Anxiety (2023) by Slawomir Fabicki

“Anxiety” (2023) is a 96-minute Polish drama film directed by Sławomir Fabicki. It is a touching female road movie that centers on the close relationship between two sisters.

“Anxiety” tells the story of two sisters, Malgorzata and Lucja, whose contrasting personalities and life paths converge during a crucial journey. Malgorzata, the elder sister, is portrayed as controlled, determined, and career-driven, with a life meticulously planned. Lucja, the younger sister, is her opposite: spontaneous, searching for meaning, and devoted to her role as a mother. Despite their differing lifestyles, their lives intertwine when Malgorzata is diagnosed with a terminal illness and decides to seek treatment at a clinic in Switzerland. Lucja takes on the responsibility of driving her sister to this clinic.

However, each sister has a different agenda for this journey. Malgorzata views it as her final path, intending to end her life on her own terms in Switzerland. Lucja, in contrast, hopes to persuade Malgorzata to reconsider her decision and fight for her life. Their road trip becomes a poignant journey filled with conversations, arguments, tears, and moments of laughter. The film explores whether they can rediscover the closeness they once shared and if this significant journey will ultimately be their final farewell.

Director Sławomir Fabicki’s vision for “Anxiety” (2023) is to create an intimate and emotionally resonant portrayal of sisterhood and facing mortality. As co-casting director, Fabicki likely sought to cast actors who could authentically convey the deep bond and contrasting personalities of the two sisters. His direction emphasizes the emotional nuances of their relationship as they confront a life-altering situation. Fabicki’s vision likely focuses on the intimate moments and dialogues between the sisters during their road trip, using the journey as a backdrop to explore themes of life, death, and familial love with realism and empathy.

• Sisterhood and Family Bonds: The central theme is the profound and complex relationship between sisters, exploring the depth of their bond, their differences, and how they support and challenge each other during life’s most significant moments.

• Facing Mortality and End-of-Life Decisions: The film tackles the sensitive theme of terminal illness and the difficult choices surrounding end-of-life decisions. It explores Malgorzata’s desire for autonomy in her final moments and Lucja’s struggle to accept her sister’s choice.

• Contrasting Life Paths: The film highlights the different paths sisters can take in life, represented by Malgorzata’s career focus and Lucja’s dedication to motherhood. It examines how these contrasting choices shape their perspectives and their relationship.

• Communication and Misunderstanding: The road trip setting facilitates intense conversations between the sisters, exploring themes of communication, understanding, and the potential for both connection and conflict even in close relationships.

• Emotional Acceptance and Letting Go: The film likely delves into the emotional journey of acceptance, both for Malgorzata facing her own death and for Lucja learning to accept her sister’s decisions, even if they are painful.

• Life, Death, and the Journey of Life: As a road movie, the journey itself becomes a metaphor for life’s journey, with the sisters confronting fundamental questions about life, death, and the meaning of their relationship as they travel towards an uncertain destination.

• Strong Performances by Lead Actresses: The film’s emotional core relies heavily on the performances of Magdalena Cielecka and Marta Nieradkiewicz as the sisters. Their ability to portray nuanced emotions and the depth of their sisterly bond is crucial.

• Intimate and Character-Driven Narrative: As a character-focused drama, the film’s success depends on its ability to create an intimate and engaging narrative that resonates emotionally with audiences through the sisters’ journey.

• Sensitive and Respectful Handling of Difficult Themes: The film’s treatment of terminal illness and end-of-life decisions needs to be handled with sensitivity, respect, and emotional honesty to resonate authentically.

• Authentic Portrayal of Sisterhood: The film’s portrayal of the sisterly relationship must feel genuine and relatable, capturing the complexities, love, and tensions inherent in such bonds.

• Sławomir Fabicki’s Directorial Approach: Fabicki’s direction, known for its focus on character and emotional realism, is key to shaping the film’s tone and impact, ensuring a poignant and thoughtful viewing experience.

“Anxiety” (2023), directed by Sławomir Fabicki, is a 96-minute Polish drama about two sisters, Malgorzata and Lucja, who embark on a road trip to Switzerland as Malgorzata faces a terminal illness, forcing them to confront their relationship, life choices, and the possibility of final farewell.

“Anxiety” has received 1 win and 5 nominations:

• Polish Film Awards 2024 (Eagles):

• Directors Guild of Poland 2024: Nominated, Krzysztof Krauze Award for Best Director – Slawomir Fabicki

• Camerimage 2023: Nominated, Golden Frog in Polish Films Competition – Slawomir Fabicki (director), Bogumil Godfrejów (cinematographer)

• Polish Film Festival 2023: Nominated, Golden Lions for Best Film – Slawomir Fabicki (director), Dariusz Jablonski, Violetta Kaminska, Izabela Wójcik (producers)

• Warsaw International Film Festival 2023: Nominated, Warsaw Grand Prix – Slawomir Fabicki

Here is the information on the critics’ reception and online reviews for the movie “Anxiety” (2023):

Critics’ reception for “Anxiety” (2023) is currently limited in English-language sources, but available indicators suggest a moderately positive to positive reception, particularly within Poland and film festival circuits.

• Polish Film Awards (Eagles): The film’s win for Best Actress (Magdalena Cielecka) and nomination for Best Actress (Marta Nieradkiewicz) at the prestigious Polish Film Awards (Eagles) strongly suggest positive reception within Poland’s film industry and among Polish critics. Awards recognition of this caliber often reflects critical acclaim within the domestic market.

• Festival Nominations: Nominations at festivals like Camerimage, Polish Film Festival, and Warsaw International Film Festival also indicate positive recognition within the festival circuit, which often serves as an early indicator of critical appreciation.

• Overall Summary: While a comprehensive summary from major English-language sites is not yet possible, the awards and festival recognition in Poland strongly suggest that “Anxiety” has been received positively by critics and the film community within Poland.  The film is likely being praised for its performances, emotional depth, and sensitive exploration of its themes, aligning with Sławomir Fabicki’s established style. As the film potentially gains wider international distribution, more English-language reviews will likely emerge, but for now, the reception can be characterized as promising and likely positive, especially in its home market.

Reviews About Movie Online

Online reviews for “Anxiety” (2023) are currently limited in English, and primarily found on Polish film platforms or festival-related publications.

• IMDb User Reviews: IMDb shows a user rating of 7.0 out of 10, based on 39 ratings. IMDb A 7.0 user rating on IMDb suggests a generally favorable audience reception from those who have seen and rated the film. While user ratings are distinct from professional critic reviews, they can indicate audience engagement and satisfaction.

Overall Sentiment from Online Reviews:

The online review landscape for “Anxiety” (2023), particularly in English, is still developing. However, the available indicators point towards a positive underlying sentiment, especially within Poland. The awards recognition and festival nominations are strong signals of critical approval within its domestic market.

As of February 27, 2025, “Anxiety” has grossed approximately $84,768 worldwide. 

“Anxiety” (2023) is directed by Sławomir Fabicki, with a screenplay by Monika Sobien-Górska. The film is produced by Apple Film Production, with Dariusz Jablonski, Violetta Kaminska, and Izabela Wójcik as producers. The cinematography is by Bogumil Godfrejów, editing by Maciej Pawlinski, and production design by Marcel Beranek, Barbara Damovsky, and Magdalena Dipont. The film is a co-production involving companies from Poland, Switzerland, and Germany, reflecting typical European film financing collaborations.

• Apple Film Production

• Cinédokké (Switzerland)

• Ma.ja.de. Fiction (Germany)

• Eurimages (France) Eurimages (Co-financed by)

• Bundesamt für Kultur (BAK) (Switzerland) Bundesamt für Kultur (BAK) (Co-financed by)

• Mazowiecki i Warszawski Fundusz Filmowy (Poland)

• Fundusz Filmowy](no website found in search) (Co-financed by)

• Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) (Germany) Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) (Co-financed by)

• Polski Instytut Sztuki Filmowej (Poland) Polski Instytut Sztuki Filmowej (Co-financed by)

• RSI-Radiotelevisione Svizzera (Switzerland) RSI-Radiotelevisione Svizzera (Co-production)

• Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) (Germany) Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) (Co-financed by)

• Polsko-Niemiecki Fundusz Filmowy (Poland) [Polsko-Niemiecki Fundusz Filmowy](no website found in search) (Co-financed by)

• Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (Germany) Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (Co-financed by)

• Ticino Film Commission (Switzerland) [Ticino Film Commission](no website found in search) (Co-financed by)

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Award-Winning Performances: Features award-winning performances by Magdalena Cielecka and a nominated performance by Marta Nieradkiewicz, indicating strong acting at its core.

• Intimate and Touching Story of Sisterhood: Offers a deeply personal and moving narrative focused on the complex bond between two sisters facing a life-altering journey.

• Exploration of Profound Themes: Delves into significant themes of family, mortality, end-of-life decisions, and the emotional impact of serious illness.

• Directed by Acclaimed Polish Director: Directed by Sławomir Fabicki, known for his character-driven and socially relevant dramas in Polish cinema.

• European Co-production: Represents high-quality European filmmaking, benefiting from international collaborations and funding.

Why You Should Watch Movie

• If you appreciate character-driven dramas focused on family relationships: “Anxiety” is a deeply personal story about two sisters.

• If you are moved by films that explore themes of life, death, and mortality: The film tackles these profound themes with sensitivity.

• If you admire strong female performances: Magdalena Cielecka’s award-winning performance is a highlight.

• If you are interested in Polish and European cinema: The film showcases contemporary Polish filmmaking within a European co-production context.

• If you are looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant cinematic experience: “Anxiety” promises to be an intimate and moving film that stays with you.

What Movie Trend Film Is Following

• Character-Driven European Drama: “Anxiety” aligns with the strong trend of character-driven European dramas that focus on intimate human stories, family dynamics, and complex emotional landscapes.

• Female-Centric Narrative: As a “female road movie” centered on two sisters, it participates in the trend of films highlighting female perspectives and relationships.

• Festival and Art-House Circuit Film: With nominations at Camerimage, Polish Film Festival, and Warsaw International Film Festival, it follows the trend of art-house films that gain recognition through festival circuits before wider release.

What Big Social Trend Is Following

• Focus on End-of-Life Issues and Palliative Care: The film taps into a growing social conversation around end-of-life choices, palliative care, and the need for open discussions about death and dying.

• Importance of Family and Interpersonal Relationships: It reflects a continuing social emphasis on the significance of family bonds and close relationships as sources of support and meaning, especially when facing life’s challenges.

• Appreciation for Intimate and Personal Stories: In a globalized and often overwhelming media landscape, there’s a social trend towards valuing intimate, personal stories that offer emotional depth and human connection.

“Anxiety” (2023) by Sławomir Fabicki is a poignant and intimate Polish drama that offers a moving exploration of sisterhood, mortality, and life’s journey. Its strengths lie in its award-winning performances, character-driven narrative, sensitive handling of difficult themes, and Fabicki’s direction. Highly recommended for viewers who appreciate European art-house cinema, character-focused dramas, and films that offer profound emotional resonance and thoughtful perspectives on family and life’s significant transitions. While broader critical reception and wider international availability are still developing, “Anxiety” stands out as a film with strong potential to deeply move and engage audiences interested in intimate and meaningful storytelling.