A 16-Year-Old's Defiance: How 'Truth & Treason' Ignites Faith Against Tyranny

Dear friends of Christian Podcast, what a joy to share this cinematic gem that’s lighting up hearts! In our latest episode, Beto and Mili dive into Truth & Treason, the powerful Angel Studios film released on October 17, 2025, already touching lives in theaters. With an impressive 92% from critics and 96% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, this story not only inspires but challenges us to ask: How can we live our faith boldly in today’s world?

A Young Hero’s Stand Against Darkness

Truth & Treason tells the true story of Helmuth Hübener, a 16-year-old Mormon in Nazi Germany who, alongside friends Carl and Rudi, defied the regime with truth-filled flyers and a clandestine radio. Risking everything, Helmuth faced a deadly trial for his courage, wielding God’s word and banned books as his greatest weapons. As Mili shared, “I loved seeing that his best weapon was the word of God and reading” (12:15). Helmuth’s story is a testament to faith’s power to overcome even the darkest oppression.

Beto and Mili were moved by the film’s opening, which showcases the pure friendship between Helmuth and a Jewish boy. “I love how the movie starts, Beto, with his friendship with a Jew,” Mili said (1:19). This bond, filled with bike rides and chats on the way to church, shatters when a sign bans Jews from entering, and Helmuth, heartbroken, offers to hide his friend at home (1:41–2:20). This act of compassion hit home for Beto, who reflected, “I identified with it” (2:27), reminding us that faith calls us to love, even in the face of danger.

History’s Lessons: Are We Listening?

The film’s historical roots run deep. Helmuth Hübener, a real-life hero, led the smallest organized resistance against the Nazis in Hamburg, using typewriters and forbidden literature to spread truth. His faith and intellect drove him to act, despite the ultimate cost—he was executed at 17, the youngest person sentenced for resisting the Nazi regime. Beto connected this to our times: “We keep making the same mistakes over and over” (3:07). From the Holocaust to modern conflicts like Gaza (5:12–5:31), humanity’s cycle of ambition and violence persists. Yet, Helmuth’s story urges us, as Beto said, to “recognize the historical moment we’re living in” and act for truth (4:01–4:09).

Mili drew a parallel to the biblical story of Queen Esther, who faced a decree to exterminate the Jews (5:38–6:04). Just as some neighbors planned to seize Jewish property while others offered refuge, Helmuth chose to protect his friend, embodying Christ’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (13:13–13:17). This message resonates: in a world of recurring injustices, faith calls us to stand up, whether through bold acts or small gestures in our communities.

Truth and Treason Official Movie Trailer

Faith as a Weapon of Truth

What makes Truth & Treason so inspiring is Helmuth’s reliance on faith and knowledge. As Mili noted, “Knowledge opens your mind” (12:42). Helmuth secretly read banned books in a Nazi-controlled library, blending their wisdom with biblical truths to challenge the regime’s lies (12:30–13:04). His story transcends his Mormon faith—it’s universal. Beto pointed out, “It’s not just that he was Mormon; it focuses on the universal values of friendship, love, and empathy” (15:05–15:18). This resonates with all Christians, as the film’s themes of courage and compassion are rooted in biblical values.

The movie’s production quality shines, too. “Very well made,” Mili said, praising its calm yet powerful storytelling that avoids melodrama (13:41–14:16). Angel Studios, known for films like Sound of Freedom, delivers another gem that appeals to audiences seeking stories of light piercing darkness. As Beto shared from his communicator’s perspective, Helmuth’s use of a typewriter and intellect mirrors how we use social media today to “inspire people, to open their eyes” (15:29–16:15). In an era of hashtags and algorithms, his example urges us to wield our tools for truth.

Emojis of Inspiration: What’s Yours?

Wrapping up our chat, Beto and Mili shared their emojis for the film: Mili chose “inspired,” dreaming of a “movement of fasting and prayer” to add value to our communities (16:45–17:14), while Beto picked “holy,” celebrating the divine spark in empathy and action (17:28–17:53). What’s your emoji for Truth & Treason? Drop it in the comments below, and tell us: How will you recognize your moment to stand for truth?

We’re calling you to action—head to theaters or angelstudios.com to experience this film. As Beto passionately declared, “We’ve got to break the algorithm... Do things with the heart” (18:24–18:28). Share this story, subscribe to Christian Podcast, and let Helmuth’s courage fuel your faith. ¡God bless you!Listen to the full episode on our YouTube channel and join the conversation. Ready to act?