Crow's Deadly Winter

Lesley Manville stars in a gripping thriller set in 1980s Poland, where a British academic becomes embroiled in a deadly game of espionage. Director Kasia Adamik brings to life a story based on a short story by Nobel Prize-winning author Olga Tokarczuk.

Dir: Kasia Adamik

Cast: Lesley Manville, Zofia Wichłacz, Andrzej Konopka, Sascha Ley, Tom Burke, Rhianne Barreto, Joanna Hole, Julian Nest

112 mins · 2026 · Poland, United Kingdom, Luxembourg · Cert 15 · English, Polish

Rotten Tomatoes 95%

Awards: 1 nomination total

Winter of the Crow (Subtitled)

31 Dec 2026

Electric Palace Hastings

Lesley Manville, known for her versatile performances, takes on the role of Joan Andrews, a British academic who finds herself trapped in Warsaw in 1981. The city is in chaos, with martial law shutting down the country and turning it into a prison overnight. As Joan witnesses a brutal murder by the secret police, she becomes the target and must navigate a complex web of espionage involving student rebels and government operatives.

The film, directed by Kasia Adamik, is a thriller that combines elements of drama, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. With a runtime of 112 minutes, the movie is a tense and suspenseful ride, set against the backdrop of Poland's resistance to Soviet rule. The cast, which includes Tom Burke, Zofia Wichłacz, and Andrzej Konopka, delivers strong performances that bring depth to the story. The film's use of subtitles adds to the authenticity of the setting, immersing viewers in the world of 1980s Poland.

Winter of the Crow has received critical acclaim, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 95% from critics. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 and has since been nominated for an award. While some viewers have noted that the plot can be implausible at times, Lesley Manville's performance is steady and compelling, making the film a gripping watch.

The Electric Palace Hastings in Hastings will be screening Winter of the Crow (Subtitled) on Thursday, 31 December 2026. Tickets are with the button beside the article. This is a unique opportunity to see a thought-provoking and suspenseful film on the big screen, and fans of Lesley Manville and Kasia Adamik will not want to miss it.

The film's setting and storyline are deeply rooted in history, with the events of 1981 Poland providing a rich backdrop for the story. The use of a Polaroid camera as a plot device adds a touch of nostalgia to the film, while the themes of rebellion and resistance are timeless and thought-provoking. With its strong cast, skilled direction, and gripping storyline, Winter of the Crow is a film that will keep viewers engaged until the very end.

What viewers say

CinemaSerf · 6/10

Glasnost hadn't quite got to General Jaruzelski's Poland, even if Lech Walesa's "Solidarity" movement was already shaking the communist regime by 1981. That's where the slightly aloof psychology professor "Andrews" (Lesley Manville) is headed to give a lecture at a university. Barely has she started her presentation, though, when it is hijacked by some protesting students - and that's just the start of her unexpected exposure to a rebellion in…

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