UNABOMBER is now streaming on Netflix after being released on Friday, September 25, 2026.
The new drama stars Jacob Tremblay as Ted Kaczynski, the Harvard mathematics prodigy who later became known as the Unabomber, and follows the path from his early academic life to the FBI investigation that led to his capture.
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What the Unabomber film is about
The Unabomber film is inspired by true events and focuses on the development of Kaczynski’s identity before and during the bombing campaign that made him one of the most notorious domestic terrorists in the United States.
Netflix’s official synopsis describes a story that moves between Kaczynski’s years as a young Harvard student and the later manhunt led by FBI agent Joanne Miller, played by Shailene Woodley.
The film also examines Kaczynski’s relationship with psychology professor Henry Murray, portrayed by Russell Crowe, and the controversial experiments that Netflix says formed part of the character’s troubled past.
Director Janus Metz has said the film uses two connected timelines, showing both the making of the Unabomber and the investigation that ultimately identified him.
Unabomber cast and runtime
Jacob Tremblay leads the cast as the younger Kaczynski, while Russell Crowe plays Henry Murray and Shailene Woodley plays FBI agent Joanne Miller.
The Netflix cast listing also includes Annabelle Wallis, Alexander Ludwig, Steven Ogg and Marc Menchaca.
The film has a runtime of one hour and 40 minutes and is classified by Netflix as a drama and thriller based on real life.
Netflix has rated the movie R, reflecting its mature subject matter and depiction of terrorism, violence and psychological conflict.
Why the story begins at Harvard
Rather than presenting Kaczynski only through the later bombing investigation, the movie places considerable emphasis on his early academic career.
Netflix’s production materials describe him as a 16-year-old Harvard prodigy who was later subjected to controversial psychological experiments under Murray.
That structure gives the film a broader dramatic frame, connecting Kaczynski’s intelligence, social isolation and radicalization to the federal investigation that followed years later.
The approach also distinguishes the film from a conventional police procedural because the story is built around both the origins of Kaczynski’s transformation and the effort to stop him.
What the film changes from the real case
UNABOMBER is a scripted drama inspired by true events, not a documentary or a complete factual record of the investigation.
That means viewers should treat its reconstructed conversations, character relationships and compressed timeline as elements of a film interpretation rather than as a transcript of historical events.
The real bombing campaign attributed to Kaczynski killed three people and injured 23 others, according to Netflix’s background material for the film.
The movie’s central investigation is therefore based on a case with real victims and lasting consequences, even as the production focuses on the psychological and biographical questions surrounding Kaczynski.
How to watch Unabomber on Netflix
Netflix lists UNABOMBER as a 2026 feature film available to stream and download through its service.
The film was released on September 25, 2026, as part of Netflix’s late-September movie lineup.
It is separate from the earlier documentary series Unabomber: In His Own Words, which also examines Kaczynski but uses interviews and archival material rather than a scripted dramatic performance.
For viewers looking for additional Netflix releases, CTCNews.ca has also published a guide to new Netflix movies arriving in Canada this week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Unabomber on Netflix now?
Yes. Netflix released UNABOMBER on September 25, 2026, and lists it as available to stream and download.
Who plays Ted Kaczynski in Unabomber?
Jacob Tremblay plays Ted Kaczynski in the new Netflix drama.
Who else stars in Unabomber?
Russell Crowe plays psychologist Henry Murray, while Shailene Woodley plays FBI agent Joanne Miller. Annabelle Wallis, Alexander Ludwig, Steven Ogg and Marc Menchaca are also in the cast.
Is Unabomber a documentary?
No. UNABOMBER is a scripted drama inspired by true events, rather than a documentary.
How long is the Unabomber movie?
The film has a runtime of one hour and 40 minutes.
Fact-Checked: Key release, cast, runtime and synopsis details were checked against Netflix’s official title page, Media Center listing and Tudum production materials.
Disclaimer: UNABOMBER is a dramatized production, so reconstructed scenes and dialogue should not be treated as a complete historical record.