Is this movie based on a true story?

Yes, it's based on the real-life memoir of Cioma Schönhaus. The events, while dramatized, reflect his actual experience forging passports in Berlin to help other Jewish people escape.

How graphic is the violence?

Compared to something like Schindler's List, it's much less graphic. It focuses more on psychological tension and the threat of violence rather than showing atrocities on screen, though the peril is very real.

Is there any sexual content?

There are some romantic subplots and scenes in bars/clubs that reflect the protagonist's age (21), but it generally avoids explicit nudity or graphic sex scenes.

Will my kid be bored by the pacing?

If they only watch Marvel movies, maybe. But if they like spy thrillers or stories about people 'beating the system,' the tension of the forgery scenes should keep them hooked.

The Forger – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Forger

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2022

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A stylish, high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse where a young Jewish man survives 1942 Berlin by forging passports and a whole new persona.

71%

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The Forger

movie

14, 2022

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A stylish, high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse where a young Jewish man survives 1942 Berlin by forging passports and a whole new persona.

71%

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Screenwise Verdict

Most Holocaust movies are designed to make you weep; The Forger is designed to make you hold your breath. It follows the real-life story of Cioma Schönhaus, a young man who refused to be a victim and instead used his graphic design skills to save hundreds of lives—including his own.

It's a bit of an art-house pick, but the 99% audience score is the real signal here. It avoids the 'misery porn' trap by focusing on the adrenaline and the sheer nerve required to live as a ghost in 1942 Berlin. If your teen is ready for a more mature, nuanced look at history, this is a top-tier choice.

Age Fit

Best for 14 and up. It’s a sophisticated watch that requires a solid grasp of WWII history and the patience for a subtitled, character-driven drama. It's great for adults who want a WWII story that feels fresh and less formulaic.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The protagonist chooses life and creativity over despair, but the backdrop of the Holocaust and the necessity of deception for survival keep this from being traditionally wholesome.

Imaginative

Focuses on the art of forgery and the psychological creativity required to build a fake identity in plain sight.

Safe

While it avoids the extreme graphic brutality of some Holocaust films, the constant threat of deportation and Nazi presence creates high tension. Mature themes like survival through deception and implied wartime risks are present.

Enriching

Provides a rare look at Jewish resistance through bureaucracy and social camouflage in 1940s Berlin. It’s a masterclass in historical perspective and the ethics of survival.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Unique perspective on the Holocaust that focuses on the audacity and 'joy of life' of its protagonist rather than solely on victimhood.
Visual storytelling that highlights Cioma’s talent as an artist, making the forgery process feel like a tense, creative act of defiance.
Historical literacy for teens, offering a look at the underground networks in Berlin that most history books skip over.
High audience praise, with a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes suggesting it’s much more engaging than your average dry historical drama.

⚠

What to Watch For

The tension is constant. Even though the protagonist is charismatic, the threat of the Gestapo and deportation is always one mistake away.
It's a German-language film, so if your kid isn't down with subtitles, this is going to be a non-starter.
Expect some mature social situations involving nightlife and survival-based relationships that come with the territory of a 21-year-old hiding in a city.

Conversation Starters

"How does Cioma use his identity as a 'mask' to survive, and what does that cost him emotionally?"
"Is forgery always wrong if it's used to save a life?"
"Why do you think Cioma chose to stay and 'hide in plain sight' rather than trying to flee the city immediately?"
"How did the movie change your perspective on what 'resistance' looked like during World War II?"

Deep Dive

Survival as an Art Form

There is a specific genre of WWII film that feels like a history lesson you're being forced to sit through. The Forger isn't that. By focusing on Cioma, a 21-year-old who essentially treats his survival as a high-stakes performance, the movie taps into a very relatable sense of youthful defiance. He isn't just surviving; he's dining at fine restaurants and flirting with danger, using his talent for calligraphy to create life-saving documents for others.

For a parent, the value here is in the grey areas. Cioma isn't a perfect hero; he's a young guy trying to keep his head above water. This opens up great lanes for talking about ethics—when does a lie become a virtue? How do you maintain your humanity when the world around you has lost its mind?

"I don't let anyone take away my joy of life."

That line from the synopsis is the movie's North Star. It’s a refreshing, if still harrowing, take on resistance. It reminds us that sometimes the most radical thing you can do in the face of oppression is to continue being yourself. Just make sure your kid is ready for the subtitles and the slow-burn pacing that comes with European cinema.

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