Valentine's Day cinema with a woman's soul - the film "I want more" is a story of love and cyberspace on the screen. - Gentlewoman.eu | Portal for Women

February, a month traditionally appropriated by the marketing of hearts and red, in 2026 brings a fascinating shift in the cultural paradigm. For decades, Polish audiences, especially women, to whom the mainstream Valentine’s Day offerings were directed, were accustomed to narratives that were light, easy and pleasant. The romantic comedy, with its predictable patterns and obligatory happy ending, was a safe haven. However, observing the cinema repertoire of the first quarter of 2026 and the public mood, there is a clear shift toward more challenging content. For a GentleWoman Poland reader, a woman seeking not only escapism in culture, but also a mirror for her own experiences, this year’s Valentine’s Day becomes an opportunity to redefine the notion of a “movie date.” We are no longer just looking for confirmation that “love will conquer all.” We’re looking for stories about how love, loyalty and trust function in a world dominated by technology, the pressures of success and fluid identities. It is into this gap, with the energy of a debutant, that the film “I Want More,” directed by Damian Matyasik, enters. Starring Julia Wieniawa and Maciej Musialowski as the adored duo of the younger generation, their on-screen chemistry weaves a tale of loyalty, greed and sacrifice.

The twilight of the romantic comedy era and the birth of “smart-entertainment”
Valentine’s Day in digital times
What are we looking for on the big screen?
The anatomy and phenomenon of the film “I Want More”
A genre hybrid, a “coming-of-age” drama in the garb of a thriller film
A script written by life: the truth about “BLIK” and phishing
Cast and actor creations, Julia Wieniawa, Maciej Musiałowski, Jan Frycz, Piotr Stramowski, Boberek, Ivy, Cyrwus and others
The aesthetics and sound of Katowice as Poland’s “Night City”
Social context: what we keep quiet about, scrolling
Is the movie “I want more” worth seeing?

The twilight of the romantic comedy era and the birth of “smart-entertainment”

The main character Marcin (Maciej Musiałowski) is a seemingly confident boy, “torn between a carefree approach to life and inevitable adulthood.” When he learns that the father of his beloved Hania (Julia Wieniawa) needs the astronomical sum of 6 million zlotys for life-saving therapy, he decides to take a risky step. Together with Hania and a pack of friends, he plunges into the world of cybercrime, using the “impersonator” scam, on social media they impersonate the victims’ friends and extort BLIK codes. Their plan quickly begins to yield huge profits, in fact, the original of the story scammed a total of more than 200 million zlotys and defrauded thousands of people. At first Marcin’s goal seems noble – he wants to save the life of a loved one – but the easy money and adrenaline associated with the scam gradually addict him. The initial intention recedes into the background: in the boy a lust for power and wealth is born, and the line between good and evil begins to blur. Love and loyalty are put to the greatest test, as the hero, seeking recognition in the eyes of his beloved, forgets what is really important. The plot balances between drama and sensation, “a little drama, a little love movie, a little gangster,” as one reviewer put it. Significantly, the film’s script is based on the authentic case file of a real boy from Katowice who committed fraud. Director Damian Matyasik admits: “This is his true story, and everything we see in the film really happened.” This realization adds additional depth to the film, we are watching a tale of a crime born of desperation, as it involves the life of the father of the heroine, played by Wieniawa, which happened right next door to us, in contemporary Poland.

Piotr Stramowski — Valentine's Day cinema with a woman's soul - the film "I want more" is a story of love and cyberspace on the screen. 9

Analysis of cinema trends indicates that the classic “rom-com” is no longer the default choice for a Valentine’s Day or weekend evening. Contemporary middle-of-the-road cinema, aspiring to be “smart-entertainment,” offers something more for viewers seeking nostalgia. Viewers expect productions that provoke discussion after the screening, that stay in their heads longer than the time it takes to eat popcorn. “I Want More” is a model example of this trend. It is a film that combines the characteristics of genre cinema (sensation, drama) with sociological analysis, without losing anything of its entertaining character. Instead of a candy-coated vision of relationships, we get a picture that is dynamic, at times brutal, but always authentic. This is a cinema that understands that modern love is often born and dies in the light of smartphone screens, and that trust is a currency more volatile than cryptocurrencies.

Valentine’s Day in digital times

Why is a movie about cybercrime and gaming a good option for Valentine’s Day or a weekend evening? The answer lies in the nature of modern relationships. We live in a time when the line between the virtual self and the real self has become blurred. The film’s themes of Internet fraud, phishing and identity theft touch on fears that are close to each of us. Experiencing the tension together in the cinema, confronting the dangers that lurk just around the corner of digital reality, can be a much closer experience than watching yet another couple kissing in the rain. The choice of “I Want More” is a signal that we are interested in the world here and now. It also proves that Polish cinema can diagnose reality as accurately as Western productions, dressing difficult topics in an attractive, visual form. For couples, this screening will be a great excuse to talk about the limits of privacy, trust in a relationship and how much our digital footprints define who we are.

What are we looking for on the big screen?

GentleWoman’s editors have always focused on promoting women’s causal and independent attitudes. In the context of cinema, this means looking for female protagonists who are not just a background for male protagonists. Julia Wieniawa in “I Want More” creates a character that fits into this archetype, albeit in a non-obvious way. She is not a crystalline figure. She is an entangled woman, making difficult, sometimes morally ambiguous decisions, but always a subject. With her film character Hania, she shows that money is not everything.

A modern woman goes to the cinema to see the truth about ambition, fears and power. “I Want More,” although set in a specific environment of gamers and hackers, is a universal story about the desire for “something more,” success, money, recognition. It’s a desire that drives many careers, but one that can lead astray without a proper moral compass. The film thus becomes a mirror for a generation of young girls and women who balance daily between “being online” and “being offline.”

Julia Wieniawa and Maciej Musiałowski in the film

The anatomy and phenomenon of the film “I Want More”

“I Want More” is not a film that came out of nowhere. It is a production set in a specific cultural and realization context. Director Damian Matyasik, making his full-length debut, brings new energy to Polish cinema from his personal experience in the world of e-sports. It is authenticity that is the greatest strength of this picture. The story told in the film draws inspiration from real events. The story centers around a group of young people from Katowice who enter the dangerous world of cybercrime. However, they are not stereotypical gangsters in tracksuits. They are representatives of Generation Z, they are smart, technologically proficient, ambitious. Their weapon is not a baseball bat, but a stolen BLIK code. The “I want more” of the title is the motto that pushes the protagonists to push further boundaries. It starts innocently enough, with a desire to get money for expensive medical treatment. However, the mechanism of the crime draws you in. The film accurately shows the process of moral degeneration, in which loyalty to friends collides with greed. For the viewer, this is a film in which not only freedom but also the soul is at stake.

A genre hybrid, a “coming-of-age” drama in the garb of a thriller film

Critics and viewers note the unique style of the film. “I Want More” is a hybrid. On the one hand, we have elements of a classic coming-of-age drama, in which young people must confront their dreams with reality. On the other hand, the film draws handfuls from the aesthetics of neo-noir and cyberpunk. The dark alleys of the city mix with the neon glow of the monitors. This duality is key to understanding the atmosphere of the film. Director Damian Matyasik admits to being inspired by David Fincher’s cinema, in particular “Social Network.” As in Fincher’s work, here the tension is built not by explosions, but by rhythm, editing and sound.

A script written by life: the truth about “BLIK” and phishing

The educational, albeit unobtrusive, aspect of the production is worth noting. The film demythologizes cybercrime, showing the mechanisms behind popular scams such as “BLIK code” phishing. In promotional materials, Julia Wieniawa stresses that understanding these risks is key to online safety. The video shows how easy it is to fall victim to social engineering manipulation. By watching the actions of the characters “from behind the scenes,” we gain a perspective that can protect us from real danger. This is a rare case where entertainment cinema has such an important social function. Frankly, BLIK is not relevant here, because the real problem of online fraud, what the video presents is the ease with which criminals can take over a password or someone else’s social networking account.

Cast and actor creations, Julia Wieniawa, Maciej Musiałowski, Jan Frycz, Piotr Stramowski, Boberek, Ivy, Cyrwus and others

The strength of any film, especially one structured like this, is the actors. In the case of “I Want More,” the casting proved to be a hit. The filmmakers managed to gather on the set the most interesting faces of the young generation of Polish cinema.

The heroine of “Hania,“ Julia Wieniawa has functioned in Polish show business for years as a style icon, influencer and actress associated with lighter repertoire. However, in “I Want More” she makes a spectacular plug. Viewers and critics agree: her creation is natural, mature and devoid of mannerisms. Wieniawa drops the mask of a celebrity to step into the shoes of a girl caught up in a spiral of lies. Her heroine is a multi-dimensional character. She is not a typical “gangster’s girl” who only accompanies the male protagonist. Wieniawa’s performance is subtle, and one can see the evolution she has undergone since her first roles.

“Marcin Wozniacki, Maciej Musialowski (known for “Suicide Squad. The Heiress” among others) is growing into one of the most important actors of his generation. In “I Want More” he confirms his class. His role is rated as “expressive” and “wonderful.” Musialowski has a rare gift for portraying internally fractured characters, balancing on the border between genius and madness. His character is the intellectual center of the group. He is the one who plans, calculates, but he also bears the greatest emotional burden. Musialowski perfectly captures the drama that succumbs to the temptation to take shortcuts. His acting is full of nuance, in one scene he is a cool calculator, in the last scene he is a frightened boy who has realized that he has gone too far.

Screen chemistry and relationship dynamics: Wieniawa, Musialowski, Sebastian Dela As “Tomasz Straw.”

However, the film is not only about solo performances, but especially about relationships. Reviews highlight the extraordinary chemistry between Wieniawa and Musialowski. Their duet is electrifying. This is not a simple romantic relationship, but a complicated system of dependence and anxiety. This duo is joined by Sebastian Dela, who brings a raw, analytical, masculine energy to the film. The relationship between his character and Musialowski’s protagonist is described as “strong and believable,” being one of the pillars of the plot. The dynamics of a triangle (not necessarily a love triangle ) drives the story. Watching friendship put to the test in the face of big money and police danger is the emotional core of the film. Sebastian Dela as a hack friend, a young actor recently nominated for the Zbyszek Cybulski Award, who “while remaining in the background, seizes an important space for himself.”

It is worth mentioning that the film also boasts an excellent supporting cast. Recognized actors appear, such as Jan Frycz (as a retired gangster), Piotr Stramowski (a lawyer familiar with the underworld), Jaroslaw Boberek (a prosecutor) and Przemyslaw Bluszcz in the role of Hania’s father. Although their episodes are short, they bring authenticity and enrich the background of the story. Such a strong cast ensures that even if the script slows down at times, there will always be someone on the screen who catches our attention.

Director Damian Matyasik and music producer Maciej Zielinski

The aesthetics and sound of Katowice as Poland’s “Night City”

“I Want More” is a film that stands out among Polish productions for its attention to the visual side. The decision to set the action in Katowice turned out to be a hit. Katowice in the lens of the creators is not the gray mining city of the past. It is the metropolis of the future. 90% of the photos were shot in this city, using its unique architecture: the cosmic Katowice saucer, the modern KTW office buildings, the Culture Zone. The city becomes a full-fledged hero of the film – cool, neon, sultry, but also fascinating. Night drone shots of the city, reflections of lights all build an atmosphere of mystery and danger. For viewers tired of the “Warszawocentrism” of Polish cinema, Katowice offers freshness and a new visual quality. This is Poland, which looks like the world’s metropolises, which corresponds perfectly with the theme of the global network and cybercrime.

“Soundtrack of a movie,” an electronic symphony by Maciej Zielinski

The film’s sound layer deserves a separate paragraph. The music composed by Maciej Zielinski (in collaboration with the director) is the pulsating heart of the production. This is modern electronica that is not afraid of strong beats and ambient spaces. The soundtrack not only illustrates the action, but drives it. Reviews point to the excellent use of licensed tracks (including “Big City Life” and songs by artist Sarius) and the original soundtrack, which at times “rumbles” and dents the seat. In a movie theater with a good sound system, the music becomes a physical experience. This is one of those films where silence is rare and the sound builds tension as effectively as the picture. What’s more, and this is sometimes a sore point in Polish cinema, the dialogues are well audible over the background sounds and music, which is sure to please viewers who are tired of constantly straining their ears. Aesthetically, then, the film looks very solid, combining modern style with attention to detail, which fits well with the sensibilities of women who value quality from the screen and music as much as a good story.

Social context: what we keep quiet about, scrolling

“I Want More” is a de facto entertainment film, but set on a sociological foundation. Damian Matyasik’s film is a bitter diagnosis of the contemporary culture of success (the so-called “hustle culture”). The educational theme of the film cannot be underestimated. In an age when our lives have moved online, awareness of the dangers is crucial. The film shows that anyone can become a victim of cybercrime, not only a naive senior citizen, but also a bright young person. Phishing methods are becoming more and more perfect. “I Want More” makes you aware that in the digital world you can’t trust anyone or anything on your word. This is an important voice in the discussion of digital hygiene and security. The introduction of e-sports threads is a nod to the giant gaming community. The film shows gaming not as a game, but as a professional business in which money (the main character is a game coach) and great emotions circulate. The director, hailing from this milieu, takes care of the credibility of the details. For viewers outside the “gaming bubble,” this can be an interesting journey into a world that usually remains hermetic.

Cinematic landscape 2026 and the condition of Polish cinema

The year 2026 finds Polish cinema in excellent shape. The successes of films such as “Good Housekeeping,” “Vinci 2” and “Mother-in-Laws” have shown that Polish viewers want to watch domestic productions. “I Want More” is part of this trend, offering production quality at the European level. Polish cinema has stopped having complexes. Creators are not afraid to reach for genres previously reserved for Hollywood, and “I Want More” is the best proof of this. Js the editors of GentleWoman Poland, we confidently recommend “I Want More” as a choice for a weekend evening. This is not “another Polish comedy” that you will forget about an hour after leaving the cinema. Instead of banal confessions, this film will provoke you to discuss trust, technology and boundaries that are not worth crossing. It’s “smart-movie” at its best. In a world where everyone wants “more,” this movie reminds us that sometimes it’s worth wanting “smarter.” Go to the cinema, get carried away, and make sure your account passwords are secure.

Katowice by night - frame from the film I Want More — Valentine's Day cinema with a woman's soul - the film "I want more" is a story of love and cyberspace on the screen. 10

Is the movie “I want more” worth seeing?

For viewers looking for emotion, aesthetics and a topic for reflection in cinema, “I want more” seems a worthy proposition. It’s a film that combines the female perspective of the heroine played by Julia Wieniawa and the sensitivity expressed in its focus on feelings, relationships and moral choices. During the Valentine’s Day period, it may prove to be an ideal choice for couples looking for something other than another romantic comedy, but also for girlfriends who want to discuss more serious matters after the screening. Looking at it objectively, Damian Matyasik’s film is an interesting voice of the young generation in Polish cinema: an ambitious debut based on a true story that inspires both admiration and reflection on the price that can be paid for wanting “more.” Of course, if one expects a pure sensation or a dizzying actioner, one may be surprised by the quieter pace and psychological draw of “I Want More.” However, for those who appreciate cinematic diversity of genres, built exposition on actors and real-life stories, it will be a breath of fresh air. GentleWoman Poland recommends this title as a film worth going to the cinema, which provides entertainment, but also makes you think about the limits of love, loyalty and morality. In a world where we often want more, money, success and excitement, Matyasik’s film asks what price our “more” comes at and whether we are willing to pay it.

Julia Wieniawa and Maciej Musiałowski at the cinema

Sources: The text uses material from Filmweb, PPE.pl, Interia.pl, Glamour.pl, as well as statements by filmmakers and reviews quoted from the above sources.

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