Free at Heart (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

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Free at Heart follows 16-year-old Sebastian after his family welcomes Kolja, a teenager who is revealed to be his biological brother. As their bond deepens into an unexpected first love, the family faces secrecy, fractured trust and the pressure of a close-knit community’s expectations.

Free at Heart is a 2026 German drama that places family, first love and social expectations at the center of an emotionally complicated story. The film follows Sebastian, a sheltered 16-year-old whose life changes when another teenager joins his household under unexpected circumstances.

Directed and written by Max Hegewald, the film focuses on Sebastian and Kolja as they move from unfamiliar housemates to biological brothers whose growing closeness challenges the family’s trust and the norms of their small town.

Free at Heart movie details

Story without spoilers

Sebastian’s quiet life changes when his family takes in 15-year-old Kolja, who is presented as the son of his father’s recently deceased girlfriend. With Kolja now living alongside Sebastian and his younger sister, the two boys gradually become more open with one another.

Their relationship takes an unexpected turn when they discover that they are biological brothers. As their emotional connection deepens into a first love, Sebastian and Kolja conceal their relationship. The secret eventually comes to light, placing the family in conflict with the social structure and expectations of their small-town community.

What to expect

The supplied premise points to a serious, character-centered drama blending family conflict and romance. Its central tension comes from Sebastian and Kolja’s changing relationship, the breakdown of trust between Sebastian and his parents, and the consequences of a secret that challenges accepted social norms.

The film is also described through LGBTQ-related themes, including gay romance and teenage identity. With a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes, Free at Heart has room to explore the emotional pressure surrounding its central characters without reducing the story to a simple coming-of-age romance.

Cast and creative team

Linus Moog plays Sebastian “Basti” Eiffler, while Aurel Klug portrays Kolja. Annika Kuhl plays Vanessa Eiffler, and Oliver Bigalke appears as Bernd Eiffler. Marie Becker portrays Sarah. The additional cast includes Marlena Strawe, Leon Ndiaye, Karen Dahmen, Yvonne Werner-Mees and Matthieu Svetchine.

Max Hegewald serves as both director and writer, making Free at Heart a film shaped by a single credited creative lead behind the camera and on the screenplay.

• Linus Moog as Sebastian "Basti" Eiffler
• Aurel Klug as Kolja
• Annika Kuhl as Vanessa Eiffler
• Oliver Bigalke as Bernd Eiffler
• Marlena Strawe
• Leon Ndiaye
• Marie Becker as Sarah
• Karen Dahmen
• Yvonne Werner-Mees
• Matthieu Svetchine

Release and production context

Free at Heart is a German production with a listed release date of October 29, 2026. It is marked as released, runs for 1 hour and 56 minutes, and is spoken in German. The production companies are Junifilm, Bremedia Produktion, SR and Salzgeber & Co. Medien.

Production companies: Junifilm, Bremedia Produktion, SR, Salzgeber & Co. Medien

Free at Heart official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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Free at Heart presents a difficult family and romantic premise through Sebastian and Kolja’s changing bond. Its story brings together adolescence, secrecy, biological family ties and the pressures of a small-town community, offering a drama built around emotional conflict rather than straightforward romance.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb