Netflix is set to release "Unabomber", a new biographical thriller that tells the story of Ted Kaczynski, the man who became one of America's most notorious domestic terrorists. Starring Jacob Tremblay, Russell Crowe and Shailene Woodley, the R-rated film will premiere worldwide on the streamer on 25 September 2026.
The first look images show Jacob Tremblay as the young Ted Kaczynski. The film focuses on how a gifted teenager gradually transformed into the man known as the 'Unabomber'.
Unlike many crime dramas, "Unabomber" does not simply retell the bombing campaign that shocked the United States for nearly 20 years. Instead, the film follows two parallel timelines, exploring both Kaczynski's early life and the investigation that eventually led to his arrest.. To prepare for the role, Tremblay studied recordings of the adult Kaczynski to capture his distinctive voice and mannerisms.
“I didn’t even know he went to Harvard until I read the script; I think most people don’t,” Tremblay told Netflix. “But he was a mathematical genius when he was 16. It’s quite fascinating, actually.”
The first storyline takes viewers back to the 1950s, when 16-year-old Kaczynski enters Harvard University as a maths prodigy. There, he becomes involved in a series of controversial psychological experiments led by Professor Henry Murray, played by Russell Crowe. The experiments, which were funded by the CIA and later became linked to the early development of the MK-Ultra programme, subject Kaczynski to emotional and psychological abuse. As he begins to see Murray as a mentor and father figure, the damaging effects of the experiments slowly take hold.
On casting the actor, director Janus Metz said, “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 second timeline is set in the mid-1990s, when the FBI is desperately trying to identify and capture the elusive bomber. Shailene Woodley plays Joanne Miller, a fictional FBI agent who helps lead the investigation. As the search continues, investigators uncover a key connection between the crimes and Kaczynski's years at Harvard.
The supporting cast includes Annabelle Wallis as Christiana Morgan, Murray's associate in the experiments, Alexander Ludwig as an FBI agent, along with Steven Ogg and Marc Menchaca in undisclosed roles.
Metz is known for "Borg vs. McEnroe" as well as episodes of "True Detective" and "Andor". The screenplay was written by Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves, who also serve as executive producers. The film is produced by Sophie Cassidy for 2.0 Entertainment and Doug Belgrad in association with MRC.
Filming took place in Montreal, Canada, during the summer of 2025, with production running from 4 June to 16 July. Featuring music by acclaimed composer Marco Beltrami and editing by Academy Award winner Zach Staenberg, "Unabomber" aims to offer a thoughtful and unsettling look at the events that shaped one of America's most infamous criminals.
