Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. attempts to tell the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, Lutheran pastor, and anti-Nazi dissident. While the film takes liberties with historical accuracy, it succeeds in delivering a timely warning against the dangers of a religious institution aligning with an authoritarian regime.
Drawing inspiration from a 2006 biography by conservative writer and radio host, Eric Metaxas YC ’84, the film’s title perpetuates the first of its many untruths: Bonhoeffer, a committed pacifist, never killed anyone, nor did he attempt to do so. This mischaracterization sets the tone for a movie that sometimes sacrifices historical fidelity for dramatic effect.
The film opens on Bonhoeffer’s childhood in Breslau, his life abruptly upended by his brother’s death in World War I. From there, the narrative jumps between his imprisonment in the Buchenwald Concentration Camp and his theological awakening in Harlem, where he encountered the lively spirituality of the Black Southern Baptist Church. These scenes, however, veer into fiction with fabrications such as Bonhoeffer performing with a jazz band and being attacked by a white supremacist while defending his Black classmate.
Director Todd Komarnicki leans heavily on Christian symbolism, casting Bonhoeffer as a Christ figure. In the film’s most dramatic scenes, beams of sunlight illuminate Bonhoeffer’s blonde hair as if he were adorned with a permanent halo. Before his execution, Bonhoeffer serves communion to fellow prisoners and a Nazi guard, in a composition reminiscent of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. In the film’s final moments, as Bonhoeffer trudges to his death, the scene echoes Christ’s journey to Golgotha, complete with three gallows arranged like the crosses on Calvary.
The film’s characterization of Bonhoeffer drew criticism from 86 of his descendants, who signed a statement expressing their dissent: “The history-distorting biopic, which turns Bonhoeffer into an evangelical saint, is scheduled to hit theaters shortly after the U.S. presidential election.”
This critique reflects broader concerns about the politicization of Bonhoeffer’s legacy. In recent years, his words have been co-opted by far-right figures, including in the foreword to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. The Evangelical production company Angel Studios secured the rights to produce this film while its source material’s author, Metaxas, publicly likened President Joe Biden to Adolf Hitler.
The family’s statement continues: “We are horrified to see how the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is increasingly being distorted and misused by right-wing extremists, xenophobes, and religious agitators… Never would he have seen himself associated with far-right, violent movements such as Christian Nationalists.”
Despite the film’s embellishments, Bonhoeffer captures the pernicious nature of fascism with chilling precision. Early scenes show the seemingly mundane beginnings of Nazi ideology taking root in Germany—casual conversations about Hitler’s ideas, politicized sermons, the normalization of hatred, and the rise of state-sanctioned violence.
The film’s critique feels painfully relevant as former President and President-elect Donald Trump openly aligns himself with authoritarian rhetoric—inciting violence, praising dictators, and dehumanizing those he deems lesser. The chilling parallels cast a harsh light on the Christian Evangelical Church in the United States, which has largely aligned itself with Trump.
However, the film narrows its scope in its conclusion, focusing its call to action solely on antisemitism in the United States. While Bonhoeffer fiercely opposed antisemitism, he stood against all forms of violence, discrimination, and oppression. Reducing his legacy to a single issue diminishes the full breadth of his resistance. It misses an opportunity to inspire broader action against today’s creeping authoritarianism and systemic injustices—including antisemitism.
Bonhoeffer warned against “cheap grace”—faith without action, conviction without sacrifice. His life and writings challenge us to confront oppression in all its forms, refusing to remain silent or complicit. Despite its flaws, Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. succeeds in reminding us of this enduring truth, whether its producers intended it to or not. In a world still wrestling with authoritarianism and widespread injustice, Bonhoeffer’s fight is far from over, and his legacy continues to call us to costly, courageous action.
