He came out of the darkness… to bring her into the light…

THE OPTIMIST - OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Coming to theaters March 11

He came out of the darkness…
to bring her into the light…

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.

Starring Stephen Lang (Avatar) as Herbert, Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade) as Abby, and Luke David Blumm (Where The Crawdads Sing) as young Herbert, THE OPTIMIST is a profoundly moving film about resilience across generations and the courage it takes to tell the truth.

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An elderly man with gray hair standing indoors near a window with curtains, looking outward with a serious expression.

Elsie Fisher and Luke David Blumm in The Optimist movie

A young boy dressed in vintage clothing at a circus fair, flexing his arms in a playful manner. The background shows other children and adults in period attire, with circus tents and signage reading 'Cirkus Fousek' and decorated banners.

Smiling young man in a cap standing near trains with another person running in the background, snowy environment, vintage aesthetics.

Close-up of a young boy with reddish-brown hair and freckles, wearing a mustard-colored knit sweater, looking slightly downward.

A man in a hat is looking through a window at a street scene with vintage trucks outside, seen through a window with yellow painted decorations.

A man dressed as a detective being escorted by soldiers in World War II German uniforms on a cobblestone street.

Black and white image featuring a laurel wreath design with the text: 'Kadima Jury Prize Miami Jewish Film Festival 2024'.

Text announcing a film festival award with the words 'Winner! Sedona International Film Festival Best Actor Stephen Lang', surrounded by laurel leaves.

Award plaque for Best Film at the 2024 Gold Coast International Film Festival, with laurel branches on sides, indicating the film won in the Audience Award category.

A laurel wreath surrounding text that reads: 'Atlanta Jewish Film Festival July Award Nominee'.

Spokane Film Festival award badge with white laurel wreaths, recognizing the film 'The Optimist' as the best narrative feature at the Spokane Film Festival.

Black background badge with white laurel branches on each side, displaying white text that reads 'Official Selection Mill Valley Film Festival 2024'.

Laurel wreath surrounds the text '2023 OFFICIAL SELECTION HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL' on a black background.