Shailene Woodley has never been one to shy away from a challenge. From her breakout role in The Secret Life of the American Teenager to her Emmy-winning turn in Big Little Lies, she's consistently chosen projects that push her creatively. Her latest film, Unabomber, is no exception. In it, she plays Joanne, a fictional FBI linguist who plays a pivotal role in the manhunt for Ted Kaczynski, the domestic terrorist known as the Unabomber.
The film, now streaming on Netflix, weaves together two timelines: Kaczynski's formative years at Harvard in the late 1950s and the intense investigation that led to his arrest in 1996. Woodley's character is a breath of fresh air in a genre often populated by stereotypical FBI agents. Instead of relying on brawn or typical procedural tactics, Joanne uses her expertise in linguistics to analyze Kaczynski's manifesto and ultimately pinpoint his identity.
A Different Kind of FBI Agent
In an exclusive interview with Collider, Woodley explained what drew her to the role. "I loved that aspect of her, too, because it is unexpected," she said. "Linguistics, that's her background, but I also found it really interesting that she leaned so much on her instinct." Joanne's gut feelings often fall on deaf ears, and she's even told she's wrong. "I can't imagine what it must feel like... the frustration of going, 'I have the physical proof from my expertise... and you don't care because it looks different than what you think it should look like.'"
That sense of isolation and determination is central to Joanne's arc. Woodley relished the opportunity to portray a woman who is brilliant but underestimated, a theme that resonates in many workplaces, not just the FBI.
Reading the Manifesto and Trusting the Script
To prepare, Woodley did read Kaczynski's manifesto, but she's quick to note that the script was her primary guide. "For me, the script is the bible," she stated. "While I did read the manifesto, the thing that I tried to focus on the most as Joanne was the excerpts from the manifesto that were in the screenplay." She credits director Janus Metz Pedersen for carefully selecting the passages that would be crucial to Joanne's investigative work. "Those specific sentences, those specific idioms... translated to Joanne ultimately being able to find Ted."
Woodley's approach highlights her respect for the collaborative process. She understands that the film is a crafted narrative, not a documentary, and she trusted the filmmakers to distill the essence of the linguistic analysis into a compelling on-screen journey.
Building a Life Off-Screen
Even though Joanne's personal life isn't explored in depth, Woodley still created a rich backstory for her. "The thing that always interests me in films is when you don't get to see someone's background," she explained. "Does this person have friends? What food does she eat? Is she microwaving Hot Pockets, or is she going home and cooking because it's her way of decompressing?"
She imagined Joanne as a steady, detail-oriented person—the kind of kid who would read the back of a cereal box and notice things others would miss. "That's a type of personality that I personally am not and have zero connection to as Shailene," she admitted with a laugh. "Part of what we do is really leaning into make-believe and imagination, and creating a whole person, even though what people get to see in the film is just snippets of a human being."
That level of commitment is why Woodley's performances always feel authentic, even when she's playing someone far removed from her own experience.
The Moral Dilemma at the Heart of the Manhunt
One of the film's most tense moments comes when Joanne must decide whether to leak the fact that Kaczynski's brother, David, turned him in. The choice could save lives but also destroy a family. Woodley described the scene as a turning point for her character. "This isn't about me, and this isn't about us," she said, quoting Joanne's mindset. The flicker of guilt on her face speaks volumes about the human cost of justice.
Woodley's portrayal of Joanne adds a layer of moral complexity to a story that could have been a straightforward procedural. Instead, Unabomber becomes a meditation on obsession, sacrifice, and the price of catching a killer.
With her Emmy win for Paradise and now this powerful turn in Unabomber, Woodley continues to prove she's one of the most versatile actors of her generation. Whether she's navigating the treacherous waters of Monterey or decoding a terrorist's syntax, she brings an unwavering commitment to every role.
Unabomber is now streaming on Netflix.
