Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin (2024) (2026)

Kennedy Unthank calls the film’s treatment of Christian pacifism versus active resistance “a fascinating look into the theological tension for Christians between peace and justice.” Unthank notes that Bonhoeffer’s grappling with whether assassination could ever be a lighter sin in service of ending a greater one “could lead to a fruitful conversation after the film.” He also praises the film’s depiction of the church’s complicity under Nazi rule as a warning to every generation.

Movieguide describes the film as “a powerful, dramatic story about one Christian man’s resistance to political oppression, religious persecution and mass murder,” commending its spotlight on Bonhoeffer’s courageous opposition to tyranny in the face of deadly threats.

Myles Werntz offers the most pointed critique from within the Christian press. Writing that the film portrays Bonhoeffer as a man for whom “moral convictions are a flexible and useful tool,” Werntz argues the film misses its greatest opportunity: to depict a man wrestling deeply with how the church can remain steadfast when faith is weaponized for political ends. His conclusion — that viewers needed a film about resisting the temptation to mold faith to politics — cuts across the grain of the film’s marketing. (Note: The Christianity Today review may be behind a paywall.

Geeks Under Grace praises the film’s themes of justice and obedience to Christ, but flags that “his theological nuance is lost in favor of a conspiracy yarn” and that the film “doesn’t fully resolve the tension at the core of Bonhoeffer’s theology.” The review notes as a particular weakness the film’s handling of Bonhoeffer’s pre-war pacifism, which the real Bonhoeffer maintained even from prison — a detail the film sets aside.

The film holds a 66% Tomatometer score from critics and a notably higher 92% Audience Score from verified ticket buyers

The film carries a 6.2/10 user rating.

Jeffery M. Anderson describes the film as “uneven but relevant,” offering a “marginal recommendation” on the grounds that “as a warning that evil can still happen — it’s too important to ignore.” The review singles out Jonas Dassler’s lead performance as the anchor that keeps pulling viewers back despite structural weaknesses.

Joe Leydon accessed the film with a sharp appreciation for its timeliness, writing that the movie feels less like a period drama and more like a cautionary tale with present-day resonance. Of the lead, Leydon observed that Dassler portrays Bonhoeffer with “carefully calibrated measures of zeal, sincerity, boldness and, on occasion, terror” — a precise read of a performance that carries more weight than the script sometimes deserves.