The Optimist

The Optimist

Oct 6, 2023 · 1h 42m · Drama

⭐ 7.0· 7 votes

Director Finn Taylor

Writer Finn Taylor

Where to Watch

Loading local availability...

Overview

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.

Trailer

Photos

Movie still
Movie still

Cast

Stephen Lang

Stephen Lang

Herbert Heller

Elsie Fisher

Elsie Fisher

Abbey

Robin Weigert

Robin Weigert

Luke David Blumm

Luke David Blumm

Young Herbert Heller

Stephanie Heiner

Stephanie Heiner

Linda

Josh Schell

Josh Schell

Cop

Jake Lucas

Jake Lucas

Centurion (uncredited)

You May Also Like

My Neighbor Adolf
6.5

My Neighbor Adolf

Nov 3, 2022

Treasure
6.6

Treasure

Jun 13, 2024

Remember
7.4

Remember

Oct 23, 2015

All Together Now
6.7

All Together Now

Aug 28, 2020

Where Hands Touch
7.9

Where Hands Touch

Sep 14, 2018

Hellion
5.9

Hellion

Jun 13, 2014

Charm City Kings
7.8

Charm City Kings

Jan 27, 2020

Cardboard Boxer
6.3

Cardboard Boxer

Sep 16, 2016

Sophie's Choice
7.3

Sophie's Choice

Dec 8, 1982

Housekeeping
6.5

Housekeeping

Nov 25, 1987

Almost Friends
6.3

Almost Friends

Nov 17, 2017

The Good Neighbor
6.5

The Good Neighbor

Jun 17, 2022

Gigi & Nate
7.5

Gigi & Nate

Sep 2, 2022

XX/XY
5.8

XX/XY

Jan 11, 2002

Julia
6.5

Julia

Oct 1, 1977

Home Run
6.2

Home Run

Apr 19, 2013

Goodbye June
6.6

Goodbye June

Dec 12, 2025

The History of Love
6.4

The History of Love

Nov 9, 2016

The Browning Version
6.4

The Browning Version

Jun 8, 1994

Tigertail
6.7

Tigertail

Apr 10, 2020