Netflix's new true-crime thriller Unabomber has shot to the top of the streaming platform's most-watched films chart, but viewers are warning others to skip it, branding it an 'absolute waste of time'.
The film is based on the real story of American terrorist Theodore Kaczynski, a lone wolf who carried out a mail bombing campaign that killed three people and injured 23 more between 1978 and 1995. Known as the Unabomber, he was apprehended in 1996 and later pleaded guilty to his crimes, receiving multiple life sentences. He spent over two decades in prison before dying by suicide on June 10, 2023, at the age of 81.
Star-Studded Cast and Plot
Netflix's take on the late criminal's story explores his transformation from a bright Harvard student into the infamous Unabomber. It stars 19-year-old actor Jacob Tremblay as the title character. The main cast also features Oscar winner Russell Crowe, playing a Harvard professor who gets caught in Theodore's orbit, while Shailene Woodley portrays an FBI agent determined to get to the bottom of the Unabomber's crimes.
The film has already climbed to Number 1 on Netflix's most-watched charts after just one day on the streaming platform. But many viewers have urged others to skip the star-studded drama.
Viewer Reactions and Reviews
Writing on Rotten Tomatoes, one disappointed viewer said: "What an absolute waste of time. As far as movies go this had an okay cast. The story was based on real life so interesting I guess as it did happen. It's sad it happened though but it did. I watched it and was expecting more than I receive."
Someone else joined in to add: "A word that comes to mind is HOW. HOW DO THEY GET SO MANY BRILLIANT ACTORS IN 1 MOVIE AND STILL FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THE MOVIE SUCK. I WAS BARLEY ABLE TO FINISH IT. COULD OF USED THESE ACTORS TO MAKE SOMETHING GREAT. LET DOWN."
Another viewer wrote on X: "#unabomber on Netflix is an hour and a half of my life I'm not getting back." At the time of writing, the thriller has a sour 22% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Mixed Defences and Availability
But others have rushed to the movie's defence, with one sharing: "Surprised by the negative reviews. I found the film very well done and with a captivating story, quite well engineered. Acting is brilliant and everything is top notch (costume, music, etc). Great film."
While a second fan added: "I actually loved this. I was just hooked at the very start. And I'm not easily entertained by movies. First of all I loved the switch from the 50s to the 90s it was refreshing."
Unabomber is streaming now on Netflix.
