Jacob Tremblay didn’t know much about Ted Kaczynski’s personal life before signing on to play him in Netflix‘s new movie Unabomber.
“I didn’t even know he went to Harvard until I read the script; I think most people don’t,” the 19-year-old actor told Netflix. “But he was a mathematical genius when he was 16. It’s quite fascinating, actually.”
Directed by Janus Metz, the telefilm chronicles Kaczynski’s transition from a child prodigy to the domestic terrorist who killed three people and injured 23 more with his homemade bombs. The filmmaker explores two separate timelines: the making of the Unabomber and the capture of the Unabomber.
“I really wanted to make sure I went into this role playing him as a real person,” Tremblay added. “I wanted him to feel real. I drew from my own personal experiences of what it feels like to be involved in a career where I’m surrounded by a lot of people who are older than me, and that feeling of not fitting in a bit.”
Read on for everything to know about Unabomber.
THE CAST
Unabomber is led by Tremblay as Kaczynski, Russell Crowe as Prof. Henry Murray, and Shailene Woodley as FBI Agent Joanne Miller. Additional cast members include Annabelle Wallis, Alexander Ludwig, Steven Ogg, and Marc Menchaca.
THE PLOT
Direct from Netflix: “Inspired by true events, Unabomber follows Ted Kaczynski’s transformation from 16-year-old Harvard prodigy into the infamous Unabomber. Subjected to controversial psychological experiments by Professor Henry Murray, Kaczynski’s troubled past resurfaces decades later when his manhunt, led by FBI agent Joanne Miller, brings to light the chilling consequences of ambition and isolation.”
THE CREATIVES
Janus Metz directs the film from a screenplay by Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves. Producers include Sophie Cassidy, Donald J. Lee, Sam Chalsen, and Nelson Greaves.
THE RELEASE DATE
Save the date: Unabomber will arrive globally on Netflix on Sept. 25.
AWARDS PROSPECTS
Since Unabomber is not being released in movie theaters, it will not be eligible to compete for any Oscars. Netflix has until next year to decide whether it will campaign the project in the Best Movie category at the 2027 Emmys. Stay tuned.
