The Invisibles (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The Invisibles is set primarily in Berlin, the capital of Nazi Germany during World War II. The film also features the Theresienstadt Ghetto, a notorious concentration camp in what is now the Czech Republic, as a key location representing the horrors of the Holocaust. The characters' journey toward Switzerland serves as a symbol of hope and freedom for those escaping Nazi persecution.

• berlin
• theresienstadt ghetto
• switzerland
• setting
• world war 2

The Invisibles is set during the height of World War II, specifically from 1942 to 1945. This period represents one of the darkest chapters in human history, when Nazi Germany systematically persecuted and murdered millions of Jews. The story unfolds during the final years of the war, capturing the intense struggle for survival faced by those hiding from the Nazi regime.

• 1942-1945
• world war 2
• nazi germany
• time period
• holocaust era

Resilience is a central theme in The Invisibles, showcasing the remarkable strength of the human spirit under extreme adversity. Characters like Cioma and Hanni demonstrate extraordinary courage and ingenuity while facing overwhelming danger. Their stories reflect not only the brutality of war but also the enduring hope that drives people to survive against seemingly impossible odds.

• resilience
• survival
• human spirit
• courage
• adversity

Compassion emerges as a vital theme in The Invisibles, with numerous characters risking their safety to help those in peril. The film highlights acts of kindness from both strangers and friends, which serve as crucial lifelines in a world consumed by chaos and persecution. These moments of humanity amid darkness reinforce the importance of solidarity and moral courage during the Holocaust.

• compassion
• kindness
• humanity
• solidarity
• helpers

Identity plays a significant role in The Invisibles as characters are forced to adopt false personas to escape Nazi persecution. Hanni's transformation into 'Hannelore Winkler' embodies the desperate struggle for survival, showcasing the extreme lengths individuals would go to preserve their lives. The film provokes thought about the nature of identity when survival depends on becoming someone else.

• identity
• disguise
• survival
• hidden identity
• passing

Cioma Schönhaus is a 20-year-old Jewish man portrayed by Max Mauff in The Invisibles. He is depicted as a resourceful and courageous protagonist who cunningly avoids Nazi capture by adopting various disguises. His artistic skills aid him in dangerous situations, and his journey is marked by both loss and an unwavering pursuit of survival, embodying resilience in the face of extreme adversity.

• cioma schonhaus
• max mauff
• protagonist
• disguise
• artist

Hanni Lévy, played by Alice Dwyer, is a 17-year-old Jewish girl who must adapt to the horrific realities of war after losing her family. She is portrayed as determined and resourceful, navigating a series of different identities to survive. Hanni's spirit and resilience are central to her character, representing the strength that young people demonstrated during the Holocaust.

• hanni levy
• alice dwyer
• young survivor
• identity
• strength

Eugen Friede is a 16-year-old Jewish boy portrayed by Aaron Altaras in The Invisibles. He faces daily harassment and danger due to his Jewish heritage. Despite his youth, Eugen displays immense courage and seeks refuge through supportive relationships with non-Jewish Germans. His character illustrates the youthful struggle for survival amidst chaos and the critical role that acts of kindness from strangers played in offering hope.

• eugen friede
• aaron altaras
• teen survivor
• youth
• supportive relationships

Ruth Arndt, played by Ruby O. Fee, is a 20-year-old Jewish woman who, along with her brother, seeks refuge during the turmoil of World War II in The Invisibles. Her character demonstrates the determination to survive and the strength found in familial bonds during extreme persecution. Her experiences parallel the struggles of many hiding Jews during this dark period in history.

• ruth arndt
• ruby o fee
• family bonds
• survival
• sibling

Werner Scharff, portrayed by Florian Lukas, serves as an ally to Cioma in The Invisibles. His capture by the Nazis represents the very real dangers faced by those hiding Jews during the Holocaust. Werner embodies both the courage to resist oppression and the devastating consequences that often befell those who chose to help persecuted people.

• werner scharff
• florian Lukas
• ally
• resistance
• collateral damage

The Theresienstadt Ghetto serves as a haunting location in The Invisibles, representing one of the most notorious concentration camps of World War II. Located in what is now the Czech Republic, it was used by the Nazis to imprison Jews under horrific conditions, including overcrowding, disease, and systematic murder. The film uses this location as a stark reminder of the atrocities faced by those who were captured.

• theresienstadt
• concentration camp
• czech republic
• holocaust
• atrocities

The journey toward Switzerland in The Invisibles symbolizes hope, freedom, and escape from Nazi persecution. For the characters in the film, reaching Switzerland represents the ultimate goal of survival, a destination where they could live beyond the reach of the Nazi regime. This pursuit of safety embodies the desperate efforts made by many Jews during the Holocaust to flee to neutral countries.

• switzerland
• escape
• freedom
• hope
• neutral country