Netflix releases Unabomber film

Jacob Tremblay stars in Netflix's new film Unabomber, which premiered on Friday, September twenty-fifth. The young actor plays a young Ted Kaczynski in the production.

Tremblay knew little about Kaczynski

Before joining the project, Tremblay knew very briefly about Ted Kaczynski and who he was and what he had done. He had to research extensively to understand the role.

Research focused on Kaczynski's motives

Tremblay's preparation mainly involved understanding Kaczynski's motives and what drove him to do what he did. This research was central to playing the character authentically.

Working with Russell Crowe

Tremblay worked opposite Russell Crowe in the film. He admired Crowe as a young actor growing up and felt he learned so much just from watching him work on set.

“he just looks so powerful. He's just amazing.”

Harvard psychological experiments

The film depicts psychological experiments that Ted Kaczynski underwent at Harvard. Most people did not know Kaczynski went to Harvard at sixteen because he was really good at math.

Tremblay requested physical restraint

In a disturbing scene, Tremblay asked to be physically tied in a chair to experience the psychological experiments depicted in the film. This commitment to authenticity shaped his performance.

Relating to isolation through experience

Tremblay related to feeling like the youngest person in the room. Being a child actor in an adult world in Hollywood informed how he saw Kaczynski's character and his negative experiences.

Keeping perspective on the role

Tremblay kept in mind that while his own experiences as a young actor were great, the film shows how negative Ted Kaczynski's experiences were. This contrast shaped his portrayal.

Decompressing from dark material

Tremblay explained how he decompresses after playing complex, dark characters. Since Room, which he did at a young age, he has been good at hitting the switch to turn it off.

His process for leaving the character

Tremblay goes home, takes a shower, and washes it off a little bit, then is ready to get back at it the next day. He worked with a wonderful crew on the film.

Filming in Montreal

The production filmed in Montreal. Tremblay worked with fellow French Canadians on set, which made it a great environment to work in despite the very dark subject matter.

From child star to young adult

Tremblay was eight or nine years old when he did Room. He is now nineteen years old and will turn twenty on October fifth. His career has spanned a decade of growth.

Balancing work and childhood

Tremblay says his life has been really nice and he has managed to hit a really good balance between work and just like a good childhood. He attended public school throughout his career.

Acting and public school together

Tremblay was able to go to a public school pretty much his entire school career while acting. He is very grateful for the Canadian school system for accommodating his busy schedule.

School accommodations for his career

The Canadian school system organized Tremblay's schoolwork so that tutors on set could help him during long periods away. This support allowed him to maintain his education while working.

Star Wars and lightsaber duels

When asked what drew him to Star Wars, Tremblay said he just loved the lightsaber duels, honestly. Since he was a kid, he would get toy lightsabers and play with them.

“I just loved the lightsaber duels, honestly.”

Unabomber now streaming

Viewers can watch Unabomber on Netflix starting Friday, September twenty-fifth. Jacob Tremblay's performance as young Ted Kaczynski is now available for audiences to see.