The Ukrainian film ‘Scammer’ (2026) tells the story of Maksym from Dnipro (Dmytro Yefremov), who dreams of proposing to his beloved Olya (Kateryna Lozovytska), but faces rejection due to a lack of financial means. Olya compares him to her brother Serhii (Bohdan Sheludiak), hinting that she made the wrong choice. As a result, Maksym is left alone with his feelings and reevaluates his own values.
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The Beginning of the Journey: How Scamming Becomes the ‘New Front’
Disillusioned with traditional values, Maksym decides to work with Serhii, who runs an office engaged in phone fraud against citizens of the Russian Federation. Serhii has it all: an expensive car, a spacious apartment, a lot of money, and authority. Their mother (Olha Sumska) admires him, not questioning the sources of his wealth, instead considering Serhii a worthy example for Maksym.
Maksym quickly masters the art of scamming, and his financial situation improves. Together with his brother, he decides to separate from the Dnipro mobster Baichas (Oleksii Smolka) and start their own startup. However, at the start of their plans, a full-scale war begins in 2022, and Maksym heads to the front.
After being wounded, Maksym is demobilized and returns to the joint business with Serhii. Now they scam Russians with a ‘clear conscience,’ as the character played by Yefremov notes,
“this is a front of struggle.”
However, over time, the office’s activities begin to extend to Ukrainians, which becomes a moral boundary for Maksym and leads to changes in his life.
Analysis of the Plot, Acting, and Influences
To expand their network, Serhii involves an influential mobster from the 1990s (Oleksii Horbunov), capable of solving any issues through connections with deputies and the criminal underworld. The plot also leaves room for personal revenge: Maksym encounters Olya, who now works in escorting, and derives moral satisfaction from his revenge.
The idea of a youth drama is relevant, as the phenomenon of scamming is familiar to many Ukrainians. The film details the specifics of call center operations, financial flows, and the mechanisms of the shadow business. A significant contribution to the film’s quality comes from Oleksii Horbunov, who convincingly plays the mobster, adding depth and charisma to the character.
At the same time, the film narrative gives the impression that the life of a scammer is presented as easy and fun: money, luxury, adventures, and escapades seem too accessible. Less time is devoted to the punishment for ‘dark deeds’ than to showcasing the benefits of such a lifestyle.
The film’s script is noticeably inspired by Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and Guy Ritchie’s crime comedies. Hence, the story of a simple guy transforming into a big player, as well as dynamic mobster showdowns. However, none of the styles became dominant, which affected the coherence of the narrative.
The line of Maksym’s new love remains underdeveloped. After breaking up with Olya, he meets Polina (Valeriia Lapko), impressing her by organizing an interview for a blog and inviting her on a date. However, Polina’s motives are similar to those of the previous heroine, which calls into question her role as a ‘counterbalance’ to Olya.
Overall, the film’s creators touch on many male ‘gestalts’: revenge on an ex, quick enrichment, easy solutions to problems with the mafia, a luxurious lifestyle, and connections with influential people. ‘Scammer’ is primarily aimed at a youth audience, who can relate to the dynamics, humor, and plot twists of this story.