Based on the true story of Holocaust survivor Herbert Heller, The Optimist stars Stephen Lang as the elderly Herbert and features Elsie Fisher as Abby, a troubled teenager whose life becomes intertwined with his in a profound and life-altering way.
Together with Luke David Blumm, Leah Pipes, Ben Geurens, Ursula Parker, and others, the film is a deeply human story about trauma, connection, and healing.
Written and directed by Finn Taylor, The Optimist is slated for its U.S. theatrical release on March 11, 2026, when Trafalgar Releasing will bring this inspiring drama to over 700 screens nationwide.
The Optimist follows Holocaust survivor Herbert Heller, who has carried the weight of silence about his experiences at Auschwitz and Terezin for more than six decades. Set in Northern California, it centers on the unexpected bond between an ailing Holocaust survivor and a troubled teen. For more than sixty years, Children’s store owner Herbert Heller (Lang) has lived with the weight of the horrors he endured as a 15-year-old imprisoned in Terezin and Auschwitz. As illness forces him to confront the silence he has kept—even from his own family—he forms a surprising friendship with Abbey (Fisher), a teenager navigating her own emotional fractures. Through their growing connection, Herbert is inspired to finally share his truth, opening a path toward empathy, forgiveness, and renewal.
Director Finn Taylor stated, “Herbert was a true hero. When Jeanine first told me of his miraculous escape I was transfixed. However witnessing Herbert transform the lives of thousands of teenagers by sharing his story was a bright example of how one person can impact the world. Jeanine tasked me with intertwining these two stories into a script and film. A task we took very seriously. With the help of literally hundreds of people on two continents I believe we have made a film that honors Herbert’s legacy.”
Watch the official trailer for The Optimist above.
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