Netflix has released Unabomber, a biographical film directed by Janus Metz that explores the transformation of Ted Kaczynski from a teenage academic prodigy into a domestic terrorist. The film began streaming globally on September 25, 2026. Written by Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves, the movie focuses on Kaczynski’s early years at Harvard University and the subsequent FBI manhunt that led to his 1996 capture.
Netflix Releases ‘Unabomber’ Biopic Starring Jacob Tremblay and Russell Crowe
Plot and Narrative Structure
The film utilizes dual timelines to construct a portrait of Kaczynski. One narrative is set in the 1950s, depicting Kaczynski as a 16-year-old math scholar who entered Harvard in 1958 and graduated in 1962. This storyline focuses on Kaczynski being subjected to controversial psychological experiments conducted by Professor Henry Murray, which the film suggests contributed to his later ideology. According to the official synopsis, these experiments highlight the chilling consequences of ambition and isolation
.
The second timeline takes place decades later, centering on a manhunt led by FBI agent Joanne Miller, a fictional character tracking Kaczynski in 1994. This investigation brings Kaczynski’s troubled past back to the surface. While the film is inspired by true events, it is not a comprehensive birth-to-death survey of Kaczynski’s life, but rather a focused look at his undergraduate years and his eventual apprehension.
Cast and Production
Jacob Tremblay, 19, portrays Ted Kaczynski across both timelines. Director Janus Metz stated that Tremblay was his first and only choice
for the role, noting the actor’s capacity to handle the character’s intensity. Russell Crowe plays Professor Henry Murray, the figure who serves as an inspirational but predatory father figure to the young Kaczynski. Shailene Woodley stars as FBI agent Joanne Miller, while Annabelle Wallis portrays Christiana Morgan, the co-director of the Harvard Psychological Clinic during the 1960s.
The film’s production credits include producer Sophie Cassidy for 2.0 Entertainment, in association with MRC. The feature has a runtime of approximately 97 minutes and is rated R. Other cast members include Gus Halper, who plays a haughty fellow student, as well as Steven Ogg, Marc Menchaca, and Alexander Ludwig.
Critical Reception
Reviews for the film have been mixed, with some critics praising the performances while criticizing the script. A review from The Hollywood Reporter described the writing as starchy
and frequently clichéd
, suggesting that Tremblay’s performance occasionally feels bratty and insouciant
rather than menacing. The same review characterized Russell Crowe’s performance as one where he phones in
a role of avuncular appeal masking sinister motives.
Similarly, a review from Vulture argued that the film fails to provide sufficient detail or context regarding the CIA-funded behavioral studies, rendering the debates hopelessly vague
. However, the Vulture review noted that Tremblay brings a convincing mixture of vulnerability and drive
to the role and that Crowe possesses a dulcet charisma
appropriate for the character of Professor Murray.
Historical Context
The film draws on the real-life history of Ted Kaczynski, whose bombing campaign between 1978 and 1995 resulted in three deaths and 23 injuries. The narrative specifically references the Cold War-era behavioral studies at Harvard designed to push individuals to their breaking points. While some theorists speculate these experiments led to Kaczynski’s mental breakdown, the real Kaczynski denied this. The film also touches upon the legacy of Kaczynski’s 35,000-word manifesto, Industrial Society and Its Future, published in 1995.
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