When Netflix dropped Polish director Bartosz M. Kowalski’s Hellhole (original title: Ostatnia Wieczerza, meaning “Last Supper”) in October 2022, horror fans got something refreshingly different from the typical possession fare. Set in 1987 Poland, this atmospheric thriller follows a police officer named Marek (Piotr Żurawski) who goes undercover as a novice monk to investigate mysterious disappearances at a remote monastery that specializes in exorcisms. What begins as a seemingly familiar setup transforms into something far more sinister and unexpected.
A Slow Burn That Rewards Patience
Hellhole is closer in spirit to 1986’s The Name of the Rose than The Exorcist, favoring atmosphere and mounting dread over jump scares and cheap thrills. Kowalski, working with co-writer Mirella Zaradkiewicz, constructs a deliberately paced investigation that immerses viewers in the claustrophobic world of this isolated monastery. The first half unfolds methodically as Marek navigates the daily routines of monastic life while probing the dark secrets hidden behind the abbey’s walls.
The dialogue is sparse, which actually enhances the realism of the setting while making each spoken word feel significant. When characters do speak, you lean in, desperate for clues about what’s really happening in this God-forsaken place. The production quality is absolutely stellar, proving that Polish filmmakers are not holding back when telling stories about religion or social commentary.
Visual Mastery and Atmospheric Excellence
One of Hellhole‘s greatest strengths is its visual presentation. Shot in bleak, desaturated colors within the actual Lubiąż monastery in Silesia, the film creates an oppressive atmosphere that seeps into your bones. The cinematography by Cezary Stolecki makes excellent use of the location’s gothic architecture, with shadows lurking in every corner and crucifixes that seem to watch your every move.
The special effects work deserves particular praise. Rather than relying on an abundance of CGI, the film deploys effects strategically for maximum impact. There’s a creature design in the finale that’s genuinely striking, though some critics noted it loses some mystique when shown in bright lighting. The practical effects and makeup work from Redo FX add visceral punch to the film’s more graphic moments without feeling gratuitous.
Strong Performances Ground the Horror
While American audiences likely won’t recognize the cast, the performances are uniformly strong. Piotr Żurawski carries the film as Marek, conveying the mounting tension of a man in way over his head. Olaf Lubaszenko, a Polish cinema veteran with over 110 acting credits, delivers particularly memorable work as Pastor Andrzej. His background in comedy actually enhances his performance in ways that become clear in the film’s best scenes.
The Divisive Finale
Here’s where opinions split dramatically. The film’s conclusion is bold, uncompromising, and deliberately ambiguous in ways that will either elevate the experience or leave you frustrated. The ending is neither nice nor simple, refusing to tie a neat bow and let you sleep soundly afterward. For viewers who’ve been paying attention to the film’s thematic undercurrents about faith, corruption, and the battle between good and evil, the ending delivers a gut-punch that feels earned. For others expecting clearer resolution, it may feel like the film pulls the rug out just when things get interesting.
The final 20 minutes shift gears dramatically, ramping up the intensity and horror to levels the earlier portions only hinted at. It’s almost as if Kowalski was building a powder keg for 70 minutes before finally lighting the fuse. This tonal shift is jarring but intentional, transforming what seemed like a mystery-thriller into something far more extreme and occult-focused.
A Few Stumbles Along the Way
Hellhole isn’t without its flaws. The pacing in the first half, while atmospheric, occasionally tips into sluggish territory. Some viewers will find the setup overly familiar, hitting expected beats of monastery horror before the story reveals its true hand. The film also suffers from minimal character development beyond the central trio, making some of the violence feel less impactful than it might have otherwise.
The monotone soundtrack, while effective at establishing mood, becomes somewhat tedious over the runtime. And that creature design, impressive as it is, really should have been kept shrouded in shadow rather than fully illuminated.
The Verdict
Hellhole represents the kind of bold, uncompromising horror that reminds you why international genre cinema matters. It respects its audience’s intelligence while delivering genuine scares and thought-provoking themes about faith, evil, and the masks both wear. The film asks uncomfortable questions about the nature of belief and the darkness that can flourish when institutions lose their way.
This isn’t a perfect film, and its deliberate pacing and confrontational ending won’t work for everyone. But for horror fans willing to engage with something more cerebral and disturbing than the usual Netflix offerings, Hellhole delivers a memorably unsettling experience. It’s a film that stays with you, burrowing under your skin like the secrets hidden in that monastery’s depths.
Best For: Fans of atmospheric, slow-burn horror; viewers who appreciate international cinema; anyone seeking horror with substance over cheap scares.
Skip If: You prefer fast-paced horror with clear resolutions; you’re looking for traditional possession/exorcism scares; graphic violence and gore are dealbreakers.
Rating: (4/5)