search
Review

THE LAST SPARK OF HOPE. Polish Sci-Fi, And It’s Good [REVIEW]

After the world’s end, a lone survivor and her worn-out robot fight to endure in post-apocalyptic Poland.

Filip Pęziński

29 January 2025

the last spark of hope

The world has ended. After a series of climate disasters, wars, and refugee crises, the wealthiest people on the planet fled into space, leaving Earth behind like discarded household appliances. In the post-apocalyptic wastelands of what was once Poland, Ewa, a young grunge enthusiast, survives alone in a survival base prepared by her father. She clings to hope, trying to establish contact with other survivors—but so far, to no avail. Her only companion is a worn-out robot, Artur. The Last Spark of Hope skillfully draws from classic sci-fi cinema and the aesthetics of post-apocalyptic films.

Every element of the world presented has likely appeared on the big or small screen before—whether in the Terminator series or Disney’s WALL-E. But this is not a criticism. olish cinema (aside from Sexmission, which is a completely different case) has no real tradition of post-apocalyptic sci-fi. It has every right to build upon the achievements of Western filmmakers—especially since the themes explored in such films remain painfully relevant. Director and screenwriter Piotr Biedroń expertly introduces a plot twist that transforms the film into an intense survival thriller right up to the very last minute.

And all of this unfolds within a framework that, while not entirely original, serves as an important and still unfinished lesson on the dangers of human-induced climate change and the unchecked rise of artificial intelligence. An especially intriguing and thought-provoking aspect of The Last Spark of Hope is its exploration of climate wars and environmental refugees.

The Last Spark of Hope – quality Genre Cinema from Poland

the last spark of hope

This lesson is delivered through an impressively executed sci-fi production. Biedroń created his film with funding from the Polish Film Institute’s micro-budget program, limiting its costs to just one million złotys. The restricted budget is evident on screen but only serves to highlight the filmmakers’ ingenuity. The film impresses with its set design, costumes, practical effects, and well-chosen locations. It also stands out visually, featuring striking cinematography that plays with contrast and light to effectively build atmosphere. The music is equally compelling, at times reminiscent of Christopher Nolan’s scores and at others echoing the electronic sounds of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

Another major strength of the film is its cast—minimalist to the extreme. The only actor on screen is Magdalena Wieczorek (Zadra), while Jacek Beler (Other People) provides the voice of Artur, the robot. Wieczorek, in particular, deserves praise for carrying the entire film in what is essentially a one-woman show. Her performance instantly brings to mind the great survival film heroines, such as Sandra Bullock in Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity.

Although the dialogue is occasionally heavy with exposition, and the world’s internal logic somewhat loosely defined, these flaws are easy to overlook. Without the explanatory dialogue, the audience might feel lost in the story’s context, and the film compensates for its stylistic liberties with well-placed moments of dark humor that add necessary levity.

The Last Spark of Hope is simply a well-crafted genre film—engaging in its storytelling and ideologically aligned with the best works of its kind. As someone unaccustomed to seeing this type of cinema from Poland, I experienced a true cinephile’s delight.

Filip Pęziński

Filip Pęziński

Raised on Burton's "Batman," Verhoeven's "RoboCop" and Lester's "Commando." Lover of superhero movies, Star Wars and the work of the Wachowski sisters. The best movie he has ever seen in his life is "In Bruges".

See other posts from this author >>>

Advertisment