The conclusion of Detective Forst on Netflix offered clarity on the identity of the killer but left its main character burdened with the consequences.
Adapted from the Forst book series by Polish writer Remigiusz Mróz, the first season follows Detective Wiktor Forst as he tracks down a ruthless serial murderer called the Beast of Giewont.
Working alongside journalist Olga Szrebskaasda, Forst uncovers a web of vengeance stretching back several decades. Although the true identity of the killer and Forst’s connection to him become clear, the final episode introduces several lingering uncertainties.
A childhood betrayal spirals into a deadly game of revenge (Photo: Detective Forst/Boma Films, Haka Films, and Netflix)Viewers are left questioning the fate of certain characters, the intricate details of the Beast of Giewont’s elaborate scheme, and the deeper reason behind his obsession with tormenting Forst.
Who Is the Beast of Giewont?
Episode 4 brings Forst and Olga face-to-face with the killer, who is revealed to be a man named Iwo Elijah. Despite appearing to act under Halina Sznajderman’s influence, Iwo wastes no time in turning against her. Using Forst’s own firearm, he eliminates her and manipulates the crime scene in a way that implicates Forst.
After being arrested and identified as the primary suspect in the series of murders, Forst makes a desperate move to clear his name. He approaches a street artist to create a composite drawing of Iwo and sends it to Inspector Edmund Osica, hoping to expose the true culprit.
In an unexpected twist during the second-to-last episode, the image falls into the hands of Prosecutor Dominika Wadryś Hansen just before a press conference about the case. The sight of the sketch horrifies her—she instantly recognises the Beast of Giewont as her own husband, Gjord Hansen.
What Was Gjord’s Motive?
Before he became Gjord Hansen, the killer was known as Iwo Elijah, an orphan raised alongside Forst under the care of Halina, who managed their orphanage. During their childhood, they decided to steal a coin necklace belonging to her.
Iwo ended up shouldering the blame for the theft, earning himself a reputation as a troublemaker and losing the opportunity to be adopted with Wiktor. This betrayal festered in him for years, fuelling an intense resentment toward Forst. His anger never faded, and he became consumed by the idea of destroying Forst’s life.
Halina saw potential in Iwo as a weapon to carry out her own vendettas, but he had his own agenda. While carrying out her revenge-driven killings, he also used the situation to ensnare Forst.
Once Halina was out of the way, Iwo turned his full attention to framing Forst—not just for the Beast of Giewont murders but also for the deaths of Agata, Staszek, and Nina.
What Happened to Detective Forst in the Ending?
A brutal encounter between Forst and Iwo leads to the detective’s failure to save Agata, the daughter of Edmund Osica. Wounded but determined, he rushes back to Nina’s residence to check on Olga’s safety.
A journalist and detective uncover secrets buried beneath decades of pain (Photo: Detective Forst/Boma Films, Haka Films, and Netflix)However, what he finds shakes him—Olga is nowhere to be seen, and a bloodstained coin rests ominously on her pillow, suggesting she may have been Gjord’s next victim.
At the same time, Gjord is shown unconscious in the back of a car, with Olga in the driver’s seat, appearing completely unharmed. This raises unsettling questions: Had she been allied with Gjord all along?
If so, her unexpected meeting with Forst in the opening episode suddenly takes on a new meaning, especially considering how she knew about the body on the mountain before anyone else.
The closing scene depicts Forst sitting motionless beside Nina’s lifeless body, grappling with what seems to be Olga’s betrayal. Given that Gjord remained unconscious at that moment, it suggests that Olga may have been the one responsible for Nina’s murder.
Outside, the sound of police sirens grows louder as authorities arrive in large numbers. However, it remains unclear whether Forst allows himself to be taken into custody out of remorse or if he manages to escape, determined to continue his hunt for Gjord and Olga.
