Set during the Second World War, this Netflix drama is a true reflection of the bravery of ordinary people during extraordinary times.
Released in 2023, the war film takes you back in time to the 1940s during the Holocaust, when Poland was being invaded by the Nazis and Jewish people were being targeted.
Irena’s Vow focuses on one story of a brave nurse who helped to shelter and protect Jewish people by hiding them in the cellar of the home where she worked.
The owners of the house employed her as a housekeeper and just so happened to be a German Army officer known as Major Eduard Rügemer.
Hers is one of many true stories of heroism as someone who innocently put their life at risk in a bid to save others, and it has been immortalised forever in both this film and the Broadway play of the same name, both written by Dan Gordon.
The film stars Sophie Nélisse as Irena Gut Opdyke, best known for her role in Yellowjackets, and also stars in The Book Thief. She plays the real woman and hero who was later honoured as a Righteous Among the Nations in Jerusalem for saving 12 Jews.
The actress has received plenty of praise for her performance in the 2023 film, with one Rotten Tomatoes review describing it as “outstanding”. Alongside her on screen is a cast including Dougray Scott, Agata Turkot, Andrzej Seweryn and Irena Melcer.
Another impressed viewer shared: “Wow what a powerful, beautiful story. I’d never heard of this, and I do so like that it was based on true events. It also had exceptional acting by all. Give it a look, I’m sure you’ll like it.”
Meanwhile, one fan of the film warned about its graphic content, writing: “Superb film! Very intense violence in a couple of places … thus the “R” rating is justified . However , the depiction of Nazi beastial anger seems authentic.”
The message behind the film has touched many viewers, and it surprises them to learn it comes from the lived experiences of real Jews and their protector, Irene Opdyke.
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The self-sacrifice she made wasn’t easy, as once Rügemer found out about the 12 Jews she was hiding, he decided to keep her secret, but in exchange for a sexual relationship. Eventually, she was able to flee the country to an allied Germany before she met her future husband and emigrated to America for a fresh start.
Radio Times reviewed the film, claiming: “Excellent performances – especially from Yellowjackets star Sophie Nélisse as Irena and Dougray Scott as her Nazi boss – elevate some skimpily scripted characters, but the compelling nature of an almost unbelievable true story keeps you gripped.”
Another critic compared Irena’s Schindler’s List for its “vignettes of goodness and hope”.
