Russell Crowe’s latest film, Nuremberg, which focuses on the infamous post-World War II trials, is set to premiere on Netflix on March 7. The release brings the much-discussed project, featuring Crowe as Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring, to a wider streaming audience after successful theatrical and digital runs.
Reception and Performance of Nuremberg
Nuremberg attracted significant attention from viewers, becoming a favorite among audiences while receiving mixed to positive critical reviews. With a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 95 percent based on over 1,900 reviews, the film clearly resonated with viewers, although critics rated it somewhat lower at 72 percent. Financially, the film earned more than $45 million worldwide, outperforming its estimated production budget under $12 million and reaching profitability without an extensive promotional campaign.
Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Hermann Göring is a central element of the film’s appeal. Göring’s attempt to be declared mentally unfit to stand trial for war crimes provides a dramatic focus. Crowe reflected on taking the role, saying,
I didn’t think twice. I said ‘yes’ straightaway,
Crowe said, and added,
Then the other voice creeps in where I’m a little bit afraid of the character. It’s a gigantic character, you know? His history and his position in history were a great fascination to me.
Background and Themes Behind the Film
Nuremberg was six years in development before its release, a process Crowe began in 2019. The film explores the efforts of psychiatrists tasked with assessing Nazi defendants during the trials, under pressure from the war offices to declare them insane and thus not accountable for their crimes. Instead, the psychiatrists discovered a group of rational men who had made severe choices during extreme situations, a complexity that deepens the story.
Crowe emphasized the film’s enduring relevance, noting,
I signed on to do this in 2019, and sometimes, you just could be a little bit impatient. But you can see why. What the war offices wanted them to do was for the psychiatrists to find these men completely insane and mad, and therefore, that is the explanation of their actions. But what Rami Malek‘s character found instead was a group of mainly rational men who had made extreme decisions in extreme circumstances.
The Film’s Contemporary Significance
Released amid current political tensions in the United States and worldwide, Nuremberg offers timely reflections on human nature and morality. The cast includes notable actors such as Rami Malek, who plays psychiatrist Douglas Kelley, alongside Lotte Verbeek, Michael Shannon, John Slattery, and Leo Woodall. Crowe stated,
That’s the interesting thing about this film, If this film came out 10 years ago, you could look around the world and you could find connections. I think what this movie is talking to is who we are as human beings.
As the film becomes available on Netflix, it is expected to attract significant global viewership, affirming Crowe’s return to a powerful biographical role after mixed success in recent projects. Fans and new viewers alike are likely to appreciate the intense character study and historical depth that Nuremberg delivers.
Main Cast and Their Roles in Nuremberg
The film’s key characters include Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring, the high-ranking Nazi official facing trial and psychological evaluation. Rami Malek portrays psychiatrist Douglas Kelley, who scrutinizes the mental state of the accused. Leo Woodall appears as Sergeant Howie Triest, while John Slattery takes on the role of Colonel Burton Andrus, both integral to the unfolding trial narrative.
