Jakub Gierszał is one of those actors who seems to have bypassed the "struggling artist" phase entirely. Honestly, since his debut in 2009, he’s been everywhere—from indie Polish dramas to big-budget Hollywood productions like Dracula Untold. But if you’re just catching up on Jakub Gierszał movies and tv shows, you might notice he doesn't just play characters; he inhabits them with a specific, restless energy that critics often compare to a young James Dean.
He was born in Kraków but spent a massive chunk of his childhood in Hamburg, Germany. This upbringing gave him a secret weapon: he’s trilingual. He jumps between Polish, German, and English roles without a hint of an accent. It’s probably why he’s become a go-to guy for European co-productions and Netflix thrillers.
The Breakout: Suicide Room and Early Fame
If you want to understand the hype, you have to start with Suicide Room (Sala Samobójców). Released in 2011, this movie was a cultural reset in Poland. Gierszał played Dominik, a wealthy, alienated teenager who retreats into a virtual world. It’s a heavy watch. His performance earned him a Shooting Stars Award at the Berlinale and basically turned him into a household name overnight.
Before Dominik, he was Kazik in All That I Love (Wszystko, co kocham). It’s a punk-rock coming-of-age story set during the Solidarity movement. It’s lighter, sure, but you can already see that magnetic screen presence.
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Essential Polish Cinema
- Yuma (2012): Here, he plays Zyga, a kid from the border who starts smuggling goods from Germany. It's a gritty, fast-paced look at the 90s transition.
- The Lure (2015): This is a weird one—a 1980s-set mermaid horror-musical. Gierszał plays a bass player. It became a cult hit in the US via the Criterion Collection.
- Breaking the Limits (2017): He portrayed Jerzy Górski, a drug addict who became a triathlon champion. It’s one of those classic "triumph of the spirit" movies, but Gierszał keeps it from being cheesy.
Moving Beyond Poland: International Projects
Gierszał didn't stay "just" a Polish star for long. Because he speaks fluent German, he’s a regular in German cinema. Finsterworld is a great example—a strange, satirical look at German identity. He also appeared in Morris from America, an American indie filmed in Germany, playing a mentor figure to a young boy.
Then there’s the big stuff. He had a small role as Acemi in Dracula Untold. While it wasn't a massive part, it showed he could hold his own in a Hollywood environment.
Notable TV Roles
His television work is just as varied. He played Piotr Langer Junior in the long-running series The Defence (Chyłka), which is a staple of Polish TV. More recently, he’s been involved in Langer, a spin-off focused on his character. He also popped up in the TV series version of Das Boot as Schmidt.
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Recent Hits and 2024-2025 Highlights
If you’ve been scrolling through Netflix lately, you’ve likely seen his face. He starred in Colors of Evil: Red (2024) as Leopold Bilski, a prosecutor investigating a dark crime in the Tri-City area. It’s a classic Noir-style thriller that performed really well globally.
Another big 2024 project was White Courage (Biała odwaga). He plays Wolfram von Kamitz, a role that earned him Best Actor at the Toronto Polish Film Festival. It’s a controversial, historical drama about the "Goralenvolk" during WWII, and his performance is incredibly nuanced.
What to watch right now
- Doppelgänger (2023): He plays Hans Steiner, a man living a double life. It’s a high-stakes spy thriller that really shows off his range.
- Ultima Thule (2023): A much smaller, more meditative film. He plays Bartek, a man who travels to an isolated island to find himself.
- Simona Kossak (2024): He plays Lech Wilczek, the partner of the famous biologist.
Why He’s Still Winning
What most people get wrong about Jakub Gierszał is thinking he’s just a "pretty boy" actor. He’s actually incredibly picky with his scripts. He avoids the generic rom-coms that many actors of his generation fell into. Instead, he focuses on roles that challenge the audience.
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Whether it’s playing a mathematician in Adventures of a Mathematician (as Stanislaw Ulam) or a troubled prosecutor, he stays consistent. He’s 37 now, and he’s successfully transitioned from the "troubled teen" roles to mature, leading man territory.
If you’re looking to dive into his filmography, start with Suicide Room for the history, The Lure for the vibes, and Colors of Evil: Red for a modern thriller. You’ll see exactly why he’s considered the face of modern Polish cinema.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Colors of Evil: Red on Netflix if you want a modern crime thriller.
- Look for Doppelgänger on streaming platforms to see his most recent award-nominated performance.
- Follow his upcoming project The Duel, which is currently in production.