The first (and successful) Polish take on historical period horror film, set in 19th century gentry reality. A tale of belief in dark powers, punishment for violation of social norms, tragic death of a woman and her transformation into a werewolf, backed with motifs of struggle for independence and patriotism.
Kacper Wosiński has fought in the January Uprising. Summoned by his brother, he arrives at Sieniawka - his estate, where his wife Maryna dies following a failed abortion. In the final moments of her life, she curses her husband and promises to take her revenge on him. In her hand she holds a wolf paw wrapped in cloth. Maryna has been cursed by her environment and is suspected of having ties with Satan. Kacper runs the Rosołowice estate. He realises that he is being followed by a she-wolf. The owner of the estate is sympathetic to the insurgents and is consequently forced to flee away from the Austrian forces. His wife Julia, who cares only about having fun, stays. She starts an affair with lieutenant von Futstenberg, who has come from Vienna. Kacper is visited by his brother Mateusz, who tells him about the area being haunted by Maryna's ghost. Kacper notices that Julia greatly resembles his dead wife. Doctor Goldberg confirms the possibility of a living creature becoming possessed by Maryna's ghost. The ensuing developments seem to prove his suspicions. Wosiński decides to kill the werewolf and prepares a silver bullet. He kills Julia and escapes to Sieniawka after getting wounded by the soldiers. After returning to his estate, the owner of Rosołowice decides to move Julia's remains to the family tomb. In the coffin he discovers a she-wolf skeleton.
