Image Credit: Netflix
Netflix is getting ready to reveal the terrifying origin story of one of America’s most notorious domestic terrorists, the Unabomber (formerly known as Unabomb and before that, actually, Unabomber!). With a stellar cast led by Jacob Tremblay, Russell Crowe, and Shailene Woodley, the R-rated biographical thriller is officially set to release on Netflix globally on September 25, 2026.
To prepare for the release, USA Today recently issued a Exclusive first look at the upcoming filmWhich gives us our first glimpse of Tremblay’s transformation into a young Ted Kaczynski.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Unabomber, including what it’s about, who’s starring in it, and who’s behind the camera.
What is Unabomber about?
Rather than focusing solely on the bombings that paralyzed the country for nearly two decades, Unabomber takes an unconventional narrative approach by using two cross-cutting timelines.
The official Netflix logline reads:
“Inspired by true events, UNABOMBER follows Ted Kaczynski (Jacob Tremblay)’s transformation from 16-year-old Harvard prodigy to notorious Unabomber. Subject to the controversial psychological experiments of Professor Henry Murray (Russell Crowe), Kaczynski’s troubled past resurfaces decades later when his investigation, led by FBI agent Joan Miller (Shailene Woodley), brings to light horrifying consequences. Ambition And isolation.
The first timeline takes us back to the 1950s, following 16-year-old Kaczynski as a math genius at Harvard. There, he became an unwitting guinea pig in a series of abusive, CIA-funded mind control experiments (which laid the basis for the infamous MK-Ultra program). The experiments are led by Henry Murray, a charismatic but deeply manipulative psychology professor.
The second timeline moves to the mid-1990s, focusing on an intense FBI manhunt to capture the elusive bomber, using a major lead directly tied to Kaczynski’s time at Harvard.
Speaking exclusively to USA TODAY, star Jacob Tremblay noted the unique challenge of playing an infamous man before he becomes a monster: “I really enjoyed playing a young Ted and this innocent take on this domestic terrorist. I’m playing a character who has no idea who the Unabomber is. He has no idea about the man he’s going to become.”
Director Janus Metz elaborated on the psychological breakdown portrayed in the film, telling USA Today, “Murray is charming and charismatic, and as Ted begins to see him as a father figure, he abandons his real parents and looks at everything he wants to be – until the reality of the experiments is brutally revealed to him.”
Unabomber. Jacob Tremblay as Ted Kaczynski in The Unabomber. Ten million. Philip Bos/Netflix ©2026
Who is in the cast of Unabomber?
The film features a huge cast of established stars and emerging talent:
- jacob tremblay (Room, The Smurfs 2) Plays teenage Ted Kaczynski. To prepare for the role, Tremblay studied investigative recordings of the adult Kaczynski to capture his unique cadence and cocky confidence.
- Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind) plays Harvard psychologist Professor Henry Murray, who subjects Kaczynski to verbal abuse and a psychological breakdown under the guise of an academic philosophy club.
- Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies, Divergent) stars as Joan Miller, a fictional FBI agent who leads a 1990s manhunt, using the Unabomber’s own manifesto to track him down.
- Annabelle Wallis (Peaky Blinders, Malignant) plays Christiana Morgan, Murray’s partner in the experiments.
- Alexander Ludwig (Vikings, Heels) Plays a fellow FBI agent on Miller’s team.
- steven ogg (The Walking Dead, GTA V)
- mark menchaca (Ozark, The Outsider)
Who is behind the Unabomber?
directed the film Janus MetzWhom Netflix fans will know from the hit thriller Borg vs. McEnroe and his work on episodes of True Detective and Endor.
The screenplay was written by the writing duo Sam Chalson And Nelson Greaves (Sleepy Hollow), who also serves as executive producer Donald J. Lee Jr. The film has been produced Sophie Cassidy 2.0 for entertainment and Doug BelgradIn collaboration with MRC.
Behind the camera, the film features music by renowned composers Marco Beltrami (A Quiet Place, Logan), costume design by Veronique Marchessaultand editing by Oscar-winners zack steinberg (Mathematics question).
When and where was Unabomber filmed?
Unabomber goes into production in the summer of 2025. Cameras began rolling in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with shooting lasting from June 4, 2025, to July 16, 2025.
The Unabomber will premiere globally on Netflix on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Are you looking forward to watching The Unabomber on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
