Last updated: 2026-08-28 · Published: 2026-08-28
Netflix has released the first trailer for “Unabomber,” a biographical drama starring Jacob Tremblay as a young Ted Kaczynski opposite Russell Crowe. The film tracks Kaczynski’s transformation from a 16-year-old Harvard prodigy into the figure behind the longest manhunt in U.S. history.
Tremblay plays Kaczynski during his student years, where he becomes the subject of controversial psychological experiments by Harvard professor Henry Murray, played by Crowe. The film releases globally on Netflix on Sept. 25, 2026.
Key facts at a glance
| Film | “Unabomber,” a Netflix biographical drama |
| Cast | Jacob Tremblay, Russell Crowe, Shailene Woodley, Annabelle Wallis, Alexander Ludwig, Steven Ogg |
| Director | Janus Metz |
| Release date | Globally on Netflix, Sept. 25, 2026 |
| Plot | Kaczynski’s journey from Harvard prodigy to the Unabomber |
| Screenplay | Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves |
The trailer
Netflix unveiled the trailer for “Unabomber” on Thursday, giving a first look at Tremblay’s portrayal of a young Ted Kaczynski. The footage contrasts his early promise as a Harvard mathematics prodigy with the isolation that precedes his later crimes, and previews the strained dynamic with Professor Henry Murray and the FBI investigation led by agent Joanne Miller, played by Shailene Woodley.
Reviews of the preview lean heavily on Tremblay’s performance, with The Hollywood Reporter describing a young man who “doesn’t like the world he sees.” The film frames the story as a study in ambition, isolation and their consequences rather than a biography of the crimes themselves.
Who is in the cast
“Unabomber” pairs Tremblay (“Room,” “Sovereign”) with an ensemble led by Russell Crowe (“Gladiator,” “A Beautiful Mind”) as Henry Murray. Shailene Woodley plays FBI agent Joanne Miller. The supporting cast includes Annabelle Wallis (“Star Trek: Discovery”), Alexander Ludwig (“Vikings”), Steven Ogg (“The Walking Dead”) and Marc Menchaca (“Ozark”).
Janus Metz directs from a screenplay by Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves. The project is executive produced by Greaves, Donald J. Lee and Sam Chalsen in association with MRC, with Sophie Cassidy producing for 2.0 Entertainment.
Context behind the story
Ted Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a series of bombings between 1978 and 1995 that killed three people and injured 23 others, targeting academics, airlines and technologists. His first bombing took place in 1978, and he was located in a cabin in the woods in 1996, ending a manhunt that spanned roughly 17 years and became the longest in U.S. history. He died in June 2023 in federal custody. The film dramatizes the lead-up to those events, centering on his years inside a controversial Harvard psychological study rather than detailing the attacks.
Video: Official trailer
UNABOMBER Official Trailer (2026) — Russell Crowe, Shailene Woodley — Netflix
The official trailer gives the first full look at Tremblay as a young Ted Kaczynski and Crowe as Harvard psychologist Henry Murray, teasing the film’s dramatic focus on ambition, experiments and isolation before the release on Sept. 25, 2026.
UNABOMBER Official Trailer (2026) — Jacob Tremblay Is Ted Kaczynski
A second cut of the trailer highlights Tremblay’s transformation from Harvard prodigy, pairing his early promise with the isolation central to the film’s narrative.
Confirmed vs. speculation
| Confirmed | Not confirmed |
|---|---|
| “Unabomber” releases globally on Netflix on Sept. 25, 2026 | That the film will receive a theatrical run alongside the stream |
| Jacob Tremblay plays a young Ted Kaczynski; Russell Crowe plays Henry Murray | Critical reception and reviews, which are not yet available |
| Janus Metz directs from a script by Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves | The film’s runtime or any future awards campaign plans |
| The trailer was released in late August 2026 | How closely the dramatization follows the historical record |
Note: This story covers the film’s announcement and trailer as a piece of entertainment news. The dramatisés treatment of real events and figures is a fictionalized production.
Frequently asked questions
When does “Unabomber” release on Netflix?
“Unabomber” releases globally on Netflix on Sept. 25, 2026.
Who stars in Netflix’s “Unabomber”?
Jacob Tremblay plays a young Ted Kaczynski, alongside Russell Crowe as Harvard psychologist Henry Murray, Shailene Woodley, Annabelle Wallis, Alexander Ludwig, Steven Ogg and Marc Menchaca.
Who directed “Unabomber”?
Janus Metz directed the film from a screenplay by Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves.
What is the film about?
It follows Ted Kaczynski’s transformation from a 16-year-old Harvard prodigy, shaped by controversial psychological experiments, and the investigation that ultimately brought his crimes to light.
Is this a documentary about the Unabomber?
No. It is a scripted biographical drama starring actors, not a documentary or factual retelling.
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Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter
- People
- Netflix / Tudum
- Entertainment Weekly
