Jacob Tremblay Takes on Dark Role as Unabomber Ted Kaczynski

Jacob Tremblay, known for his early roles in films like "Room," "Good Boys," and "Wonder," has taken on a challenging new part as Theodore Kaczynski, the domestic terrorist known as the Unabomber, in a gritty new Netflix film. At 19, Tremblay's casting marks a significant transition in his acting career, moving away from child star roles and into more mature and complex characters.

The psychological crime drama "Unabomber" explores Kaczynski's life, from his time as a prodigious Harvard math student to his later years as a fugitive bomber. Tremblay described the role as "pivotal" and "challenging acting-wise," noting that it positions him well as a dramatic actor. The film reportedly delves into Kaczynski's past, including controversial psychological experiments he underwent at Harvard, with Russell Crowe playing a professor involved in these experiments.

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Tremblay, born in Vancouver in 2006, began his acting career at a young age, following in the footsteps of his sisters, Erica and Emma. After appearing in commercials, he made his film debut in "The Smurfs 2" in 2013. His breakout role came at age eight in "Room," where he starred alongside Brie Larson. This performance earned him critical acclaim, including a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer.

Further recognition followed for his roles in "Wonder" (2017) and "Good Boys" (2019). He also had a notable cameo in the horror film "Doctor Sleep" (2019), a sequel to "The Shining." Director Mike Flanagan praised Tremblay's performance in "Doctor Sleep," calling it one of the most difficult scenes he had ever worked on due to the actor's impactful portrayal.

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Beyond dramatic roles, Tremblay has also lent his voice to animated projects, including DC's "Harley Quinn" as Robin and Disney Pixar's "Luca." In 2023, he appeared as Flounder in the live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid," drawing attention for his grown-up appearance.

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Tremblay has credited his grounded nature to his upbringing and the support of his parents, Jason and Christina. He emphasized the importance of trustworthy people in his life and maintaining a normal childhood, spending time with friends and engaging in everyday activities. He likened his experience to "Hannah Montana," balancing a public career with a private life.

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In "Unabomber," Tremblay stars alongside Russell Crowe, who plays the Harvard professor who subjected a young Kaczynski to high-stress psychological experiments. Tremblay expressed his admiration for Crowe, stating that he could channel his real-life respect for the actor into his portrayal of Kaczynski's admiration for the professor. The film also features flashbacks to Kaczynski's time at Harvard and the subsequent manhunt, which became one of the longest and most expensive in FBI history.

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Looking ahead, Tremblay has several upcoming projects, including the stop-motion animated movie "Wildwood," "The Skeleton Tree," and "The Night House," signaling a continued trajectory in his acting career.