"Mistyczka" draws almost 250,000 viewers in Polish cinemas with Church backing

The low-key Polish production "Mistyczka" (The Mystic) has become an unexpected box-office success. According to the WP Film website (published on 30 October 2026), almost 250,000 people have now seen the story of Alicja Lenczewska in cinemas. Dorota Chotecka-Pazura stars in the lead role.

Who the heroine was

Alicja Lenczewska was not a household name. She was a teacher from Szczecin. A turning point in her life came during a retreat in Gostyń. As she later described it, she had a spiritual experience there that changed the way she saw the world. Over the next 23 years she meticulously wrote down her experiences, prayers and mystical encounters.

After her death, her notes were examined by a theological commission of the Archdiocese of Szczecin-Kamień. They were later published and found readers across Poland.

How the film was made

The production was partly funded by a crowdfunding campaign backed by almost 6,000 donors. The script was discussed with people close to Alicja Lenczewska, including her sister-in-law Dorota Lenczewska, who was present during filming.

The film also received support from the Church and Catholic organisations. The Polish Bishops' Conference gave it honorary patronage. Archdiocesan structures and Catholic websites also promoted it.

The film's director and producer, Jan Sobierajski, said: "There has never been a Polish production like this!" He described it as a feature-length story about the search for happiness and love, in which a person encounters the depth of mysticism. He added that Alicja's notes are sometimes compared to the diary of St Faustina Kowalska.

Success beyond the multiplexes

"Mistyczka" is shown mainly in single-screen and arthouse cinemas. According to the WP Film author, this shows that a film can still be a box-office success in Poland without the multiplexes. He also argues that audiences are ready to go to the cinema in large numbers for religious films.

In his view, the success is not due solely to Church promotion. The popularity of Alicja Lenczewska's diaries, recommendations from viewers and word of mouth also play a part.