August 27, 2026: Netflix has released the first trailer for UNABOMBER, giving viewers a disturbing first look at Jacob Tremblay as a young Ted Kaczynski and exploring the experiences that preceded his transformation into the infamous Unabomber.
Directed by Janus Metz, the upcoming film is inspired by true events and follows Kaczynski’s journey from a gifted young Harvard student to the man responsible for a nearly two-decade-long bombing campaign. The story also examines the controversial psychological experiments he underwent while studying at Harvard and the FBI investigation that ultimately led to his capture.
HOLR breaks down the story here.
Jacob Tremblay Takes on a Darkly Complex Role
The trailer introduces Tremblay as a teenage Kaczynski during his time at Harvard, where he is portrayed as exceptionally intelligent but increasingly isolated from the people around him.
Kaczynski entered Harvard at just 15 and was already recognized for his mathematical abilities. Rather than beginning the story with the notorious figure audiences already know, UNABOMBER goes back to his formative years and attempts to examine the circumstances surrounding his eventual descent into violence.
For Tremblay, the role represents a significant departure from the performances that first made him famous. Known for films including Room and Wonder, the actor is now portraying one of the most infamous domestic terrorists in American history.
Entertainment Weekly reports that Tremblay was drawn to the role partly because Kaczynski was so different from the characters he had previously played.
Russell Crowe Plays the Professor Who Enters Kaczynski’s Story
Russell Crowe also takes on a major role in the film as Harvard psychologist Dr. Henry Murray.
The trailer highlights Murray’s relationship with the young Kaczynski, including the psychological experiments that become an important part of the film’s narrative. Murray encourages the young student to participate in the experiments, while Kaczynski appears increasingly uncertain about his place among his peers.
The film does not simply present Kaczynski’s later crimes in isolation. Instead, it moves backward to examine a period in his life that the filmmakers believe is important to understanding the person he became.
The Story Moves Between Two Timelines
One of the most notable elements of the trailer is its dual timeline.
One storyline follows Kaczynski during his younger years, particularly his time at Harvard and his encounters with Murray. The other follows the FBI investigation decades later as authorities work to identify and capture the Unabomber.
Shailene Woodley stars as FBI agent Joanne Miller, a fictional character who leads the manhunt in the film. The two timelines gradually move toward each other, connecting Kaczynski’s early experiences with the investigation into his later crimes.
This structure allows UNABOMBER to function as both an origin story and an investigation thriller.
The Trailer Offers a Look at Kaczynski’s Isolation
Rather than immediately focusing on the notorious image associated with the Unabomber, the trailer spends considerable time showing Kaczynski as an awkward and isolated young man.
At Harvard, he struggles to connect with those around him and appears increasingly uncomfortable with the world he is entering. The trailer suggests that his intelligence, ambition, isolation, and experiences with psychological experimentation will all play a role in the film’s exploration of his eventual radicalization.
However, the film’s examination of these experiences should not be confused with an excuse for Kaczynski’s crimes. His bombing campaign killed three people and injured 23 others over a period of nearly two decades.
What Is UNABOMBER About?
According to Netflix, the film follows Kaczynski’s transformation from a 16-year-old Harvard prodigy into the infamous Unabomber. His past resurfaces years later as the FBI investigation intensifies, bringing renewed attention to the experiences that shaped his life.
The filmmakers are particularly interested in the contrast between the brilliant young student and the criminal figure he eventually became.
Director Janus Metz has described the film as a story about a young man who becomes increasingly disconnected from society before turning to violence. The movie therefore focuses not only on the investigation but also on the psychological and personal dimensions surrounding Kaczynski’s transformation.
Who Stars in UNABOMBER?
The cast includes Jacob Tremblay as Ted Kaczynski, Russell Crowe as Henry Murray, and Shailene Woodley as FBI agent Joanne Miller.
Annabelle Wallis, Alexander Ludwig, Steven Ogg, and Marc Menchaca also appear in supporting roles. Janus Metz directs the film from a screenplay by Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves.
When Will UNABOMBER Be Released?
UNABOMBER is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on September 25, 2026.
The first trailer suggests that the film will go beyond a conventional true-crime retelling, using Kaczynski’s early years, his controversial Harvard experiences, and the FBI investigation to create a broader portrait of the events surrounding one of America’s most notorious criminal cases.
HOLR has the latest news on UNABOMBER as the film heads toward its September release.
FAQs
What is the Netflix movie UNABOMBER about?
UNABOMBER is a drama inspired by true events that follows Ted Kaczynski’s transformation from a 16-year-old Harvard prodigy into the infamous Unabomber. The film explores his years at Harvard, his involvement in controversial psychological experiments led by Professor Henry Murray, and the later FBI investigation that pursued him.
Who plays Ted Kaczynski in UNABOMBER?
Jacob Tremblay plays the young Ted Kaczynski in UNABOMBER. The film focuses heavily on Kaczynski’s younger years and his experiences as a student at Harvard.
Who stars in UNABOMBER with Jacob Tremblay?
The film stars Russell Crowe as Harvard psychologist Henry Murray and Shailene Woodley as FBI agent Joanne Miller. Annabelle Wallis, Alexander Ludwig, Steven Ogg, and Marc Menchaca also appear in the movie.
What is the UNABOMBER trailer about?
The trailer introduces young Kaczynski at Harvard before moving between his formative years and the later FBI investigation into the Unabomber. It highlights his isolation, his relationship with Henry Murray, and the psychological experiments that become an important part of the story.
Who plays Henry Murray in UNABOMBER?
Russell Crowe portrays Henry Murray, the Harvard psychologist whose controversial psychological experiments with Kaczynski form a significant part of the film’s story.
Who is Shailene Woodley playing in UNABOMBER?
Shailene Woodley plays Joanne Miller, an FBI agent who leads the investigation into the Unabomber in the film. The character is fictional and is used as part of the movie’s FBI investigation storyline.
When does UNABOMBER come out on Netflix?
UNABOMBER is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on September 25, 2026. Netflix lists the film as a drama inspired by true events.
Is UNABOMBER based on a true story?
Yes. Netflix describes UNABOMBER as a drama inspired by true events. The story draws from Ted Kaczynski’s real-life history, including his Harvard years and the FBI manhunt that ultimately led to his capture.
Published by HOLR Magazine