Thescreescore – Russell Crowe’s latest cinematic endeavor, Unabomber, has landed on Netflix, immediately igniting a fervent debate among critics. While the Oscar-winning actor has cultivated a reputation as a consistent draw on streaming platforms, often seeing his theatrical releases find renewed life and chart-topping success in the digital realm, this exclusive Netflix crime thriller marks a notable departure. Early reviews indicate a significant split in critical opinion, challenging Crowe’s usual streaming triumph.
With its initial ten reviews tallied, Unabomber currently holds a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This score places it alongside other mixed entries in Crowe’s filmography, such as The Pope’s Exorcist and The Next Three Days. The film’s reception contributes to a somewhat varied 2026 for the veteran actor, as it marginally outperforms his action-thriller The Get Out (45%). However, it stands in stark contrast to the critical praise garnered by his theatrical release The Weight (93%) and the earlier acclaimed Beast (81%).
Helmed by director Janus Metz Pedersen, Unabomber delves into the chilling true story of Ted Kaczynski, the infamous domestic terrorist who terrorized the United States for nearly two decades. The Netflix adaptation employs a dual-timeline narrative, with Jacob Tremblay portraying a young Kaczynski during his formative years at Harvard University. Crowe takes on the role of Professor Henry Murray, who controversially utilized Kaczynski as a test subject in his psychological experiments. Shailene Woodley also features, delivering an empathetic performance as the FBI profiler tasked with understanding the enigmatic figure.
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This isn’t Netflix’s first foray into the Unabomber saga. The critically lauded Manhunt: Unabomber (2017), starring Paul Bettany, achieved a stellar 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely considered a benchmark adaptation. Similarly, the 2021 feature Ted K, with Sharlto Copley, also received positive notices, scoring 85%. These prior successes set a high bar for the new interpretation.
Despite the divided reception, many critics concur that the film’s core performances are its undeniable strength. Tremblay’s nuanced portrayal of the titular character is frequently highlighted, while Crowe’s depiction of a profoundly manipulative professor is noted for its intensity. However, the film’s narrative ambition appears to be its Achilles’ heel. Reviewers commonly point to issues stemming from the dual timeline structure, describing the story as unfocused and overly simplistic in its attempt to explore Kaczynski’s complex origins and radicalization. A review on thescreescore.com echoed this sentiment, lamenting that the crime thriller "frustratingly misses the mark and feels like a movie with an identity problem," further noting that the "second timeline is undernourished." Awarding the film 5 out of 10 stars, the critique labeled it "an odd movie that is both fragmented and, frankly, feels a bit problematic," with the performances serving as its primary redeeming quality.
While Crowe has made appearances in streaming originals before, including an uncredited cameo in Brad Pitt’s War Machine, Unabomber marks his inaugural starring role in a Netflix original feature. As 2026 draws to a close, Crowe’s schedule remains robust, with The Last Druid and Billion Dollar Spy currently in post-production. Furthermore, the highly anticipated Highlander reboot, co-starring Henry Cavill, is expected to enter post-production soon, with Crowe set to portray Ramírez, a role famously originated by Sean Connery.
Unabomber is now available for streaming exclusively on Netflix, inviting audiences to form their own conclusions on this polarizing true-crime narrative.
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