The Optimist: The Bravest Act Is Truth

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The Optimist: The Bravest Act Is Truth

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1h 42m

History

Drama

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94%

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18 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Based on a true story, THE OPTIMIST follows Holocaust survivor Herbert Heller and the unlikely friendship that transforms two lives. At 15, Herbert escaped the Auschwitz-Birkenau death march, carrying the weight of silence for six decades. When he finally breaks that silence, he forms a life-saving bond with Abby, a troubled teenager confronting her own pain. Together, they discover hope, healing, and the transformative power of being truly seen.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

Mar 12

3/4

Heller’s recollection of concentration camp life is fascinating.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Mar 11

3/4

The intention here is to inspire, and Taylor’s fifth feature accomplishes that admirably. It’s a testimonial of why we should never forget history and why it’s vital to be compassionate and help others in need.

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

Mar 11

2.5/4

This movie is a mess, but it has soul.

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Stephen Silver

Splice Today

2d

There's a lot of great stuff here, but balancing the two stories is a choice that doesn't quite work.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

5d

3.5/5

Generational healing is the gift of this movie, and one shouldn’t look this gift horse in the mouth.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

5d

Taylor’s filmmaking is careful, restrained, and rigorously thought through, always in service of point of view and emotional truth...an exquisite piece of storytelling—visually precise, musically sensitive, and ethically serious.

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Ruth

6d

Poignant true story!

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joann

6d

It was very good movie.. I would recommend it

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Charles

6d

Well written. Well acted. Great pacing. Gripping story. Important message.

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Martin

Mar 15

Great movie,a true unforgettable movie about a Holocaust survivor and coming to terms of the horrors he went through

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jim v

Mar 13

incredible story that is heavy at times but ultimately so uplifting and so needed in these times. can't recommend it enough!

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david s

Mar 12

A film that all should see! Not a dry eye in the audience.

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Finn Taylor

Director

Stephen Lang

Actor

Elsie Fisher

Actor

Luke David Blumm

Actor

Leah Pipes

Actor

Ben Geurens

Actor

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Synopsis

Based on a true story, THE OPTIMIST follows Holocaust survivor Herbert Heller and the unlikely friendship that transforms two lives. At 15, Herbert escaped the Auschwitz-Birkenau death march, carrying the weight of silence for six decades. When he finally breaks that silence, he forms a life-saving bond with Abby, a troubled teenager confronting her own pain. Together, they discover hope, healing, and the transformative power of being truly seen.

Director: Finn Taylor
Producer: Jeanine Thomas, George Rush
Screenwriter: Finn Taylor
Distributor: Trafalgar Releasing
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: Polish
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 11, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 42m