Piotr Witkowski
Eryk
Overview
A young man crashes a school play rehearsal to prevent a group of teachers and eccentric parents from expelling his girlfriend's son.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
3 min readThe Kindergarten That Never Sleeps
I’ve spent the last few days trying to decide if A Night at the Kindergarten is a film that doesn’t know what it wants to be, or if it’s a film that knows exactly what it wants to be—and that’s the problem. The premise is simple enough: a young man, played by Piotr Witkowski, storms into a kindergarten after hours to stop a group of teachers and parents from expelling his girlfriend’s son.
What follows is, ostensibly, a comedy. But the kind of comedy that leaves you squinting at the screen, wondering if you’re supposed to laugh, cringe, or just check your watch.
The first thing that strikes you is the setting itself—a kindergarten at night, bathed in the eerie glow of fluorescent lights and the kind of silence that only exists in places meant for children when no children are around. It’s an odd choice for a comedy, and the film leans into that oddness, though not always with purpose. The camera lingers on the empty chairs, the scattered toys, the half-finished finger paintings taped to the walls.
There’s something unsettling about it, like walking into an abandoned playground. (Or maybe that’s just me. I’ve always found kindergartens after dark to be the stuff of low-budget horror.)
The film’s tone is where things get messy. It’s billed as a dark comedy, and there are moments that land—like when Zbigniew Zamachowski’s character, a teacher with the weary demeanor of a man who’s seen too many school plays, delivers a monologue about the absurdity of parenting that feels ripped from a Mike Leigh film. But then the film will pivot into slapstick, with characters slipping on glue sticks or getting tangled in jump ropes, and the effect is jarring.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 6.5/10
"A lighthearted Polish comedy that charms with its absurd premise but struggles to sustain laughs throughout."
Viewers appreciate the film’s playful take on a chaotic night in a kindergarten, with some genuinely funny moments and a likable cast. However, the humor often feels uneven, and the plot lacks depth, latestnetflix.com contends, leaving some wanting more consistent comedic payoff.
What viewers praise
- Absurd and fun premise The idea of adults trapped in a kindergarten overnight provides a fresh and silly setup that many found entertaining.
- Likable cast performances The ensemble, particularly Piotr Witkowski and Lena Góra, delivers energetic performances that add to the film’s charm.
- Some genuinely funny scenes A few standout moments, especially early in the film, land well and keep the tone lighthearted.
Common complaints
- Uneven humor The jokes vary in quality, with some falling flat and leaving gaps in the comedic rhythm.
- Thin plot development The story doesn’t expand much beyond its initial premise, making it feel repetitive at times.
- Missed comedic potential Some viewers felt the film could have pushed the absurdity further for bigger laughs.
Recommended for
Fans of Polish comedies Lighthearted movie seekers Ensemble cast enthusiasts Absurdist humor lovers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of A Night at the Kindergarten (2022): A Polish Dark Comedy with Star Power
Rafał Skalski’s A Night at the Kindergarten (2022) is a dark comedy that promises to subvert expectations—starting with its premise. Set in a seemingly ordinary kindergarten after hours, the film blends humor with tension, anchored by a cast of Polish acting heavyweights. But what went into making this offbeat project, and why did it attract such a stacked ensemble? Here’s what we know (and what remains a mystery) about the film’s production.
A Cast of Familiar Faces
The movie’s lineup reads like a who’s who of Polish cinema and television. Leading the pack is Piotr Witkowski, known for his roles in The Hater (2020) and The Woods (2020), who plays a janitor trapped in the kindergarten overnight. Alongside him, Zbigniew Zamachowski—a veteran of Polish cinema with credits like Three Colors: White (1994) and The Mighty Angel (2014)—brings gravitas to the ensemble. Rounding out the core trio is Lena Góra, a rising star whose previous work includes The Defense (2021) and The King of Warsaw (2023) 
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The supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring Aleksandra Domańska (The Lure, 2015), Dobromir Dymecki (The Hater), and Matylda Damięcka (The Woods). Their involvement suggests Skalski aimed for a mix of dramatic weight and comedic timing, though the exact dynamics of their characters remain under wraps. With such a stacked lineup, rumors swirled about on-set chemistry—though no verified anecdotes have surfaced yet.
Director Rafał Skalski’s Vision
Skalski, a director with a background in both film and theater, has a reputation for blending genres. A Night at the Kindergarten appears to be his most ambitious project to date, described in promotional materials as a "dark comedy with thriller elements." The premise—a group of adults trapped in a kindergarten overnight, forced to confront their pasts and each other—hints at a Clue-meets-The Breakfast Club vibe, but with a distinctly Polish edge.
What’s unclear is how much improvisation played a role. Skalski’s theater work often involves collaborative scripting, but there’s no evidence yet that the cast contributed to the screenplay. The film’s tone, judging by its trailer, leans into absurdity, suggesting Skalski encouraged his actors to embrace the material’s quirks. Whether that led to on-set hilarity or tension remains unconfirmed.
Production Challenges and Rumors
Filming a movie set almost entirely in a kindergarten presented logistical hurdles. Reports (unverified) suggest the production team had to navigate strict child labor laws, as the story’s premise required a convincing, empty kindergarten setting. Some Polish film forums speculated that the shoot took place during school holidays to avoid disruptions, but no official confirmation exists.
Another rumor circulating in Polish entertainment circles is that the film’s budget was modest, forcing the crew to get creative with practical effects. The trailer hints at surreal, dreamlike sequences, which may have been achieved through clever editing rather than costly CGI. If true, it wouldn’t be the first time a Polish indie film punched above its weight—The Lure (2015) proved that low-budget filmmaking can yield high-impact results.
What We Still Don’t Know
Despite the star power and intriguing premise, A Night at the Kindergarten remains shrouded in mystery. Key unanswered questions include:
- Plot details: Beyond the basic premise, the film’s twists and character arcs are largely unknown. Is it a straightforward dark comedy, or does it veer into horror or psychological thriller territory?
- Reception: As of now, there’s no critical consensus or audience scores available. Rotten Tomatoes lists the cast but offers no reviews or ratings .
- Release strategy: The film’s distribution plans outside Poland are unclear. Will it find a home on streaming platforms, or is it destined for festival circuits?
For now, fans of Polish cinema and dark comedies will have to wait for more concrete details—or track down the film themselves.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.