The Optimist
Drama
Herbert Heller keeps his experience as a teenage boy surviving in Auschwitz hidden from his family. Until he meets Abby, a young teenager whose own brush with pain and death inspires him to open up as well, leading the two of them to exchange their stories as a meaningful and healing friendship is born.
2026-03-11
en
Cast
Director
Finn Taylor
Stephen Lang as Herbert Heller
Elsie Fisher as Abbey
Luke David Blumm as Young Herbert Heller
Robin Weigert as Ruth
Leah Pipes as Jane
Ben Geurens as Gabe
Ursula Parker as Sabrina
Slavko Sobin as Herbert's Father
Stella Stocker as Herbert's Mother
Oskar Hes as Hein Heller
Stephanie Heiner as Linda
Josh Schell as Cop
Jake Lucas as Centurion (uncredited)