Netflix’s latest psychological drama, *Unabomber*, starring Russell Crowe and Jacob Tremblay, has debuted to a mostly negative critical response. Directed by Janus Metz, the film explores the formative years of Ted Kaczynski, from his teenage brilliance and abusive psychological experiments at Harvard under Professor Henry Murray (played by Crowe) to his evolution into the notorious domestic terrorist. Shailene Woodley co-stars as the FBI agent spearheading the hunt for Kaczynski. The R-rated movie streams exclusively on Netflix.

Critics have been largely unimpressed, reflected in the film’s 31% “rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 16 reviews, marking it among Russell Crowe’s lowest-rated roles. Reviews describe the movie as a clichéd mix of true-crime and biopic elements, with some labeling it problematic and disjointed. However, a minority of reviewers commend its solid craftsmanship and convincing performances, though these voices remain in the minority.

The story covers critical periods in Kaczynski’s life, beginning with his adolescent psychological trials in 1958 and culminating in the violent bombing spree from 1978 to 1995 that killed three people and injured 23 others. The drama also features performances from Annabelle Wallis, Alexander Ludwig, and Steven Ogg. Despite its star power and gripping material, the critical consensus has not favored *Unabomber* as a worthy addition to the true-crime genre.

For Russell Crowe, this continues a streak of mixed critical receptions, with several other films also receiving “rotten” scores on Rotten Tomatoes in recent years, including *The Exorcism* (27%) and *The Mummy* (15%). The film’s critical rating is subject to updates as more reviews come in, but for now, *Unabomber* has struggled to resonate with critics despite its high-profile cast and intriguing real-life story.