The Optimist
The brief
Stephen Lang delivers his most vulnerable performance as a Holocaust survivor who's spent decades burying his trauma, until an unlikely friendship with a troubled teen (Elsie Fisher) cracks him open. The film moves at a deliberate pace that mirrors the careful way people share painful memories, building genuine emotional weight without manipulating tears. Fisher matches Lang beat for beat, creating one of those rare intergenerational bonds that feels earned rather than scripted. If you connected with the quiet humanity of A Man Called Ove or the healing power of storytelling in The Book Thief, this will hit you right in the chest.
The verdict
If you have patience for slow-burn character studies and aren't afraid of heavy emotional territory involving Holocaust trauma, this is a powerhouse showcase for Stephen Lang and Elsie Fisher that earns every tear. If you prefer faster pacing or lighter fare, the deliberate storytelling and weighty subject matter will feel like a slog rather than catharsis.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for deep reflection
- 👨👩👧👦 With mature teens ready for heavy history
- ⚠️ Avoid with young children
Heads up
- Holocaust survivor trauma and memories (moderate)
- Discussion of concentration camp experiences (moderate)
- Themes of teenage pain and mortality (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Finn Taylor
- Cast
- Stephen Lang, Elsie Fisher, Robin Weigert, Luke David Blumm, Stephanie Heiner, Josh Schell, Jake Lucas
Official synopsis
Herbert Heller keeps his experience as a teenage boy surviving in Auschwitz hidden from his family. Until he
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008)
Both explore Holocaust trauma through unexpected friendships that heal deep wounds.
Total runtime: 1h 42m + 1h 34m = 3h 16m
