Can a horror story begin with a Friday night house party? Bartosz M. Kowalski’s new film “13 Days Till Summer” proves that it can—and in the most ruthless way. The latest trailer has just dropped, offering a first taste of the Polish home-invasion thriller that blends brutal realism with genre suspense. The film hits cinemas across Poland on August 8, following a special pre-premiere screening at the Octopus Film Festival—one of Europe’s most unique events dedicated to genre cinema.
The trailer, full of tension and unsettling images, opens like any regular summer evening: a sleek house, teenage laughter, carefree vibes. But instead of chips, someone brings a crossbow. Instead of music, we hear doors locking and blinds dropping. In “13 Days Till Summer”, a weekend gathering spirals into a fight for survival when an unknown assailant hijacks the smart security system. The situation escalates rapidly—and the camera never lets up.
The film, inspired by real-life cases, was written by Bartosz M. Kowalski, Mirella Zaradkiewicz, and Thor Magnusson. It follows a group of teenagers whose innocent party becomes a bloody nightmare — with no exit, no backup plan, and no help on the way. A ruthless thriller about the illusion of safety and the violence lurking just beyond our walls.
“In 13 Days… technology doesn’t kill — but it creates perfect conditions for evil to act without resistance. And that’s the most terrifying part — that we’ve built this cage ourselves,” says director Bartosz M. Kowalski.
The cast features a rising generation of Polish talent: Katarzyna Gałązka, Antek Sztaba, Teodor Koziar, Julia Mika, Nicole Bogdanowicz, Hubert Łapacz, Borys Otawa, Olga Rayska, and Bartek Deklewa.
OCTOPUS FILM FESTIVAL: A PLACE FOR CINEMA WITHOUT COMPROMISE
“13 Days Till Summer” will have one of its first festival screenings at the Octopus Film Festival in Gdańsk – an event known for its unorthodox programming, cult thematic sections, and special screenings in unique locations like shipyard halls or underground clubs. Organizers say Kowalski’s new film is a perfect fit for the wave of high-quality Polish genre cinema. The film will be shown to audiences ahead of its national release on August 8, 2025. Screenings will be accompanied by Q&A sessions with the filmmakers.
The film is also featured in the Midnight Madness section of the 25th BNP Paribas New Horizons IFF, taking place in Wrocław from July 17 to 27. Audiences will have a chance to meet director and co-writer Bartosz M. Kowalski, producer and co-writer Mirella Zaradkiewicz, and lead actress Katarzyna Gałązka. Festival passes are available for purchase. The Polish film section is presented in partnership with Dr Irena Eris.
Theatrical release across Poland: August 8
Polish distributor: NEXT FILM
Production company: Akson Studio
“13 Days Till Summer”
Official synopsis:
Friday nights in Poland have never been bloodier. When someone shows up to a party with a crossbow and a mask instead of chips, the fun turns into a fight for survival. Technology fails — the killer hijacks the smart home system. Doors lock. Windows seal. The house becomes a trap.
How will you survive when you don’t even know who’s hunting you?
Theatrical premiere: August 8, 2025
Director: Bartosz M. Kowalski
Writers: Bartosz M. Kowalski, Mirella Zaradkiewicz, Thor Magnusson
Cinematography: Cezary Stolecki
Music: Carl-Johan Sevedag
Production design: Natalia Giza
Costume design: Weronika Orlińska
Makeup: Marcin Rodak
Sound: Radosław Ochnio, Piotr Pastuszak
Editing: Jakub Kopeć
Casting director: Paulina Krajnik
Producer: Jan Kwieciński
Executive producer: Małgorzata Fogel-Gabryś
Creative producer: Mirella Zaradkiewicz
Production company: Akson Studio
Distribution in Poland: NEXT FILM
Cast: Katarzyna Gałązka, Antek Sztaba, Teodor Koziar, Julia Mika, Nicole Bogdanowicz, Hubert Łapacz, Borys Otawa, Olga Rayska, Bartek Deklewa