Everything to Know About Bonhoeffer

What would you do if your nation was conquered by evil itself?

From the studio that brought you Sound of Freedom and The Shift comes Bonhoeffer, the true story of a Berlin man’s courageous fight to preserve Germany’s spirituality against the evil of the rising Third Reich. 

Read on to discover more about this incredible film, coming November 2024.

What is Bonhoeffer?

Angel Studios, the studio that distributed Sound of Freedom and The Shift, has acquired the rights to the film Bonhoeffer, originally entitled God’s Spy. Written and directed by Todd Komarnicki (Sully and Elf), and produced by a talented group with credits including X-Men, Bonhoeffer follows the harrowing journey of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a resistance fighter and pastor who became one of the most well-known German theologians of the century, and his fight to live with uncompromising political and spiritual courage amid the turmoil in Berlin during the rise and reign of the Third Reich.

For this faithful pastor and famously dedicated pacifist, the path ahead was unprecedented and impossible when Hitler’s regime assumed control not only of Germany but of the attitudes toward Jews—even within the churches. Bonhoeffer realizes he’s among the only clergy who recognized, early on, the increasing danger of Hitler’s anti-Semitic propaganda. When the German church caves and submits to Hitler, Bonhoeffer decides to take on the Führer himself. His fight with the infamous tyrant begins behind the pulpit, but soon takes him to the front lines of history’s biggest global war. 

Gritty and deeply moving, Bonhoeffer has the trappings of not only an award-winning favorite to crowds and critics alike but of a film with the power to transform a tumultuous world. 

When Does Bonhoeffer Come Out?

Bonhoeffer is set to hit theaters in November 2024. The movie is currently in post-production and was filmed primarily in Belgium (Brussels, Liege, and Spa). 

As the film progresses, keep checking back on the Angel Studios website for ways you can help bring Bonhoeffer to the world, including by Paying it Forward. Your contributions go to distributing the film and ensuring as many people get to see it as possible.

Bonhoeffer Cast

Jonas Dassler

Jonas Dassler stars as the film’s titular character, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dassler is a rising star in the German entertainment industry, having starred in multiple stage plays and several films. Dassler hails from Remscheid, Germany, and began acting when he was in the eighth grade. Dassler is perhaps best known for his lead role in the German horror film Handschuh (“The Golden Glove”), for which he was nominated for the German Film Award for Best Actor. 

Phileas Heyblom

Phileas Heyblom shines as a young Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Born in Berlin, Germany in 2012, Heyblom has already made his mark on the film industry with roles in The Island and Die Känguru-Chroniken. 

Flula Borg

Flula Borg makes waves in his portrayal of Hans Dohnanyi. A widely recognized and acclaimed actor and comedian, Borg began his career as a dancer and DJ and eventually moved on to build a wildly successful acting career, becoming known for big titles such as Pitch Perfect 2, The Suicide Squad, and Ralph Breaks the Internet, as well as television credits including Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, Workaholics, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Conan.

David Jonsson

The role of Frank Fisher is brought to life by British actor David Jonsson. Jonsson began his career in London’s West End, both as William Davidson in the play Mary Stuart and as Don Juan in Soho alongside David Tennant. The award-winning actor is known for his roles in the BBC Two and HBO series Industry, as well as the film Rye Lane for which he earned a British Independent Film Award nomination. 

August Diehl

August Diehl shines as Martin Niemoller in Bonhoeffer. Diehl is a seasoned German actor, mainly known for his portrayal of Gestapo major Dieter Hellstrom in Quentin Tarantino’s WWII flick Inglourious Basterds, as well as for his leading roles in Salt, The Counterfeiters, The Young Karl Marx, and Terrence Malick’s A Hidden Life. Hailing from West Berlin, Diehl has built a robust career in the performing arts and was named one of European film’s Shooting Stars by the European Film Promotion. 

Moritz Bleibtreu

Moritz Bleibtreu electrifies the screen in the role of Karl Bonhoeffer. Hailing from Hamburg, Bleibtreu is a very seasoned actor with credits such as Knockin' on Heaven's Door, Run Lola Run, World War Z, The Experiment, and Lammbock. 

Nadine Heidenreich

Nadine Heidenreich breathes life into the role of Paula Bonhoeffer. The Berlin-based actress began performing at age 7 when she danced and sang on East German Television. Heidenreich obtained a degree and became a physiotherapist before returning to the stage, studying performing arts at Stage School Hamburg and at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York. In addition to her acting career, Heidenreich performs synchronization, records audiobooks, sings in a band and moderates the show ZiBB on channel RBB.

Patrick Mölleken

Patrick Mölleken makes a lasting impression in the role of Walter Bonhoeffer. The German actor and producer has been acting since he was a mere five years old, over which career he has participated in over 100 projects on film and television, with credits including König Laurin, The Last Supper, Rommel, as well as the starring role in the Amazon Prime series Sex Zimmer, Küche, Bad.

How to Support Bonhoeffer

Jordan Harmon, President of Angel Studios, firmly believes in the power of Bonhoeffer to inspire a world in need of the courage to do what’s right. “There has never been a time in history where we needed to be reminded of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer more than today,” he said.

Help us bring the story of Bonhoeffer to a world that desperately needs it. Soon, you will be able to support this much-anticipated movie by Paying it Forward. Every penny you donate will help us amplify light with Bonhoeffer in production, promotion, and beyond. Keep an eye on the Angel Studios website for the upcoming opportunity to help bring this important film to the world.

How to Watch Bonhoeffer 

Bonhoeffer is currently in post-production and is expected to hit theaters in November 2024. 

We want to bring this timely and powerful film to as many people as possible and flood the world with its message of courage in the face of oppression and adversity. Check the Angel Studios website frequently, as the film’s production moves forward, for the opportunity to Pay it Forward and join the movement to produce and promote entertainment that amplifies light.