Watch The Hater

The Hater is a 2020 Polish-language thriller that tells the story of a young man named Tomasz Giemza (Maciej Musialowski) who becomes involved in a web of lies, manipulation, and violence as he tries to navigate his life in the modern world. Tomasz is a recent law school dropout, struggling to find his place in a society that he sees as corrupt and hypocritical. He is also deeply bitter and resentful, having grown up in poverty and feeling like he has been left behind by the rest of the world.

After getting a job at a social media company that specializes in online reputation management, Tomasz becomes increasingly obsessed with the power he feels from manipulating people's online personas. He begins to use his skills to create fake news stories, spread rumors, and turn people against each other - all in the name of gaining influence and control over those around him.

As the consequences of Tomasz's actions begin to spiral out of control, he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a journalist named Gabi (Vanessa Aleksander) who is on the trail of the truth behind the various online campaigns. Meanwhile, Tomasz's personal life becomes increasingly complicated as he becomes romantically involved with Gabi's sister (Agata Kulesza) and takes on a shady client (Danuta Stenka) who is looking to boost her political career by any means necessary.

The Hater is a tense, unnerving film that explores some of the darkest corners of modern society. Through Tomasz's journey, we see how our obsession with social media and online influence has created a world where truth and integrity are constantly at risk - and where those who are most skilled at manipulating others can gain almost unlimited power.

At its core, the film is a character study of Tomasz and the various people whose lives he affects. Musialowski delivers a chilling performance as the main character, capturing the sense of desperation and nihilism that drives his actions. Aleksander is also strong as the hard-nosed journalist who becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth about Tomasz's campaigns.

Director Jan Komasa effectively creates a sense of unease throughout the film, with moody, atmospheric visuals and a soundtrack that constantly keeps the viewer on edge. The pacing is deliberate and methodical, building tension slowly over the course of the story until it explodes in a violent, chaotic climax.

Overall, The Hater is a disturbing and thought-provoking film that will likely stay with viewers long after the credits roll. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the ways in which social media can be used to manipulate and control people's lives. Highly recommended for fans of dark, intense dramas.