As streaming services expand their international offerings, Polish cinema is gaining traction with global audiences. Netflix added the theatrical release “Sex for Beginners” to its platform January 1st,and the film-based on a popular stage play-quickly rose to the top of the charts in Poland [[1]]. The film’s success arrives alongside a growing industry conversation regarding on-set safety and the increasing demand for intimacy coordination, especially as productions navigate sensitive scenes [[2]], [[3]]. This story examines both the film’s reception and a key issue raised by its star, Helena englert.
The new year traditionally brings a boost to the film industry, with holiday releases – both thematically appropriate and otherwise – hitting theaters and streaming platforms alike. On January 1, Netflix added a theatrical release to its library: “Sex for Beginners.” Polish-language films often find a strong audience, and this one is already making waves.
Helena Englert on Filming Intimate Scenes: “An Intimacy Coordinator Should Be Standard on Set”
“Sex for Beginners,” a popular stage production in Poland in recent years, has now been adapted for the screen. The play, originally written by Canadian playwright Michele Riml, has resonated with audiences worldwide, likely due to its lighthearted and humorous take on universal themes of male-female relationships. The film’s release comes as streaming services continue to invest in international content, broadening their appeal to diverse audiences.
Ilona Ostrowska and Piotr Adamczyk star as a long-married couple whose sex life has stalled. “Conversations about sex? They embarrass them! When they no longer tell each other what they want and how they would like to get closer, they have to take action, and quite radically. With the vulgar guide ‘Sex for Beginners,’ they head to a hotel to practice love in every way and rekindle the flame of passion,” reads a review by Magdalena Drozdek.
At an exclusive spa hotel, the couple unexpectedly encounters Grzegorz (Mikołaj Matczak), a young and handsome manager, and his spontaneous and alluring partner (Helena Englert). Surprising interactions unfold between the four characters. “It’s a solid comedy that you watch without cringing. It has its weaknesses, but this viewing can be a pleasure,” Drozdek concludes.
“Sex for Beginners” had a moderate theatrical run, attracting around 250,000 viewers, compared to over 1.5 million for “The In-Laws 3.” However, it’s already proving to be a hit on streaming, currently ranking as number one in Poland.
