Movies - Truth & Treason : A Poignant Tale of Courage and Conscience in Times of War

By Mulder, 15 october 2025

Released worldwide on October 17, 2025, in over 2,000 theaters, Truth & Treason stands as one of the most powerful and emotionally resonant historical dramas of the year. Distributed by Angel Studios, the independent powerhouse behind the global phenomenon Sound of Freedom (which grossed over $250 million worldwide), this stirring World War II film revisits the true story of Helmuth Hübener, a 16-year-old German boy who dared to defy the Nazi regime. Produced by Kaleidoscope Pictures, directed by Matt Whitaker (Saints and Soldiers), and co-written by Ethan Vincent, Truth & Treason brings to life an extraordinary chapter of moral resistance and youthful bravery that history nearly forgot.

The film features a compelling cast that gives depth and heart to its story. Ewan Horrocks (The Last Kingdom) delivers a deeply human portrayal of Helmuth — a boy torn between faith, fear, and conviction — while Rupert Evans (The Man in the High Castle, Hellboy: The Seeds of Creation), Ferdinand McKay, Daf Thomas, and Nye Occomore lend humanity to those caught between loyalty and conscience. Cinematographer Bianca Cline (Rust, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) paints the narrative with both intimacy and restraint, capturing the stark beauty of a world suffocated by propaganda. Her lens contrasts light and darkness — visually echoing the moral tension at the core of the story. Editor Adam L. Banks maintains this tension with precision, structuring the film as a slow burn where each act of defiance feels both intimate and monumental.

Based on a true story, Truth & Treason follows Helmuth Hübener as he witnesses his Jewish friend’s arrest and begins to question the authority figures he once trusted, including his own bishop who preaches obedience to the Nazi regime. Disillusioned, he secretly tunes into banned foreign radio broadcasts, learns the truth, and decides to act. With his close friends Karl and Rudi, he forms a small resistance group to expose Nazi lies, distributing leaflets that call for truth in an empire built on fear. What begins as a moral awakening turns into a struggle for survival, as Helmuth faces the impossible choice between silence and sacrifice. As East Bay Express wrote, “As a cautionary tale for our time, Truth & Treason succeeds on its realistic performances and its urgent energy. Whether it turns out to be a dire forecast of the future remains to be seen.”

The film’s journey to the big screen is nearly as dramatic as its story. Originally conceived as a limited series under the title Truth & Conviction, the project evolved into a feature film once production began in Vilnius, Lithuania, in April 2024. Director Matt Whitaker, along with producers Russ Kendall (Instrument of War) and John Foss (The Card Counter), decided that a feature format would heighten the story’s emotional immediacy and moral focus. Executive producers Adam Thomas Anderegg, Micah W. Merrill, and Jon Erwin helped guide the production under the banner of Kaleidoscope Pictures. Supported by the 1.5 million-member Angel Guild spanning more than 170 countries, the film exemplifies Angel Studios’ unique community-driven approach — where audiences help curate, finance, and champion the stories they believe the world needs to see.

A key emotional force in Truth & Treason is its hauntingly beautiful score by Aaron Zigman, one of Hollywood’s most accomplished composers. Known for The Notebook, Bridge to Terabithia, The Proposal, and The Six Triple Eight (whose score made the 2024 Oscars shortlist), Zigman weaves together piano, orchestral strings, and choral textures to mirror Helmuth’s internal conflict. His music captures both the fragility of innocence and the courage of defiance. Winner of an Emmy for his song “Sim Shalom” from Showtime’s Crown Heights, Aaron Zigman has earned multiple BMI Awards, two International Film Music Critics Association nominations, and was even a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2021 for his piano concerto Tango Manos. The simultaneous release of his soundtrack and the film on October 17, 2025, underscores how integral the music is to the emotional and spiritual identity of the film.

Critically, Truth & Treason has already earned strong acclaim. With a 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore from audiences, the film has struck a chord with both critics and viewers worldwide. Its success lies in its restraint and sincerity — avoiding the spectacle often associated with war dramas in favor of moral intimacy. Every moment, every glance, and every act of disobedience resonates with quiet intensity. The film doesn’t glorify rebellion; it humanizes it. It reminds us that resistance doesn’t always begin with armies — sometimes it begins with one voice whispering no.

Truth & Treason is more than a historical drama; it’s a reflection on conscience, truth, and the timeless struggle between obedience and morality. Through the eyes of Helmuth Hübener, Matt Whitaker crafts a deeply personal story that speaks directly to today’s world, where misinformation and moral compromise are as relevant as ever. Supported by Bianca Cline’s evocative cinematography and Aaron Zigman’s transcendent music, the film captures both the weight of history and the hope that endures through it. In an era that often blurs the lines between truth and loyalty, Truth & Treason stands as a reminder that courage — no matter how small — can still illuminate the darkest times.

Synopsis
As World War II rages, a teenage boy in Germany is forced to confront a terrible truth—loyalty to his country now means loyalty to a lie. When his trusted bishop urges obedience to the Nazi regime, he begins to question everything. And after his Jewish friend is taken away, he secretly listens to banned radio broadcasts and launches a resistance, exposing the truth. But in a nation ruled by fear, defiance comes at a cost—and as the regime closes in, he must decide what it truly means to be a good German. 

Truth & Treason
Directed by Matt Whitaker
Written by Ethan Vincent, Matt Whitaker
Produced by John Foss, Russ Kendall, Matt Whitaker
Starring  Ewan Horrocks, Ferdinand McKay, Daf Thomas, Nye Occomore, Rupert Evans
Cinematography : Bianca Cline
Edited by Adam L. Banks
Music by Aaron Zigman
Production company : Kaleidoscope Pictures
Distributed by Angel (United States)
Release date : October 17, 2025
Running time : 120 minutes