How I Fell in Love with a Gangster

Behind the Scenes of How I Fell in Love with a Gangster: Netflix’s Gritty Polish Crime Drama

How I Fell in Love with a Gangster (2022) stormed onto Netflix as a stylish, violent, and emotionally charged crime drama, marking director Maciej Kawulski’s return to the gangster genre. The film, based on the true story of Polish underworld figure Nikodem "Nikos" Skotarczak, blends brutal realism with a tragic love story, earning both praise and criticism for its unflinching portrayal of crime and corruption. But what went on behind the camera? latestnetflix.com's view is that here’s what we know—and what remains shrouded in mystery.

A Director’s Passion Project

Maciej Kawulski, a veteran of Polish commercial cinema, has built a career on high-energy action and crime films, but How I Fell in Love with a Gangster stands out as one of his most ambitious projects. The director, born in 1980, co-founded KSW, Poland’s largest mixed martial arts organization, which may explain the film’s visceral fight choreography and raw physicality. While Kawulski’s filmography includes family-friendly fare like L'Académie de M. Kleks (2023), his crime films—particularly this one—reveal a fascination with the darker side of Polish history.

The movie’s Polish title, Jak pokochałam gangstera ("How I Fell in Love with a Gangster"), hints at its central narrative: a woman’s doomed romance with a rising criminal kingpin. Though the film takes creative liberties, it’s rooted in the real-life rise and fall of Skotarczak, a notorious figure in 1990s Polish organized crime. Kawulski’s decision to frame the story through a female perspective—rather than a traditional gangster’s POV—adds a layer of tragedy, making the film as much about love and betrayal as it is about power and violence.

Casting the Criminals and Their Lovers

The film’s ensemble cast brings star power to its gritty tale. Leading man Tomasz Włosok, who plays Nikodem Skotarczak, is no stranger to intense roles, but this may be his most physically demanding yet. Sources suggest Włosok underwent rigorous training to embody the ruthless yet charismatic gangster, though specifics on his preparation remain scarce.

Agnieszka Grochowska and Magdalena Lamparska, who play key female roles, anchor the film’s emotional core. Grochowska, a respected Polish actress with international credits, reportedly pushed for deeper character development, ensuring her role wasn’t reduced to a mere love interest [unconfirmed]. Meanwhile, veteran actress Krystyna Janda, who plays an older, more calculating figure in the criminal underworld, brings gravitas to the film’s morally ambiguous world [unconfirmed].

The supporting cast—including Antoni Królikowski, Eryk Lubos, and Sebastian Fabijański—rounds out the criminal hierarchy, with each actor reportedly bringing their own research to the table. Fabijański, known for his role in The Hater (2020), allegedly studied real-life gangsters to perfect his portrayal of a corrupt cop [unconfirmed].

Netflix’s Polish Crime Wave

How I Fell in Love with a Gangster arrived on Netflix in January 2022, capitalizing on the streaming giant’s push into non-English-language content. The film’s trailer, which amassed millions of views, promised a mix of The Godfather’s grandeur and Goodfellas’ brutality, with a distinctly Polish twist. Early reviews were mixed: some praised its stylish cinematography and bold performances, while others criticized its pacing and tonal shifts.

One YouTube reviewer called the film "großartig!" (German for "great!"), highlighting its unapologetic violence and emotional depth. However, not all reactions were glowing. SensCritique, a French review aggregator, gave it a lukewarm 5.9/10, with users noting that while the film was visually striking, its narrative occasionally meandered. Rotten Tomatoes, meanwhile, has yet to aggregate a critical consensus, leaving its reception somewhat divided.

What We Still Don’t Know

Despite its high-profile release, How I Fell in Love with a Gangster remains a film with more questions than answers. Here’s what’s still unclear:

• Budget and Production Challenges: No official figures have been released regarding the film’s budget or on-set difficulties. Given its elaborate action sequences and period setting, rumors suggest it was one of Poland’s more expensive productions of 2022 [unconfirmed]. - Creative Differences: Some reports hint at tensions between Kawulski and the producers over the film’s tone, particularly its balance between romance and violence [unconfirmed]. - Audience Reception in Poland: While the film found an international audience on Netflix, its domestic reception remains underreported. Did Polish viewers embrace it as a gritty crime epic, or dismiss it as sensationalized true crime? [unconfirmed]

The Verdict: A Flawed but Fascinating Crime Saga

How I Fell in Love with a Gangster may not be a perfect film, but it’s undeniably ambitious. Kawulski’s direction, combined with strong performances and a gripping (if occasionally messy) narrative, makes it a standout in Poland’s recent crime cinema. Whether it’s remembered as a cult classic or a missed opportunity remains to be seen—but for now, it’s a must-watch for fans of the genre.