Colors of Evil: Red

Netflix presents the movie 'The Colors of Evil: Red'. Do not confuse it with the 'Three Colors' trilogy by the master Krzysztof Kieslowski. 'Red' is based on the first of the three novels 'Colors of Evil', which are: Red, Black, and White, by the writer Malgorzata Oliwia Sobczak. It is written and directed by Adrian Panek, who previously made 'Wake Up' for Netflix, as well as 'Hounds' outside the catalog. He also co-writes with Lukasz M. Maciejewski, well-known on the platform for 'The King of Warsaw', 'Mother's Day', and 'The Master of Escapes', which brings us our protagonist, Jakub Gierszal. Alongside him is Zofia Jastrzebska, whom we also know from 'Infamy' and 'The Girl and the Cosmonaut'. Now, combining crime and drama with serial killers, the premise goes like this: When the body of a young woman appears on a beach in the Tricity area of Poland, the prosecutor joins the victim's mother in an impetuous search for the truth.

'The Colors of Evil: Red' is a decent, effective, very entertaining movie with a few surprises. Zofia Jastrzebska is fantastic... But when all is said and done, nothing has changed, you feel the same, you forget it. If you watch it, you'll have a good time; if not, you're not missing much. You won't find strong characters, an intelligent plot, anything you haven't seen before, nor brilliant direction, nor notable cinematography, music, or performances. It hardly has any action. However, it is quick, direct, concise, simple, and works as a distraction... But if you're looking for more, try a marvel like 'The Stranger', also on Netflix. Based on true events, it introduces two strangers who meet on a long journey. Apparently, they are two normal people with nothing to hide. But the reality is different, and they will soon discover it in the worst possible way. 'The Stranger' is a yes; 'The Colors of Evil: Red'... Maybe. Let me know if you like it.

It's a nicely-crafted Polish serial killer thriller, similar in tone and premise to any number of relatively recent Scandi-noir procedurals. The pace is deliberate and it's used effectively to develop the characters; a particular victim and her family get lots of screen time but the movie doesn't get bogged down in pathos. There's nothing particularly surprising in the story but it's a well-executed take on a familiar formula with good performances, comprehensible character motivations and some deft flourishes. Overall this is nothing spectacular but it's a solid effort that hits the right notes and concludes in a satisfying way.

Agile film, with an intelligent mix of flash backs and real events. Effective narrative with always maintained interest. Big twists, and just when you think the film is over, a final part appears, like a coda to a Symphony. Intelligent film with excellent actors. These bad reviews are nonsense. The film is not that violent, and the violence that appears is not gratuitous. Surprised by the technical quality of current Polish films. With good production, good actors, good script. In short: a top-notch crime film, with no commonplace and full of surprises. And forget the bad reviews: this is a good thriller.

Absolutely watchable movie, interesting, and if you like this type of film you can get thrilled and focused on the storyline.

Not sure why people spit and mention there is too much violence etc when it is all noted in the movie description (on Ntflx ofc).

There is a plot twist at the end, it was not necessary, but if you take all the happening before, is not bad.

Also, congratulations to Poland's cinematography, I didn't have a clue they were making movies on this level, good for them.

I would be very happy to watch some more of their movies and cinematography in general.

Also, this is my first and probably the last comment on IMDb, since I am frustrated with the rating of this movie, it is 6.4 currently...

STAR RATING: ***** Brilliant **** Very Good *** Okay ** Poor * Awful

The body of Monica Begucka (Zofia Jastrzebska) washes up on the sea, in mysterious circumstances similar to a case from fifteen years ago. Her mother, and former police chief, Helena (Maja Ostaszewska) joins forces with prosecutor Leopold Bilski (Jakub Gierszel) to track down the killer, and suspicion falls on feared local gangster Kazar (Prezemyslaw Bluszcz), when a ball of severed lips is found in his possession, but as events draw on, things are not as clear as they seem.

Foreign cinema has an unnerving ability to deliver thrillers in a cold, dark, grey style, of the sort that we see increasingly less of on this side of the pond. This Bulgarian effort, from director Adrian Panek, features a slew of actors unheard of on these shores, with names so unpronounceable they make Schwarzenegger sound positively easy. What at first seems a slightly cold and uninviting affair, gradually develops into an intriguing and rewarding thriller that keeps you hooked till the end.

Aside from the moodiness and uninviting greys of the lighting, Panek's film is also unafraid to shy away from some brutal, blood letting violence, liable to illicit a flinch or two from the squeamish. While as a film it unflinchingly delves into the grimy and uncomfortable world it inhabits, it's also carefully wrought, with some clever twists and turns along the way, and unexpected plot developments that allow the story to breathe and hold you in.

It's a bit of a slow starter, with maybe not the most dynamic opening, but it's ultimately a highly rewarding effort, even if it does take a lot out of you to get to the end. ****