In Kyiv's post-war cinematic landscape, Iryna Kostyuk has been pushing the boundaries of what Ukraine can do for itself – both domestically and internationally. A Ukrainian horror movie producer, she's not only making waves with her productions but also proving that even in the darkest of times, there is room for storytelling.
Kostyuk's production company is behind The Witch: Revenge, a film about a witch who unleashes her powers after Russian soldiers kill her fiancé. Filmed using real Russian uniforms captured from battlefield, the movie became an unexpected hit in Ukraine last year. Its success laid the groundwork for Kostyuk's subsequent horror universe cycle – Heroines of the Dark Times. Her second film in this series, The Dam, takes inspiration from Soviet-era experiments and features a unit of Ukrainian soldiers battling undead Soviet forces while facing their innermost fears.
Kostyuk attributes her films' unique blend of horror and dark humor to Ukraine's rich mythology and the changing public mood during wartime. While last year's audience craved revenge against Russia, this year they're seeking escapism through stories like The Dam – albeit modest business is a reminder that demand can shift rapidly in times of war.
A testament to Kostyuk's resilience is her latest production, Mavka: The True Myth, shot during wartime and delivered on schedule despite air raids. If the Ukrainian cinema scene has a heroine of dark times, she seems like an ideal candidate – making zombie movies while dealing with constant military threats takes remarkable resolve.
As international interest in Kostyuk's work grows, so does her concern about safety – though no longer seen as a major factor when choosing locations. Instead, audiences' tastes are rapidly evolving; where last year they craved vengeance, today they're searching for an escape from the hardships of war.
Kostyuk's production company is behind The Witch: Revenge, a film about a witch who unleashes her powers after Russian soldiers kill her fiancé. Filmed using real Russian uniforms captured from battlefield, the movie became an unexpected hit in Ukraine last year. Its success laid the groundwork for Kostyuk's subsequent horror universe cycle – Heroines of the Dark Times. Her second film in this series, The Dam, takes inspiration from Soviet-era experiments and features a unit of Ukrainian soldiers battling undead Soviet forces while facing their innermost fears.
Kostyuk attributes her films' unique blend of horror and dark humor to Ukraine's rich mythology and the changing public mood during wartime. While last year's audience craved revenge against Russia, this year they're seeking escapism through stories like The Dam – albeit modest business is a reminder that demand can shift rapidly in times of war.
A testament to Kostyuk's resilience is her latest production, Mavka: The True Myth, shot during wartime and delivered on schedule despite air raids. If the Ukrainian cinema scene has a heroine of dark times, she seems like an ideal candidate – making zombie movies while dealing with constant military threats takes remarkable resolve.
As international interest in Kostyuk's work grows, so does her concern about safety – though no longer seen as a major factor when choosing locations. Instead, audiences' tastes are rapidly evolving; where last year they craved vengeance, today they're searching for an escape from the hardships of war.
. I mean, can't she just film in a studio or something? It's not like her production company is hurting anyone by making zombie movies during wartime 
. And whats up with the whole "audiences' tastes are rapidly evolving" thing? Like, they went from wanting revenge to just wanting an escape from war? What happened to people wanting more substance in their horror movies? 
. I still love The Witch: Revenge tho 
I think its awesome how Iryna Kostyuk is turning her fears into art 
and creating this whole universe of dark fantasy stories that Ukraine can call its own 
It's like she's saying "hey, even in the midst of all this chaos, we can still find a way to tell our own stories and have some fun" 
And I love how her films are inspired by Soviet-era experiments and Ukrainian mythology - it's like she's giving us a new perspective on our history 
What I'm curious about is how she manages to balance the dark themes with humor, does that come naturally to her or is it something she has to work at? 
I think what's really cool about Iryna Kostyuk is that she's not only making a name for herself in the film industry but also using her platform to explore some heavy themes like trauma and PTSD through horror movies 
. And honestly, it's not surprising that people are drawn to escapism right now - war can be so draining 
. The fact that Mavka: The True Myth was shot during wartime and still managed to come out on schedule is just a testament to her skill and dedication 
. I'm also loving how she's evolving her style with the Heroines of the Dark Times series, it's like she's not afraid to take risks and push boundaries in her storytelling 
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. And I love how she's still pushing herself despite all the craziness going on in Ukraine 
, making zombie movies while dealing with air raids? 
and showcase the country's rich culture on the big screen 
! Her horror movies may seem dark, but she's actually using them as a way to cope with the harsh realities of war 
. And honestly, who wouldn't want to watch a zombie movie with a Soviet twist? 
It's like The Dam is the perfect escape from all the difficulties of war 
!
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. I mean, can you imagine having to deal with air raids while trying to film a zombie movie? 
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, but now they're looking for something a little more... relaxing? 
It's like the world just needs some more zombies and spooky vibes right about now 
I'm loving how Iryna Kostyuk is bringing dark storytelling to Ukraine's cinematic scene! Her productions are like a breath of fresh air in these tough times. The way she weaves horror and humor together is pure genius 
, especially with all the mythology from our rich history. And the fact that she's pushing boundaries despite the war is super inspiring 
. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next! 
And you know what's even crazier? The fact that she's making zombie movies while dealing with air raids and military threats. That's dedication 
She has a production company behind 3 films in a horror series - The Witch: Revenge (2022) = 1M+ views, Heroines of the Dark Times: The Dam (2024) = 500k views, Mavka: The True Myth (2025) = 200k views 
Her films have gained international attention, with 80% of her audience coming from abroad 
The Ukrainian horror genre is on the rise, with a 25% increase in box office sales since last year 
(pre-war era: <20%)
️! her way of combining dark humor and mythology is so unique & captivating 
. I love that she's not afraid to tackle tough topics like war, loss & inner fears 
she's literally breaking barriers in Ukrainian cinema and I'm obsessed with her work! #TheWitchRevenge was such a game changer last year, and The Dam just dropped and it's like whoa 
her ability to blend horror & dark humor is pure genius #HorrorMovieProducers #UkrainianCinema is on fire 
? kudos to her for staying focused on her craft despite all the chaos around her 
. The way she blends horror and humor is GENIUS 
. And can we talk about how much I love the use of real Russian uniforms from the battlefield? That's some next-level filmmaking right there! 
It's so cool to see Ukrainian cinema thriving, especially during these tough times. Let's give it up for Kostyuk and her team 
she's so brave making these films during wartime and still managing to deliver them on schedule 
. I also love how she incorporates mythology into her stories it's like she's tapping into something deep and dark