Johnny (2022) Ending Explained – who was Father Jan Kaczkowski?

By Jessica Fontaine
Published: March 23, 2023 (Last updated: March 28, 2023)
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johnny-2022-ending-explained

We discuss the ending of the 2022 Polish Netflix film Johnny which will contain spoilers.

Johnny is a Polish drama film directed by Daniel Jaroszek. It stars Dawid Ogrodnik, Piotr Trojan, Beata Zygarlicka, Maria Pakulnis, and Grazyna Bulka.

The film follows Patryck, a criminal who must do community service for breaking into a house. He does so at the hospice center which is built by Father Jan, who learns that he has six months to live because of cancer.

At the hospice center, Patryck reluctantly does whatever Jan tells him to. He fixes equipment and tends to the patients.

Eventually, his attitude changes, and he starts enjoying it. Patryck also starts cooking more often at the center and follows his dream of being a chef. However, he must avoid Pablo, a man he owes money to.

Patryck befriends a patient named Hania, taking her for walks and reading to her. She gives him the ring from her previous marriage, confiding in him that her husband died in an accident.

Eventually, she passes, and he is devastated, signifying his increased empathy and care for others since he started volunteering there.

Jan believes he is changing, unlike Mr. Roman, a patient who believes a thief will always be a thief. Jan goes on TV to talk about his faith.

READ: Is the movie Johnny on Netflix based on a true story?

He gives a speech about the terminally ill, begging people not to say “It will be ok.” Instead, he advocates for genuine efforts to care for sick people in their last moments.

After this, he tells Patryck to call him Johnny. His mom calls to tell him that his tumor has grown. Patryck receives a letter from the court because he has been delaying his fines.

In court, Jan testifies that Patryck cared for terminally ill patients and did not fake his actions. However, the court determined that Patryck manipulated them and created a false image of himself.

The court didn’t believe in his rehabilitation and orders his sentence to be served. Patryck gets 3 years in prison without parole.

Patryck asks his girlfriend Zaneta to marry him, giving her Hania’s ring. She declines because he is about to go to prison.

With the help of Jan, Patryck’s sentence is reduced, and he returns to hospice. He meets with Pablo, whose mother ended up in hospice, and they make amends.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend reveals to his excitement that she is pregnant.

Patryck discovers that Jan has fallen unconscious. He eventually passes away, and Patryck reminisces on the memories they shared together.

Johnny Ending Explained

Who did Patryck and Pablo kidnap?

Jan had scheduled a job interview for Patryck at San Marco, a prestigious restaurant. He confronts Patryck when he fails to show up.

Patryck confesses that he and Pablo kidnapped Mr. Roman’s son to force him to visit his dying father. Jan is furious with him, but Patryck says he was doing it for him.

At the end of the film, Mr. Roman’s son actually comes to see him but learns he has passed away.

Who was Father Jan Kaczkowski?

The film cuts to the quote, “Instead of waiting your whole life for something, start living today. It’s much later than you think.” We find out that Johnny is based on Father Jan Kaczkowski, a real priest who passed away in 2016.

He is seen giving a speech to a large audience about the existence of God. In the background is a reel of his happiest moments. These include smiling with friends at a party, dancing, flying, and skiing.

At the film’s end, we see Patryck, who has accomplished his dreams of becoming a chef, married Zaneta, and has two children. This is thanks to the guidance of Father Jan, who preached about love and peace.

What did you think of the ending of the 2022 Polish Netflix film Johnny? Comment below.

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