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Krystyna Janda

Krystyna Janda

Actor · Born December 18, 1952 (73) · Starachowice, Poland

Krystyna Jolanta Janda (Polish: [krɨˈstɨ.na ˈjan.da]; born 18 December 1952) is a Polish film and theatre actress, director, and singer. She is best known internationally for playing leading roles in several films by Polish film director Andrzej Wajda, including Man of Marble (Człowiek z marmuru, 1976) and Man of Iron (Człowiek z żelaza, 1981). She is widely considered one of the most popular and successful Polish actresses of her generation and an icon of Polish cinema. In 1981, she played in the Academy Award-winning movie Mephisto. In 1982, she played the lead character in Ryszard Bugajski's film Przesłuchanie (Interrogation), which first premiered seven years later in 1989, following the collapse of communism. Despite the film's late release, she garnered international acclaim for her performance, including winning Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival and Polish Film Festival in 1990. Janda is also known for her leading role in the second episode of Dekalog series of Krzysztof Kieślowski. In 2020, she won the Polish Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in drama film Dolce Fine Giornata. Her accolades and honours also include the Zbigniew Cybulski Award (1978), Gold Cross of Merit (1989), Gloria Artis Gold Medal for Merit to Culture (2005), Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2011), and Special Jury Award for Acting at the Sundance Film Festival (2019). Because of her prominent role in Polish culture, has been described as a "legend of Polish cinema and theatre" and a "national treasure". Description above from the Wikipedia article Krystyna Janda, licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.    

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 18, 1952 (73)
From
Starachowice, Poland
Works as
Actor
Titles
13 on Motif · 73 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 8% in 30 days

What are Krystyna Janda's films like?

Across their 11 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Power and Survival.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Motif score: 80th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Motif score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Power
28%
Survival
20%
Morality
18%
Self
13%
Society
12%
Bonds
6%
Ideas
3%
Oppression3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 0 · Serious 0 · Dark 11

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 2

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 3 · Intense 8

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 0 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 5

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 0 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 8

Ambiguous: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their ambiguous movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 2 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 4
Hero
2 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
8
Tense
6
Dread
6
Contemplative
3
Absurd
1
Other
4

How their films linger

Thought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Krystyna Janda's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 6 of their 13 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (2).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Krystyna Janda's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

73 credits, 13 with a Motif page; 8 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Lalka(2026)

    as Joanna Karolowa

    Motif score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Clowns (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    as Krystyna Janda

  • Still Here (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 3 episodes · as Maria Czułkowska

  • My Agent (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • How I Fell in Love with a Gangster(2022)

    as Rita

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Kayko and Kokosh(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Flying School Principal (voice)

    Motif score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Kill It and Leave This Town(2020)

    as Janek's Mother (voice)

    Motif score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Królestwo kobiet (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 8 episodes · as Ineza Klin

  • Slodki koniec dnia(2019)

    as Maria Linde

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Julius (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)

    as Krystyna Janda

  • Aktorka (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • Damaged (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    as Dulska, babka Melanii

  • All About My Parents (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    as Grandmother

  • Walesa: Man of Hope(2013)

    as Agnieszka (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Motif score: 57th percentile of all films

  • In Treatment (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 17 episodes · as Barbara Lewicka-Lukas

  • Elles(2011)

    as Mutter

    Motif score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Reverse (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Matka/Babcia Sabiny

  • Sweet Rush (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Marta / Actress

  • A Few People, a Little Time (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    as Jadwiga

  • The Call of the Toad (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Aleksandra Piatkowska

  • Wizyta starszej pani (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    as Klara Zachanassian

  • Przedwiośnie (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 6 episodes · as Jadwiga Barykowa

  • Przedwiośnie (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Jadwiga Barykowa

  • Weiser (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Elka

  • The Yellow Scarf (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Life as a Fatal Sexually Transmitted Disease (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Anna

  • Weekend Stories: Unwritten Law (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    as Halina

  • An Air So Pure (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Mme Leduroy

  • Matka swojej matki (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    as Ewa Kozłowska

  • Pestka (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Director · as Agata

  • Tato (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    as Magda, lawyer

  • Kuchnia polska (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Margaret Szymanko, żona Stanisława

  • Der große Bellheim (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 4 episodes · as Maria Bellheim

  • Dismissed From Life (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as "Francuzka"

  • Polish Cuisine (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Margaret Szymanko

  • Interrogation(1989)

    as Antonina Dziwisz

    Motif score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Dekalog (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dorota Geller

  • Inventory (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Julia

  • Decalogue V (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Dorota Geller

  • Inner State (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as żeglarka Ewa Jaskólska

  • Decalogue II (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Dorota Geller

  • On the Silver Globe(1988)

    as Aza

    Motif score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Wilder Westen inclusive (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 3 episodes · as Marianne

  • A Short Film About Killing(1988)

    as Dorota

    Motif score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Fik-Mik (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    as doktor Anita, kochanka wiceministra

  • Suspended (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    as Anna

  • Laputa (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    as Małgorzata

  • Eine blassblaue Frauenschrift (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Amélie Tachezy

  • My Mother's Lovers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Krystyna Traczyk

  • The Cop & the Girl (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Gerlinde

  • Vertiges (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Maria

  • O-Bi, O-Ba: The End of Civilization (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Gea

  • Eine blassblaue Frauenschrift (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    as Amélie Tachezy

  • Synthesis (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    as Gloria Lamb

  • It's Only Rock (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    as Majka Lenczewska

  • On, ona, oni (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Psychologist (segment 2)

  • Embers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Anna

  • Bella Donna (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Lena

  • Espion, lève-toi(1982)

    as Anna Gretz

    Motif score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The War of the Worlds: Next Century(1981)

    as Gea

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Man of Iron (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    as Agnieszka

  • In Broad Daylight (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    as Ewa

  • Mephisto(1981)

    as Barbara Bruckner

    Motif score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Golem (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    as Rozyna

  • The Conductor (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    as Marta

  • The Green Bird (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    as Katzka Widuchowski

  • Doktor Murek (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 7 episodes · as Arletka · as Zoska 'Arletka'

  • Without Anesthesia (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Agata

  • The Border (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Elżbieta Biecka

  • Madame Bovary, That's Me (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    as Krystyna

  • Man of Marble (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    as Agnieszka

  • Clouds of War (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as dziewczyna tańcząca na weselu (nie występuje w napisach)

  • A Sketch in Six Parts (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 73 titles from 1973 to 2026; peak year 1988.

Biggest box office

Elles (2011)

$3.8M worldwide

Highest rated

A Short Film About Killing (1988)

Motif 97th

Most popular right now

Elles (2011)

Film career

19732026

Peak 1988 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 4 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1977Screen debut· Man of Marble
  • 1977First top-billed film· Man of Marble
  • 1989Career best· Decalogue II

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting73 of 73: 72 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Motif score67thDirecting1 of 73: 0 only directing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s7 · acting1980s31 · acting1990s9 · 9 acting · 1 crew2000s10 · acting2010s8 · acting2020s8 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 24% of 21 roles
778292

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Krystyna Janda's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 74th percentile, the median of all 12; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 81st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

78thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Motif score across 13 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

None of their 13 titles divides audiences: 5 are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Mixed5

Most loved · actor

A Short Film About Killing (1988)

Motif 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 56. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Krystyna Janda's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 Motif titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 89 · severeMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles26–73 · median 66 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 31
Profanity3 titlesmedian 21 · mildMedian of all films: 35
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 83 · severeMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Krystyna Janda work with?

People who share at least 2 of Krystyna Janda's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Andrzej Seweryn shares the most, 2.

Actors

Producers

Mixed roles