Russell Crowe’s new World War II courtroom drama, Russell Crowe Nuremberg Movie, has seen a notable jump in its Rotten Tomatoes score ahead of its November 7 release. The film explores the tense evaluation of Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring by United States psychiatrist Douglas Kelley, portrayed by Rami Malek, to assess Göring’s fitness to testify at the historic Nuremberg trials.
Since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, the movie experienced an unusual upward trend in reviews. Initially scoring only 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, which classified it as “Rotten,” the film has since climbed to a 67% rating based on 24 critic reviews. This 27% increase is particularly uncommon, as films often receive stronger early reviews followed by a decline.
Mixed Reviews Highlight Crowe’s Performance
Critics remain divided on the film’s storytelling and tone. Gregory Nussen of ScreenRant awarded Nuremberg just 3 out of 10 stars, criticizing the film for its uneven narrative and confusing approach. He stated,
“Nuremberg is more confounding than it is true to its own intentions.”
However, most reviewers agree that Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Hermann Göring, along with performances from co-stars Rami Malek and Michael Shannon, are the film’s strongest assets.
These standout performances have sparked speculation that Crowe might earn Oscar consideration for Best Actor. The film’s improved Rotten Tomatoes rating coincides with the start of the award season, providing timely momentum for potential nominations.
Context of Crowe’s Career and Oscar Contenders
Russell Crowe has previously received three Academy Award nominations, winning Best Actor in 2001 for Gladiator. It has been nearly 23 years since his last nomination, making this role in Nuremberg significant for his career resurgence. Yet, the competition in the Best Actor category this year is formidable, including actors like Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another and Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme.
Film Origins and Upcoming Release
Nuremberg is written and directed by James Vanderbilt, whose credits include The Amazing Spider-Man, Abigail, and several recent Scream films. The screenplay adapts Jack El-Hai’s 2013 book, The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, focusing on the psychological examination during the aftermath of World War II.
The film’s theatrical release on November 7, 2025, arrives just under two weeks before the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg trials, which commenced in 1945, adding historical resonance to its debut.
