Some musical biopics are more interesting because of the music, while others succeed because of the story behind the artist. Less of a Stranger (2026), the Polish biographical drama directed by Kristoffer Rus, manages to do a pretty good job of combining both. Inspired by the life of Jan Borysewicz, the legendary guitarist and driving force behind the Polish rock band Lady Pank, the film tells a story about ambition, rebellion, music, and the personal price of success.
Originally titled Mniej obcy, the film takes us back to a period in Polish history when music could mean much more than simply entertainment. It was also a form of expression, an escape from everyday reality, and, in many ways, a symbol of freedom. While the film has some noticeable weaknesses, particularly when it comes to its storytelling and emotional development, it turns out to be a considerably more interesting experience than many Hollywood music biopics.
Less of a Stranger Does a Good Job Recreating the Period
One of the things Less of a Stranger gets right is its presentation of the period in which the story takes place. The film does a pretty convincing job of recreating the atmosphere of communist Poland, particularly through its locations, costumes, production design, and overall visual style.
There is a clear effort to make the different periods feel believable, and for the most part, that works rather well. The clothes, hairstyles, interiors, and general surroundings help establish the passing of time without constantly having to remind the audience which year they are watching.
There is one element that occasionally takes you out of the experience, though: the wigs. Some of them look rather artificial and are not particularly convincing. It is a relatively small issue, but noticeable enough to mention in a film that otherwise puts quite a bit of effort into recreating its historical setting.
Still, the overall atmosphere is one of the film's stronger elements, and it helps make the story feel grounded in a specific time and place.
The Biggest Problem Is the Lack of Emotional Build-Up
A common problem with biographical films that cover several years, or even decades, is that they sometimes have too much story to tell in too little time. As a result, important events can happen surprisingly quickly, without receiving the development they really need.
Unfortunately, Less of a Stranger occasionally suffers from exactly this problem.
The film follows Jan Borysewicz through different stages of his life and career, covering his early fascination with rock music, his development as a musician, and his eventual rise to fame. Naturally, this requires the story to move forward at a fairly steady pace. However, there are moments when the transitions between major events feel a little too abrupt.
This becomes particularly noticeable when the film deals with some of its more emotional and dramatic developments. Certain events clearly have a significant impact on the characters, but because the film does not always spend enough time building towards them, their emotional impact is not quite as strong as it could have been.
It is not that these moments are uninteresting or poorly presented. Rather, the film sometimes moves on before the audience has really had enough time to process what has happened. A little more patience in the storytelling would have made several dramatic moments considerably more effective.
A Convincing Look at Jan Borysewicz's Rise to Fame
Where the film succeeds particularly well is in showing where its main character's motivation comes from.
You get a pretty good understanding of why Jan Borysewicz becomes so passionate about music and why he is willing to put so much of himself into becoming a successful musician. His ambition does not simply appear out of nowhere. The film makes a genuine effort to show how his fascination with rock music develops into something that eventually defines his entire life.
It also does a good job of showing his gradual growth as an artist. We see how he develops his musical abilities, becomes more confident in his own talent, and slowly establishes himself as a musician with a distinctive identity.
Just as importantly, the film shows how his growing abilities translate into recognition and popularity. His journey from a relatively unknown musician to the frontman of one of Poland's most popular rock bands feels like an important part of the story rather than simply something the film has to get through before reaching the next dramatic event.
And perhaps the best thing about this is that you really do not have to enjoy the particular kind of music Jan plays to appreciate his journey. Even if Polish rock music is not something you would normally listen to, the film makes it easy to understand his passion and the importance that music has in his life.
Why Lady Pank's Music Mattered in Communist Poland
Another aspect that works quite well is the way Less of a Stranger demonstrates why this music was so important to the people living during that particular period.
For the audience, the songs are obviously an important part of the experience, but the film also makes an effort to show what they represented to the people listening to them. Music was not simply something people put on in the background. It could offer a sense of identity, excitement, hope, and freedom in a society where everyday life was often considerably more restrictive.
This is also what makes the film interesting for viewers who did not grow up during that period. You do not need to have any personal memories of communist Poland or any previous knowledge of Lady Pank to understand why the band's music connected with so many people.
However, this is also where I would have liked the film to go a little further.
Communist Poland plays a very important role in the story, not only as the setting but also as a major influence on Jan's life and the music he creates. The political and social circumstances clearly help explain why the desire for freedom and rebellion becomes such an important part of his identity.
Unfortunately, I would have liked to see more attention paid to what everyday life was actually like under the communist regime. The film gives us enough to understand the general circumstances, but it rarely explores them as deeply as it could have. Considering how closely the political environment is connected to the story being told, a little more background would have added another interesting layer to the film.
A More Interesting Music Biopic Than Many Hollywood Productions
What surprised me most about Less of a Stranger is just how engaging it manages to be despite its relatively familiar subject matter.
We have seen plenty of musical biopics over the years, particularly from Hollywood, and many of them follow a fairly predictable formula. They introduce the artist, show their rise to fame, explore their personal problems, and eventually work towards some kind of dramatic conclusion.
That does not mean all Hollywood music biopics are bad, of course. However, quite a few of them struggle to offer anything particularly interesting beyond the familiar rise-and-fall narrative.
Less of a Stranger is not entirely free from those same storytelling problems, but there is something about its approach that makes it more engaging than many of those productions. Perhaps it is the unfamiliar setting, the historical background, or simply the fact that it tells the story of an artist whose cultural importance is not necessarily familiar to an international audience.
Whatever the reason, I found this Polish production considerably more interesting than quite a few biopics about musicians who are much more famous internationally.
It also deserves some credit for not requiring the audience to already be familiar with Jan Borysewicz or Lady Pank. The film provides enough context to make the story accessible, while still allowing the music and the historical background to speak for themselves.
Final Verdict: Less of a Stranger Is Well Worth Watching
Less of a Stranger is not a perfect music biopic. Its storytelling occasionally moves too quickly, leaving some emotional and dramatic moments without the build-up they deserve. The artificial-looking wigs are also a minor distraction, and the film could have explored life in communist Poland in considerably more detail.
Nevertheless, there is a lot to appreciate here.
The film does a good job of recreating the period, makes the motivation behind Jan Borysewicz's musical ambitions understandable, and convincingly shows how he gradually grows as an artist and becomes an increasingly popular musician. It also provides an interesting look at the cultural importance of music in communist Poland, making the story accessible even to viewers who have no personal connection to that period.
Most importantly, you do not need to be a fan of Lady Pank or Polish rock music to enjoy the film. Its story and historical context are interesting enough to carry the experience on their own.
Considering how many music biopics Hollywood has produced over the years, it is actually quite refreshing to see a Polish production that manages to be more engaging than many of them.
Less of a Stranger is an enjoyable and surprisingly interesting music biopic that could have been even better with a little more room for its characters and historical background to breathe. Definitely worth checking out.
Rating: 7/10
