polish mythology, I thought that added depth. It's sad because on paper each episode sounds cool, as does the overall plot of the show. It just was not executed well. The show ends up feeling very simple and juvenile while trying very hard to be deep and mature. It felt like a show they tried to make for adults but that was better suited for teenagers.
I liked the plot until about episode 3 or 4. After that the story gets quite disjointed and confusing. I am not sure if that's because things got lost in translation with the subtitles or if it was just bad writing. The story jumps around a lot and I struggled to understand what was happening or why many times. Listening in English did not solve this problem for me, so I feel bad writing was more likely to blame.
As it stands, There are a ton of things that happen that just don't make any sense or seem pointless. There are also a lot of plot holes. Most of the characters are also never developed and really didn't contribute much to the story, so I was also left wondering why many of them were even included so much in the show. There is a lot that happens in the plot that could have been better with more back story and development. In the end it just feels like you watched a ton of wasted screen time that could have made the show a lot better if it had been filled with meaningful content.
Nice polich fantasy show...not perfect
sabngoy19 March 2022
Very entertaining and the Slavic mythology was really interesting. However there's not enough background on some characters...they could have gone a bit more into details. It's worth a 7/10 but I'm rating it more to counter the negative reviews.
Mixed feelings
targaid15 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
As per the title I have really mixed feelings about this. I can't truly say that I enjoyed it as I spent a lot of time thinking "Eh? What?" Some of that is clearly going to be due to my unfamiliarity with the lore and mythology being used here. In some ways that didn't matter too much but, as some others have said, there are serious issues with the writing.
I feel they jumped too quickly into dealing with a Big Bad without establishing who these folk are or what they do. There are no explanations at all, not even to the character they are recruiting and 'training'. Why should we care about any of these people? Don't know. Why do the twins keep switching to English? Don't know. Why should we trust the professor who betrays them all? Don't know. What happened to the surviving one of the first pair of monsters summoned? Don't know (she's just never mentioned again). I really feel too much was kept from the audience in a misguided attempt to create an air of mystery. It's a common tactic in some of these shows but when handled without real skill and some kind of payoff all it does is create confusion and frustration.
I really enjoyed seeing something other than the usual monsters. I liked the chance to see something new. Handled better it could have been great. The cast were generally pretty good. The cinematography created an intense atmosphere and air of menace. The CGI is just about up to the task and it's fairly well paced.
Yet something, for me at least, is just lacking. The mark is missed but not by much. It's clearly set up for a sequel and I hope it gets it. Stuff that thinks out of the box and illuminates unusual mythologies - ie not vampires and zombies- needs to be encouraged. I just hope they do a better job with any future seasons.
I feel they jumped too quickly into dealing with a Big Bad without establishing who these folk are or what they do. There are no explanations at all, not even to the character they are recruiting and 'training'. Why should we care about any of these people? Don't know. Why do the twins keep switching to English? Don't know. Why should we trust the professor who betrays them all? Don't know. What happened to the surviving one of the first pair of monsters summoned? Don't know (she's just never mentioned again). I really feel too much was kept from the audience in a misguided attempt to create an air of mystery. It's a common tactic in some of these shows but when handled without real skill and some kind of payoff all it does is create confusion and frustration.
I really enjoyed seeing something other than the usual monsters. I liked the chance to see something new. Handled better it could have been great. The cast were generally pretty good. The cinematography created an intense atmosphere and air of menace. The CGI is just about up to the task and it's fairly well paced.
Yet something, for me at least, is just lacking. The mark is missed but not by much. It's clearly set up for a sequel and I hope it gets it. Stuff that thinks out of the box and illuminates unusual mythologies - ie not vampires and zombies- needs to be encouraged. I just hope they do a better job with any future seasons.
Grimy borefest
Valid_ID3 April 2022
As a person who lived on 3 continents, traveled extensively, and speaks multiple languages, I refute the accusation that my low rating is due to the fact that I can't "understand" this Polish series.
Here are the actual reasons for my low rating: There's no suspense in this series, because the story is unfolding so slowly that you forget how it started. The development is choppy, jumping from scene to scene with no segue. The characters are unpleasant, and barely functioning in a grimy environment. Acting is on a high-school play level, with the main character mainly scowling throughout. The dialogue is worse than non-existing. I can't find one single redeeming feature for this series.
N. B. I find it revealing that most of the 9-10 star reviewers have written only 1 review.
Here are the actual reasons for my low rating: There's no suspense in this series, because the story is unfolding so slowly that you forget how it started. The development is choppy, jumping from scene to scene with no segue. The characters are unpleasant, and barely functioning in a grimy environment. Acting is on a high-school play level, with the main character mainly scowling throughout. The dialogue is worse than non-existing. I can't find one single redeeming feature for this series.
N. B. I find it revealing that most of the 9-10 star reviewers have written only 1 review.
Average monster hunter tale
bertler-128 March 2022
CRACOW MONSTERS is no worse than the many US American fantasy series of this kind that deal with demon hunters or something similar. However, this topic is basically stupid and unbelievable, so that tension can hardly arise, even though the settings are dark and authentic.
The series also does away with a persistent cliché: Polish women are beautiful ;)
The series also does away with a persistent cliché: Polish women are beautiful ;)
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