Netflix subscribers can't seem to get enough of true crime, even when critics turn up their noses. That's the story with Unabomber, the twisty thriller starring Russell Crowe as a controversial Harvard psychologist, which is still pulling massive numbers on the streamer as October 2026 rolls on. After debuting at No. 1 worldwide with 16.4 million views in its first partial week, the film has refused to fade, lingering among Netflix's most-watched movies weeks after its September 25 premiere.
The movie dives into the infamous case of Ted Kaczynski, tracing his journey from a 16-year-old Harvard prodigy to the target of a sprawling nationwide manhunt. Kaczynski's bombing campaign terrorized the country for nearly two decades, and the film dramatizes both his radicalization and the FBI's desperate efforts to catch him. Jacob Tremblay (Room) takes on the role of the young Kaczynski, while Crowe embodies Professor Henry Murray, the psychologist whose ethically dubious experiments may have left a mark on the young man. Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies) plays FBI agent Joanne Miller, the fictionalized lead on the case.
The supporting cast is stacked with familiar faces: Annabelle Wallis (Malignant), Alexander Ludwig (Vikings), Steven Ogg (The Walking Dead), and Marc Menchaca (Ozark) all appear. Directed with a dark, Zodiac-style atmosphere, the film aims to unsettle as much as it informs, though its factual liberties have drawn fire from some quarters.
Critics vs. Subscribers: A Familiar Divide
If you've been following Netflix's original films, you know the drill: what critics pan, audiences often embrace. Unabomber currently holds a dismal 26% on Rotten Tomatoes, with audience scores only slightly better at 54%. Yet the streaming giant's viewership data tells a completely different story. The film's No. 1 global debut and sustained chart presence suggest that true-crime fans are more than willing to overlook negative reviews—especially when a movie offers a juicy, ripped-from-the-headlines narrative.
It's a pattern we've seen before, most recently with Ben Affleck's Animals, which also shot to the top of Netflix despite lukewarm critical reception. Clearly, the algorithm and the audience appetite for dark, twisty thrillers remain a powerful combination.
Even the harshest reviews have found something to praise: Russell Crowe's performance. The Oscar winner brings a menacing gravitas to Professor Murray, a real-life figure whose psychological experiments on Harvard undergraduates—including a young Kaczynski—have long been the subject of speculation. Crowe's portrayal has been singled out as a highlight, adding a layer of prestige to an otherwise divisive film.
Equally impressive is Jacob Tremblay, who continues to prove why he's one of the most compelling young actors working today. Speaking to Tudum ahead of the release, Tremblay explained his approach to playing such a notorious figure. "I really wanted to make sure I went into this role playing him as a real person," he said. "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." That commitment to humanity shines through, even when the script stumbles.
Why It's Still Dominating
So why does Unabomber keep drawing viewers? Part of it is the enduring fascination with Kaczynski's case—a story that blends genius, isolation, and violence in a way that feels uniquely American. Part of it is Netflix's knack for surfacing content that hooks subscribers scrolling for something dark and bingeable. And part of it is simply the Crowe factor: even in a mixed bag, he's magnetic.
If you're in the mood for more nerve-shredding fare after Unabomber, Netflix has plenty to offer. You might check out our ranking of the most nerve-shredding thrillers since 2020, or revisit a classic like Anya Taylor-Joy's breakout thriller Split. And for those who prefer their true crime with a side of prestige, the streamer's top-rated miniseries are always worth a look.
For now, Unabomber remains a certified Netflix hit, proving once again that subscribers love a controversial, star-driven thriller—even if the critics don't. The film is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
