The historical thriller Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. features an international ensemble cast that brings the remarkable story of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer to life. Released in November 2024, this Angel Studios production stars Jonas Dassler, August Diehl, David Jonsson, Flula Borg, Moritz Bleibtreu, and Clarke Peters under the direction of writer-director Todd Komarnicki.
Jonas Dassler: The Lead Actor as Dietrich Bonhoeffer
German actor Jonas Dassler was born on March 22, 1996 in Remscheid, North Rhine-Westphalia, and takes on the challenging title role in this biographical drama. Dassler studied acting at the Academy of Dramatic Arts “Ernst Busch” Berlin and has received acclaim for his stage performances at Berlin’s renowned Schaubühne am Leiner Platz.
Jonas Dassler’s Film Career Before Bonhoeffer
The actor’s feature debut came in Julia Langhof’s cyber drama “LOMO: The Language of Many Others” (2017), earning him Best Young Actor at the Bavarian Film Awards. His breakthrough performance came in Fatih Akin’s drama “The Golden Glove” (2019), where he played infamous Hamburg serial killer Fritz Honka, premiering at the Berlin Film Festival.
Dassler also appeared in the Oscar-nominated “Never Look Away” (2018) and Lars Kraume’s “The Silent Revolution” (2018). His recent work includes the sci-fi drama “Skin Deep” (2022) and the thriller “A Sacrifice” (2024) alongside Eric Bana and Sadie Sink.
Dassler’s Performance Preparation
In an exclusive interview filmed at the historic Bonhoeffer house, Dassler shared how stepping into Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s shoes was both inspiring and sobering, as he grappled with the weight of playing a man who stood against evil at great personal cost. The actor delivered a riveting, award-worthy performance that anchors the entire film.
August Diehl as Martin Niemöller
For almost two decades, August Diehl has been an established figure on the German film and theater scene, gaining instant fame from his role in Hans-Christian Schmid’s film “23”. International audiences know him from Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” (2009) and the Oscar-winning “The Counterfeiters”.
In Bonhoeffer, Diehl portrays Martin Niemöller, the prominent Protestant pastor known for his famous post-war confession about the dangers of remaining silent in the face of tyranny. His character represents the conflicted German clergy during the Nazi era.
David Jonsson as Frank Fisher
David Jonsson, known from “Rye Lane” and the HBO series “Industry”, plays Frank Fisher, Bonhoeffer’s close friend from his transformative time at Union Theological Seminary in New York. This BAFTA Rising Star nominee brings international appeal to the cast and represents the African American church community that profoundly influenced Bonhoeffer’s theological development.
Clarke Peters as Reverend Powell Sr.
Veteran American actor Clarke Peters, beloved for his roles in “The Wire” and “3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, portrays Reverend Powell Sr. His character embodies the Harlem church leaders who shaped Bonhoeffer’s understanding of racial justice and social oppression during his pivotal 1930-31 stay in America.
The Bonhoeffer Family Cast Members
Moritz Bleibtreu as Karl Bonhoeffer
Moritz Bleibtreu, known from “Run Lola Run” and “The Experiment”, portrays Karl Bonhoeffer, Dietrich’s father and a renowned psychiatrist. The character represents the intellectual, upper-middle-class German family background that shaped the theologian’s critical thinking abilities.
Nadine Heidenreich as Paula Bonhoeffer
Nadine Heidenreich from “Die Flaschenpost-Insel” plays Paula Bonhoeffer, the strong matriarch of the family. Heidenreich reflected on the power of Paula Bonhoeffer’s influence as a mother, highlighting how the unconditional love and strength she imparted helped shape her son into a man of extraordinary courage.
Lisa Hofer as Sabine Bonhoeffer
Lisa Hofer portrays Sabine Bonhoeffer, Dietrich’s twin sister whose marriage to Hans Dohnanyi connected the family deeper into resistance activities against the Nazi regime.
Supporting Cast Highlights
Flula Borg as Hans Dohnanyi
German DJ and actor Flula Borg, from “Suicide Squad” and “Pitch Perfect 2”, plays Hans Dohnanyi, Bonhoeffer’s brother-in-law who recruited him into the Abwehr, Germany’s counterintelligence agency, where resistance members operated from within.
Phileas Heyblom as Young Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Phileas Heyblom portrays the young Dietrich Bonhoeffer, providing crucial flashback sequences that reveal the formative experiences shaping the future theologian’s character, particularly the death of his brother Walter in World War I.
Additional Key Cast
The ensemble includes William Robinson as Eberhard Bethge, Bonhoeffer’s closest friend and future biographer, plus Greg Kolpakchi as Officer Knoblauch, James Flynn as Dr. Rascher, and Patrick Mölleken among the extended supporting cast.
Production Team Excellence
Todd Komarnicki: Writer and Director
Todd Komarnicki wrote, produced and directed the film. Producer John Scanlon worked for more than 12 years to have this film made, navigating multiple screenplay drafts and distribution challenges. Komarnicki focused on capturing authenticity while developing a cinematic visual style and establishing emotional tonal bandwidth.
John Mathieson: Cinematographer
Award-worthy cinematography by John Mathieson enhanced the intimacy and emotional impact of scenes through innovative lighting techniques. Mathieson developed visual contrasts between the warm Bonhoeffer home, the pastoral seminary, and the cold gray military spaces of the Nazis.
Filming Locations
Principal photography took place in Ireland in counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork, as well as Belgium locations including Brussels, Liege, and Spa.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Professional Reviews
On Rotten Tomatoes, 65% of 43 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10. Critics praised the performances but noted historical liberties taken by the screenplay.
Joe Leydon of Variety noted the film “feels more like an uncomfortably timely cautionary tale with unsettling echoes of current events” rather than a conventional period drama.
Audience Ratings
The film received a 93% audience score from Angel Studios viewers and 92% from over 1,000 verified Rotten Tomatoes audience ratings. Many viewers praised the emotional power and relevance of Bonhoeffer’s story for contemporary times.
Historical Accuracy Concerns
The film attracted controversy regarding political interpretations and historical inaccuracies. Experts accused the movie of presenting misleading elements, including fictionalizing Bonhoeffer leading a jazz band in Harlem and being physically assaulted in a racially charged incident, neither of which have historical evidence.
The film depicts events out of their historical sequence and suggests Bonhoeffer completely renounced his pacifist beliefs, when historically he viewed resistance as a complex moral decision acknowledging ethical dilemmas.
Cast Statement on Political Misuse
Lead actors including Jonas Dassler and August Diehl released a statement expressing deep concern about the misuse of their film by Christian Nationalists, condemning dangerous appropriations of Bonhoeffer’s legacy. The actors emphasized that Bonhoeffer’s story tells a tale about speaking up against totalitarian regimes and acting against systems of lies, bigotry, nationalism, racism, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia.
Comparing Cast to 2000’s “Agent of Grace”
The earlier Bonhoeffer film “Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace” starred Ulrich Tukur as the theologian in a more modest production. The 2024 version benefits from a substantially larger budget, international star power, and Angel Studios’ production values, though some scholars and audience members familiar with Bonhoeffer’s life preferred the earlier film’s historical approach.
Where to Watch and Stream
The film released in the United States on November 22, 2024, with international releases following in Brazil (November 28, 2024), Ireland (December 6, 2024), and France (January 22, 2025). The movie is now streaming for Angel Guild members on the Angel Studios app.
Box Office Performance
Bonhoeffer made $2.3 million from 1,900 theaters on its first day and debuted to $5.5 million, finishing in fourth place during its opening weekend against major competition including “Wicked” and “Gladiator II”.
Behind-the-Scenes Cast Insights
Memorable On-Set Moments
Producer John Scanlon recalled filming a sermon scene in an Irish church where Jonas Dassler delivered such a mesmerizing performance that everyone on set—extras, camera crew, and production staff—gave a spontaneous ovation, recognizing they were part of something special.
Casting Process
In January 2023, Jonas Dassler was confirmed in the role of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, with Flula Borg, David Jonsson, August Diehl, and Moritz Bleibtreu confirmed as cast. Director Komarnicki emphasized the exemplary casting choices that brought authenticity to the production.
The Cast’s Message About Faith and Courage
The filmmakers never intended Bonhoeffer as a tutorial on surviving tumultuous political times, but rather hoped audiences would leave entertained and inspired, with a different way of thinking about engaging with politics and culture.
The international cast successfully balances historical authenticity with emotional accessibility, making this complex theological and political story resonate with contemporary audiences worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who plays Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the 2024 movie?
German actor Jonas Dassler, born March 22, 1996 in Remscheid, portrays Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dassler is known for his performances in “The Golden Glove” (2019) and “Never Look Away” (2018).
Is the Bonhoeffer cast German or international?
The cast is international. While lead actors Jonas Dassler, August Diehl, Moritz Bleibtreu, and Nadine Heidenreich are German, the ensemble includes British actor David Jonsson, American actor Clarke Peters, and German-American Flula Borg.
What other movies has Jonas Dassler been in?
Jonas Dassler’s notable films include “The Golden Glove” (2019), “LOMO: The Language of Many Others” (2017), “Never Look Away” (2018), “The Silent Revolution” (2018), “Skin Deep” (2022), and “A Sacrifice” (2024).
Who directed Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.?
Todd Komarnicki wrote, produced and directed the film, with cinematography by Oscar-nominated John Mathieson.
Where was the Bonhoeffer movie filmed?
Principal photography took place in Ireland (counties Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, and Cork) and Belgium (Brussels, Liege, and Spa).
Is the Bonhoeffer film historically accurate?
The film attracted controversy regarding historical inaccuracies, including fictionalized scenes and events depicted out of sequence. While based on true events, the screenplay takes dramatic liberties for cinematic storytelling.
What is the Bonhoeffer movie rated?
The MPA rating is PG-13 for violent content, thematic elements and some smoking.
When was Bonhoeffer released in theaters?
Bonhoeffer released in the United States and Canada on November 22, 2024, with staggered international releases following.
Who plays Martin Niemöller in Bonhoeffer?
August Diehl, known from “Inglourious Basterds” and “The King’s Man,” portrays Martin Niemöller.
Can I stream the Bonhoeffer movie?
Yes, Bonhoeffer is now streaming for Angel Guild members on the Angel Studios app, with additional streaming platforms expected to follow.
What did critics say about the Bonhoeffer cast performances?
Critics praised Jonas Dassler’s “riveting, award-worthy performance” and noted the strong ensemble work. Variety’s Joe Leydon highlighted the film as a “timely cautionary tale”.
Why did the Bonhoeffer cast release a statement?
Lead actors released a statement expressing concern about the misuse of their film by Christian Nationalists, condemning dangerous appropriations of Bonhoeffer’s legacy.
Last Updated: January 2025 | Runtime: 2 hours 13 minutes | Distributor: Angel Studios
