“Unabomber,” a psychological thriller directed by Janus Metz, explores the complex life of Theodore J. Kaczynski, the American domestic terrorist who conducted a nearly two-decade bombing campaign. The film, now streaming on Netflix, interweaves two distinct narratives: the relentless FBI manhunt that culminated in Kaczynski’s arrest and a dramatized flashback to his early years at Harvard University.
The movie’s contemporary storyline centers on FBI agent Joanne Miller, portrayed by Shailene Woodley, who navigates institutional skepticism as she pursues leads on Kaczynski during the 1990s. While Woodley delivers a competent performance, the subplot addressing workplace sexism feels somewhat contrived and does little to elevate the tension. Miller’s solo venture into Kaczynski’s remote Montana cabin adds suspense but at times stretches credibility, presenting her actions as reckless rather than brave.
More compelling and suspenseful are the sequences set in 1958, depicting a 16-year-old Kaczynski (played by Jacob Tremblay) participating in an experimental psychology study under the supervision of professor Henry A. Murray, portrayed by Russell Crowe. This shadowy experiment, reportedly backed by an early incarnation of the Central Intelligence Agency, subjects Kaczynski to extreme interrogation techniques designed to test his mental fortitude. Crowe’s portrayal of the austere and calculating academic captures the chilling atmosphere of the study, while Tremblay effectively conveys the vulnerability and isolation of a young prodigy caught in a disturbing power dynamic.
Metz’s direction alternates between the past and present, offering a layered perspective on Kaczynski as both a victim of psychological manipulation and a dangerous offender. The film’s title, “Unabomber,” derives from the FBI’s codename for Kaczynski during the investigation, referring to his initial targets in academia and aviation. The exploration of Kaczynski’s early trauma is underscored by the ironic use of the label “Lawful,” which was his alias during the Harvard experiment.
Running 97 minutes and rated R for psychological abuse and ethical violations in academia, “Unabomber” seeks to examine the roots of domestic terrorism through a dual lens of psychological drama and procedural thriller. While the film’s pacing and character development are uneven, its depiction of the controversial psychological experiment offers a distinctive insight into the factors that may have contributed to Kaczynski’s radicalization.