Russell Crowe stars as Professor Henry Murray in Unabom, Netflix’s upcoming true crime film that dives into the origins and capture of the infamous Unabomber. Currently in production with no confirmed release date, the film follows Ted Kaczynski’s life from his formative years at Harvard to his eventual manhunt, promising a compelling portrayal of one of America’s most notorious criminals.
Netflix’s New Crime Drama Brings Together a High-Profile Cast
The Netflix project Unabom is assembling a notable ensemble, featuring renowned Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe, Jacob Tremblay cast as Ted Kaczynski, as well as Shailene Woodley and Annabelle Wallis. While the streamer has yet to announce when audiences will get to watch the film, the anticipation is high due to the caliber of its cast and production crew.
The creative team is spearheaded by writers Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves—known for their collaboration on the series Sleepy Hollow—while director Janus Metz, credited for Borg vs McEnroe and episodes of Andor and ZeroZeroZero, leads the project. Metz discussed with Netflix the direction of the film and its unique focus within the Unabomber’s history:
“Unabom is a story about a young man who feels increasingly disenfranchised by society and decides to take up violence as a means of revenge. We crosscut between two timelines, roughly speaking: the making of the Unabomber and the capture of the Unabomber.
I was fascinated by the fact that the hunt for the Unabomber was the FBI’s longest and most expensive operation to date. But what really drew me in was the story about Ted Kaczynski’s years at Harvard when he was a young math student. This was a side to the story I didn’t know about; it helps uncover a very dark chapter in American history.”
Exploring the Roots and Repercussions of the Unabomber Case
Distinguishing itself from other retellings, Unabom delves into the personal transformation underlying Ted Kaczynski’s shift from a promising Harvard prodigy into the domestic terrorist whose crimes haunted America from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. The film’s structure interweaves the evolution of Kaczynski with the intense pursuit to bring him to justice, illuminating not only the attacks but the formative influences that shaped his criminal path.
As the official synopsis reveals, Russell Crowe takes on the complex role of Professor Henry Murray, the psychologist whose controversial experiments at Harvard played a pivotal role in Kaczynski’s life. Shailene Woodley portrays FBI agent Joanne Miller, whose leadership during the manhunt brings to the surface the lasting consequences of ambition and isolation in the case:
“Inspired by true events, Unabom follows Ted Kaczynski’s (Jacob Tremblay) transformation from Harvard prodigy into the infamous Unabomber. Subjected to controversial psychological experiments by Professor Henry Murray (Russell Crowe), Kaczynski’s troubled past resurfaces decades later when his manhunt, led by FBI agent Joanne Miller (Shailene Woodley), brings to light the chilling consequences of ambition and isolation.”
Jacob Tremblay Takes Center Stage as Young Ted Kaczynski
Jacob Tremblay, first recognized for his powerful performance as Jack Newsome in the abduction thriller Room, returns to the spotlight in Unabom. Though he did not receive an Academy Award nomination for Room, Tremblay’s emotionally nuanced work has led to roles in films such as Wonder, Good Boys, Doctor Sleep, and Pixar’s Luca. Looking ahead, he is also set for Mike Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck in 2025.
Director Janus Metz cited Tremblay’s impressive range as the decisive factor in casting him as the younger Kaczynski. Metz explained his vision and motivation for bringing Tremblay into the role:
“Jacob Tremblay is an immensely talented young actor. He has a sensitivity that feels perfect for my vision of Ted when he was a young student at Harvard. There’s a vulnerability and intelligence to Jacob’s look and performance that this story needs. I was convinced that Jacob was right for the part after our first conversation and it has been a huge pleasure to now finally be able to do the work and hone in on the character with him.”
The Creative Team and Netflix’s Approach to True Crime
Behind the script are Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves, whose previous partnership on Sleepy Hollow set the stage for their approach to character-driven drama. Janus Metz’s cinematic eye, honed through features like Borg vs McEnroe and acclaimed television work on Andor, lends a dramatic intensity and nuanced storytelling perspective to this adaptation.
The production joins Netflix’s broader slate, which has featured notable crime and horror films such as The Call and Sister Death. While these titles brought attention to underexplored narratives, Unabom sets itself apart by focusing on psychological complexity and the societal forces at play during one of the FBI’s most significant investigations.
What Makes Unabom Stand Out in the True Crime Genre
With its dual timelines, real-life foundation, and a cast led by Russell Crowe, Jacob Tremblay, and Shailene Woodley, Unabom promises both emotional depth and historical insight. By examining Ted Kaczynski’s troubled upbringing, his relationship with Professor Henry Murray, and the resulting manhunt, Netflix offers audiences a new perspective on a notorious American crime story.
The anticipation around Unabom is driven by its exploration of formative events that contributed to Kaczynski’s identity, the exhaustive pursuit by the FBI, and the lasting effects these events had on American society. As production continues and a release date awaits confirmation, viewers can look forward to a true crime drama that aims to penetrate beyond headlines and investigate the roots of one of the nation’s most chilling criminal stories.
