Exiles from their homeland because of her father's status as a Solidarity leader, the Dominczyk family experience was shaped by struggle against and revenge for the wrongs done by Communist aggressors (who killed Dagmara's grandfather). This background was called upon by the actress, who was cast as the lovely Mercedes in Kevin Reynolds' adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic revenge tale "The Count of Monte Cristo" (2002). Blessed with good looks as well as talent, Dominczyk had more of a serious demeanor than her homegrown Hollywood starlet counterparts and lent a convincing gravity to her turn as the leading lady whose beauty and grace turns Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce) into a jealous monster capable of setting up Edmond Dantes (James Caviezel), his friend and her betrothed. Later that year, the actress was featured in a cast of fellow up and comers in the night terrors-themed psychodrama "They" (also 2002).