The Optimist
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.
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Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
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Cast
13 people
Stephen Lang
Herbert Heller
Known for
Avatar
Don't Breathe
Elsie Fisher
Abbey
Known for
Despicable Me
Eighth Grade
Luke David Blumm
Young Herbert Heller
Known for
The Watcher
Watchmen
Robin Weigert
Ruth
Known for
Big Little Lies
Deadwood
Leah Pipes
Jane
Known for
The Originals
Sorority Row
Ben Geurens
Gabe
Known for
Reign
Legacies
Ursula Parker
Sabrina
Known for
Louie
Spectral
Slavko Sobin
Herbert's Father
Known for
The Night Manager
KAOS
Stella Stocker
Herbert's Mother
Known for
Agatha Christie's Seven Dials
The Good Liar
Oskar Hes
Hein Heller
Known for
Haunted
Stephanie Heiner
Linda
Also in
Freaky Tales
Outsiders
Josh Schell
Cop
Known for
Other Side of the Box
Feed
Finn Taylor Director
United States release March 11, 2026 · Produced in Czechia, United States · Languages English, German
Production
Stillking Films
Production
Convoke Media
Production
Witchcraft Motion Picture Company
Production
Czechia · United States
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English · German
Release dates
United States · October 6, 2023
Premiere · Hamptons International Film Festival
United States · March 11, 2026
Limited theatrical
United States · November 17, 2026
Digital
United States
October 11, 2023 · Premiere · Mill Valley Film Festival
December 18, 2026 · Physical
Australia
October 23, 2025 · Premiere · The Jewish International Film Festival
United Kingdom
January 19, 2026 · Physical
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Some details come from TheTVDB.