Russell Crowe's latest Netflix thriller, Unabomber, has hit a wall. After a promising two-week run atop the streamer's charts, the film has suffered a dramatic fall, surrendering its crown to Ben Affleck's new psychological thriller, Animals. The sudden decline suggests that the buzz—and the bad reviews—have finally caught up.
Unabomber stars Crowe as a Harvard professor who conducts experiments on a young Ted Kaczynski, played by Jacob Tremblay. The film also features Shailene Woodley as an FBI agent on the killer's trail in the 1990s. Directed by Janus Metz, the movie is one of several recent projects to explore the life of the infamous terrorist, a figure who, like Charles Manson, has become a dark cultural touchstone.
Despite its star-studded cast and intriguing premise, Unabomber has been savaged by critics. It currently holds a dismal 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it "armchair psychologist" territory that fails to convince despite strong performances. That's a far cry from the 97% earned by Netflix's beloved Mindhunter, a series that delved into the psychology of serial killers with far more finesse. It also trails the 93% "Certified Fresh" rating of Manhunt: Unabomber, the limited series starring Paul Bettany and Sam Worthington that chronicled the FBI's hunt for Kaczynski.
The numbers tell the story. In its first week, Unabomber debuted with 16 million views, then surged to 23 million in week two. But in week three, it added just 7.3 million views, dropping from the top spot to seventh place on Netflix's global chart. Meanwhile, Animals—Affleck's latest directorial effort—pulled in nearly 24 million views to claim the number-one position. Unabomber's three-week total now stands at around 47 million views, but the momentum is clearly gone.
This year, Netflix has been on a roll with mid-budget hits like Thrash, The Rip, Apex, War Machine, The Last House, and The Whisper Man. Animals looks poised to join that list, while Unabomber seems destined to fade into the algorithm's memory. For fans of psychological thrillers, there are plenty of better options to explore, from miniseries that nail the landing to perfectly plotted films.
Crowe, no stranger to critical misfires, has had a mixed year. His best-reviewed film in 27 years was recently pulled from theaters, a bizarre twist that underscores the unpredictability of his career. As for Unabomber, it may find a second life among viewers who enjoy rewatchable thrillers, but for now, it's a cautionary tale about the power of word-of-mouth—both good and bad.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Netflix's ever-shifting charts and the latest in entertainment news.
