UNABOMBER
(director/writer: Janus Metz; screenwriters: Sam Chalsen, Nelson Greaves; cinematographer: Yves Bélanger; editor: Zach Staenberg; music: Marco Beltrami; cast: Russell Crowe (Prof. Henry Murray), Jacob Tremblay (Ted Kaczynski), Shailene Woodley (Joanne Miller, FBI Agent), Annabelle Wallis (Christiana Morgan, Prof. Henry’s assistant), Gus Halper (Mr. C), Steven Ogg (Dean Kaplan), Alexander Ludwig (Leo Driver), Marc Menchaca (Eddie Turrell); Runtime: 97; MPAA Rating: R; producer: Sophie Cassidy; Netflix; 2026)
“A dull bio-pic drama on the infamous serial killer nicknamed the Unabomber.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Danish filmmaker Janus Metz (“All The Old Knives”/ “Heartbound”) directss a dull bio-pic drama on the infamous serial killer nicknamed the Unabomber, from the period of 1978-1995, where there were 3 vics and much publicity of him in the media. It’s written by Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves without hitting the target as either intended police procedural or as a psychological study.
The socially awkward Ted Kaczynski (Jacob Tremblay) in 1958, at the age of 16, was a student at Harvard, encouraged by his parents to become a big success. He joins by invitation the debate team of the charismatic Professor Henry (Russell Crowe) and debates Mr. C (Gus Halper) while hooked to a machine. He feels humiliated, as Mr C is doing this to report back to the CIA if the child prodigy can be used as a spy asset. The debates leave Ted with a bitterness toward society and a feeling of not belonging.
The story picks up in 1996, after the FBI fails to capture the bomber for over 3 decades, who is terrorizing the nation through his bombings and threatening comments in the media. That the bomber is still on the loose prompts the young Agent Joanne Miller (Shailene Woodley) to go after him on her own, using her own clues as she goes to rural Montana. This draws negative comments from her male colleagues.
The film offers no new insights to a story that was covered in depth by the news media. I can appreciate Miller’s dedicated performance, but found the film unable to even say how crazy the psychopathic genius wannabe revolutionist was.
The Unabomber was caught after the Washington Post and the NY Times published his 35,000 word manifesto he insisted they print so he wouldn’t strike again, and his sister-in-law and brother recognized him from the writing and informed the authorities.
REVIEWED ON 10/6/2026 GRADE: C+
dennisschwartzreviews.com