# Jacob Tremblay becomes Ted Kaczynski

> The young actor discusses playing the Unabomber in Netflix's new film and how his own childhood informed the role.
- Title: Jacob Tremblay becomes Ted Kaczynski · CBS News | Shortify
- Summary: The young actor discusses playing the Unabomber in Netflix's new film and how his own childhood informed the role. Jacob Tremblay stars in Netflix's…
- Keywords: jacob tremblay, unabomber, netflix, ted kaczynski, acting, russell crowe, harvard, psychological experiments, news, Jacob, Tremblay, becomes
- Source: CBS News — https://cbsnews.com/video/unabomber-star-jacob-tremblay-on-how-he-dove-into-ted-kaczynskis-story
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: jacob tremblay, unabomber, netflix, ted kaczynski, acting, russell crowe, harvard, psychological experiments, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Jacob Tremblay stars in Netflix's Unabomber film, drawing on his experience as a young actor in Hollywood to understand Ted Kaczynski's isolation.