An overambitious young man uses social media, as well as friends and family, to achieve his immoral goals.
Two qualities stand out right off the bat: Tomasz’s manipulation skills and Aleksandra Gowin’s non-linear editing skills. Both of them unfold brilliantly along with the narrative.
Writer Mateusz Pacewicz collaborates once more with director Jan Komasa after the amazing Corpus Christi (2019) – review to follow – and, once more, shocks society to its core. There are plenty of scary scenarios and people here… Tomasz Giemza is a person who shouldn’t be walking on the streets. Why? Men like him bring out the worst in people and remorselessly manipulate them, individually and collectively. In both cases, since we all have weaknesses, no one can blame us for that. Who is to be blamed, though, is the people behind social media who support that manipulation and enhance it by reaching out to the larger masses. Social media are merely tools and platforms of communication, but the way the “puppeteers” operate them can shape, control, manipulate, and even tear apart societies. Sacha Baron Cohen very eloquently described one of them as: “the greatest propaganda machine in history” that would even allow Hitler to run his propaganda.
Besides social media, though, I believe The Hater‘s best achievement is Tomasz’s character development. He is a psychopath with the phenomenal ability to learn from his mistakes and constantly up his game, eventually manipulating the manipulators. Absolutely amazing! You’ll catch yourself loving the way he does it while hating him at the same time.
Last but not least, Agata Kulesza always deserves a separate mention, no matter what she’s in. She shines in Pawel Pawlikowsi’s films as much as in this one. She is an Oscar-worthy actress, and I hope she wins it one day. Whether she does or not, she’ll always be a first-class thespian.
This is an excellent example of modern European cinema, with profound filmmaking techniques, intriguing performances, plenty of visuals, and food for thought. It’s definitely a must-watch!
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Solidarity for all the innocent lives who suffer the atrocities of war!
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