Coming Soon: Nuremberg (2025) by James Vanderbilt: A Psychological Chess Match After the War

About & The Nazi and The Psychiatrist

This historical drama, directed by James Vanderbilt, is based on the 2013 book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai. The film centers on the unique relationship between American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley and the infamous Nazi leader Hermann Göring during the Nuremberg trials. The movie explores the psychological battle of wits as Kelley attempts to understand the mind of one of history's most notorious war criminals, while Göring tries to manipulate his way out of justice.

Why to watch this movie: A Gripping Historical Drama

• A Unique Perspective on a Historic Event: Rather than a typical courtroom drama, the film focuses on the one-on-one psychological duel between a psychiatrist and a war criminal. This offers a different and more intimate look at the Nuremberg trials.

• Stellar Cast and Performances: The movie features two Academy Award winners, Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, in the lead roles of Göring and Kelley, respectively. The performances are touted as being a highlight, with Crowe, in particular, being praised for his portrayal of the charismatic yet menacing Göring.

• Timely and Relevant Themes: The movie touches on themes of evil, justice, and the nature of fascism, which critics note are particularly relevant in today's political climate.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29567915/

About movie: https://www.sonyclassics.com/film/nuremberg/

Release dates:

Theatrical Release: November 7, 2025. Release date on streaming: To be announced.

What iTrend is followed?: The Rise of Historical Psychological Thrillers

• Focus on the Psyche: The movie is part of a growing trend of historical films that move beyond simple retelling of events to delve into the psychological motivations of the people involved. It's less about the grand scale of the war and more about the minds that shaped it.

• True-Story Adaptations: The film is based on a non-fiction book, continuing the popular trend of adapting real-life events and stories for the screen, often with a focus on a lesser-known aspect of a major event.

Director's Vision: The Spectacle of Justice

• Focus on Showmanship: Director James Vanderbilt approaches the Nuremberg trials as a form of "political theatre," emphasizing the spectacle of the event. He uses the characters' narcissism and showmanship to drive the narrative.

• Old-Fashioned Entertainment Style: The movie is described as having an old-fashioned feel, with slick dialogue and "snappy barbs," giving it the feel of a classic Hollywood courtroom drama.

Themes: The Nature of Evil and Justice

• Can Evil Be Defined? The central question of the film is whether evil can be psychologically defined and understood, as psychiatrist Douglas Kelley attempts to do with Hermann Göring.

• The Fragile Boundary Between Justice and Vengeance: The movie explores the complex line between seeking justice for atrocities and giving in to the desire for vengeance against the perpetrators.

• The Seduction of Fascism: Through Göring's character, the movie delves into the seductive and manipulative nature of fascism, showing how a charismatic leader can rally a nation.

Key Success Factors: Powerhouse Acting and a Gripping Premise

• The Central Duel: The "cat-and-mouse" game between Russell Crowe and Rami Malek is the film's strongest point. Their back-and-forth dialogue and psychological struggle are what critics say make the film so watchable.

• The Realism of the Holocaust Footage: The movie's inclusion of actual archival footage from the concentration camps is described as a powerful and chilling moment that provides a much-needed jolt of reality and gravitas to the otherwise polished film.

Awards and Nominations: A Potential Awards Contender

The movie is scheduled for a November release, which positions it well for the awards season. With a cast of Oscar winners and nominees, it is being considered a strong contender for various awards, especially for the acting and screenplay categories.

Critics Reception: Watchable, Yet Undercooked

• The Guardian: The review calls the movie "swish yet glib," noting that while Crowe and Malek are "hugely watchable," the film ultimately fails to deliver an "authentic version of events." It critiques the film for being "seductive" with spectacle but failing to capture the true gravity of the situation.

• The Playlist: This review is more critical, stating that the film "falls flat" and feels "too old school." It praises a few genuine moments but ultimately finds the dialogue to be "caricature" and the overall aesthetic "unappealing," arguing that the film is more concerned with entertaining than with the importance of its subject matter.

• Screen Daily: The review calls the movie "earnest" but "stodgy," noting that its "troubling timeliness is undone by a stodgy approach." It praises the performance of Michael Shannon but finds the central duel between Malek and Crowe to be "fairly underwhelming" at times.

Overall Summary: The film's reception is mixed. Critics agree that the performances, particularly Russell Crowe's, are a major highlight. However, many feel that the movie's polished, "old-fashioned" style and focus on spectacle detract from the historical importance and gravity of the subject. The film is described as "watchable" but not a "major awards contender."

Reviews: A Mixed Bag of Opinions

• Reddit (r/oscarrace): User comments on this thread are varied. Some people who have seen the film at the Toronto International Film Festival loved it, with one user saying, "Absolutely loved it! Lots of tears and laughter... amazing performance." Others are more measured, with one user giving it a 3/5, stating it had "nice scenes and moving moments but no killer scenes." The consensus seems to be that the film might appeal more to older audiences.

• Various Social Media Comments: Comments gathered from different social media platforms show a divide. Some are excited for the film, praising the cast and the intriguing premise, while others are skeptical, calling the teaser "hammy" and "Oscar bait." The general sentiment is that while the film has potential, there is some concern it may be too "old-fashioned" or "dramatic" for younger viewers.

Overall Summary: The public reviews are more positive than the critics', with many people excited about the star power and the unique story. However, there is a clear divide in opinion, with some finding it to be a compelling drama while others worry it will be too generic or "stodgy."

What Movie Trend film is following: The Historical Drama Revival

The film follows the trend of high-budget historical dramas that focus on significant moments in the past. This trend often sees films released late in the year to position them for awards season, and they often feature a prestigious, all-star cast to draw in audiences.

What Big Social Trend is following: The Re-examination of History

The movie capitalizes on a social trend of re-examining and re-contextualizing historical events, especially those related to World War II and fascism. The film's emphasis on the psychological underpinnings of evil and its relevance to modern politics taps into a current societal interest in understanding how such atrocities could occur and how they might be prevented in the future.

Final Verdict: A Watchable but Flawed Historical Drama

Nuremberg is a film that offers a captivating, albeit polished, look at a pivotal moment in history. While it may not be a flawless masterpiece, its strengths lie in the powerful performances of Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, and the fascinating, tense psychological game at its core. It's a film that will likely appeal to fans of classic courtroom dramas and historical fiction, but it may not fully satisfy those looking for a gritty, unvarnished portrayal of the events.

The video is relevant to the user's request because it is the official teaser for the movie, providing a visual and auditory summary of its tone and content.