How Far Can a Decent Man Fall?

A Decent Man is a new Polish series, which just dropped on HBO last week. This crime drama with elements of psychological thriller delves into the story of Paweł, a successful heart surgeon with a loving wife and teenage son. He seems to have a good life. But then, one careless decision after another turns everything upside down.

The situation reaches its peak with his son becoming a victim of bullying — and the way Paweł chooses to respond to the abusers becomes the heart of the story.

Directed by Aleksandra Terpińska, the series is set in contemporary Warsaw. From the very beginning, the story carries a tense atmosphere, further intensified by its primary color palette — cold blue tones — typical for crime narratives. The opening scenes place us in a dense forest, symbolizing the protagonist's sense of confusion and being lost. It quickly becomes clear that this series is not for the faint of heart. The visuals are not just realistic but almost disturbingly naturalistic. For instance, scenes of open-heart surgery may be difficult to watch for more sensitive viewers.

This series masterfully builds an atmosphere of tension, fear, and, at times, helplessness. It will appeal to fans of dark philosophical stories, crime, and thrillers. At the same time, it’s definitely not “light” evening entertainment — for many viewers, it may feel heavy due to its intense plot, emotionally oppressive tone, and occasionally shocking visuals.

So far, only the first episode is available on HBO, but it already outlines the main conflicts of the story. While we do see typical external tensions — such as strained parent-child relationships or bullying — the core of the drama lies in the internal struggles Paweł must face. One of the first things we learn about this man is that he’s spent his life running away from making decisions. But now, he’s reached a point where he can no longer simply drift with the current.