Budapest – Hungarian actress Lovas Rozi is reflecting on the remarkable success of her new thriller, “Itt Érzem Magam Otthon” (I Feel At Home), and using the moment to express a growing disillusionment with societal pressures in Hungary. The film, directed by Gábor Holtai, has resonated deeply with audiences, exceeding 87,000 viewers in less than two weeks since its February 19th release, a figure Rozi describes as “insane.”
Rozi shared her thoughts on Facebook, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming positive response to the film. She stated she has never received such a “huge dose” of uplifting and affirming feedback on her work. Beyond the box office numbers, Rozi believes the film’s success stems from connecting with a uniquely receptive Hungarian audience – one that is “incredibly sensitive, agitated, and hungry for active thinking and action.” This connection, she suggests, was serendipitous, a fortunate alignment despite numerous compromises and challenging circumstances during production.
The film’s journey to the screen was unconventional, as Rozi wryly notes they should “thank the film financing system” for forcing the team to create the movie with limited resources, relying instead on passion and dedication. “Because culture, art, and this film are a noble tool to react to the world around us, to express the dissonances, feelings, thoughts within us, perhaps to formulate criticism,” she wrote. She quoted a sentiment central to the film’s ethos: “Hatalmas a szavak ereje. Mondani, mondani, mondani, mondani kell a dolgokat!” (The power of words is immense. You must say things, say things, say things, say things!).
However, Rozi’s reflections extend beyond the artistic process. She voiced a desire to participate responsibly in shaping the world around her, expressing a deep concern about a societal tendency towards conformity and fear. “I don’t want to be a member of a society that, in the hope of perceived security, is willing to turn a blind eye to anything that is trained to fear, that accepts everything, whether it hits itself or the person next to it, for which We see natural to lie to it, so much so that it has long been doing what it does not dare to speak out, what it does not dare to be itself, what constantly wants to please Papa,” she wrote. This sentiment, she explains, is a core theme explored within “Itt Érzem Magam Otthon.”
“Itt Érzem Magam Otthon”: Critical Acclaim and Box Office Success
“Itt Érzem Magam Otthon,” a 124-minute psychological thriller, premiered in Hungarian cinemas on February 19th, distributed by Forum Hungary. The film stars Lovas Rozi as Rita, a woman held captive, with Molnár Áron playing her captor and Szervét Tibor portraying the head of the family. The supporting cast includes Gryllus Dorka, Simon Kornél, Znamenák István, Józsa Bettina, Zsurzs Kati, and Simon Soma. Szőke Dániel served as the film’s cinematographer.
Prior to its domestic release, the film enjoyed a festival run, culminating in winning the Méliès d’Argent award for Best European Fantastic Feature Film at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in autumn 2025. The film delves into themes of identity crisis and power dynamics, presenting a critical lens on societal issues. According to reports, the film opened with over 31,000 tickets sold during its opening weekend and surpassed 47,000 viewers in its first full week, topping the Hungarian box office charts. Notably, the production was completed without funding from the National Film Institute (NFI), and was supported by an active social media campaign.
The film’s success is particularly noteworthy given its independent production status. As Rozi’s Facebook post highlights, the team navigated significant financial constraints, relying on their collective dedication to bring the story to life. This resonates with a growing conversation about the challenges faced by independent filmmakers in Hungary and the importance of supporting projects driven by artistic vision rather than solely by financial backing.
Looking Ahead: Continued Dialogue and Artistic Expression
Lovas Rozi’s candid reflections on the film’s success and her broader concerns about Hungarian society have sparked conversation online. Her willingness to articulate a critical perspective, coupled with the film’s strong performance, suggests a hunger for narratives that challenge the status quo and encourage deeper reflection. The continued success of “Itt Érzem Magam Otthon” will likely fuel further discussion about the role of art in addressing societal issues and the importance of independent filmmaking in Hungary.
What are your thoughts on the themes explored in “Itt Érzem Magam Otthon”? Share your opinions in the comments below.
