Netflix’s new film Unabomber explores the life of Ted Kaczynski, a Harvard-educated mathematician turned notorious criminal. Over a 17-year bombing spree, Kaczynski killed three and injured 23, leading to an extensive FBI manhunt that concluded with the help of his own family.
The film features Jacob Tremblay as young Kaczynski and Russell Crowe as psychologist Henry Murray, under whose controversial experiments Kaczynski participated. Shailene Woodley plays a fictional FBI agent involved in the manhunt.
Set to premiere Friday, the drama emphasizes that it’s “inspired by true events,” rather than strictly factual.
Who was Ted Kaczynski?
Born on May 22, 1942, in Chicago, Kaczynski was a gifted student who entered Harvard at 16, later obtaining a mathematics doctorate from the University of Michigan. He then became an assistant professor at UC Berkeley. In 1971, he retreated to a remote cabin in Montana, living off the land, which later served as the launch point for his attacks.
What did the Unabomber do?
Kaczynski was responsible for 16 bombings targeting academics and those associated with transportation and technology. His first attack occurred in 1978 and included a 1979 bomb incident on an American Airlines flight that caused an emergency landing. The FBI named the case “Unabomb,” short for university and airline bomber.
What happened to Ted Kaczynski at Harvard?
While at Harvard, Kaczynski took part in high-pressure psychological experiments led by Henry Murray. Although his participation is documented, a direct link between these experiments and his later criminal behavior remains unproven.
What was the Unabomber’s essay?
In 1995, after evading capture for years, Kaczynski demanded the publication of his 35,000-word essay, “Industrial Society and Its Future.” The essay criticized industrialization and technological advancements, with Kaczynski threatening to resume bombings if it wasn’t published. Eventually, it appeared in the Washington Post and New York Times, aiming to elicit tips from the public.
How did Ted Kaczynski’s brother help catch him?
Kaczynski’s brother, David, recognized similarities between the essay and Ted’s past writings, prompting him and his wife to consult a private investigator, whose analysis suggested a strong likelihood they were written by the same person. This led to Kaczynski’s arrest in April 1996 after 17 years on the run.
What happened to Ted Kaczynski after he was caught?
In 1998, Kaczynski pleaded guilty to multiple charges and received four life sentences plus 30 years. He spent over two decades in a federal prison before being relocated to a medical facility, where he died by suicide on June 10, 2023, at the age of 81, due to late-stage rectal cancer.
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