Nuremberg Review: Rami Malek And Russell Crowe’s Film Is A Chilling Look Into Humanity’s Most Evil Minds
Nuremberg is a dangerous reminder that the most horrific monster you know is a human being.
4 / 5
The horrors of World War 2 are something that can never be truly forgotten or erased from history. The darkest chapter of humanity, where people were stripped of all dignity while the rest of the world sat back and watched, is one that many films have tried to immortalise. Nuremberg is another addition to the collection, but this film follows what happened after the war ended. Centred around the historic trials of Nuremberg 1945, the film not only shows the aftermath of the Nazi regime’s collapse but also gives you a glimpse into the minds of those who orchestrated a genocide. Directed by James Vanderbilt, featuring Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, and Michael Shannon in lead roles and based on the book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai, here is our review of Nuremberg.
Plot Of Nuremberg
The film opens after the collapse of the Third Reich. Hitler, His propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels, and SS leader Heinrich Himmler are gone, dead by their own hands. But one mastermind survives, and his name is Hermann Göring, Hitler’s political heir and successor, who turns himself in to US troops. Enter Dr Douglas Kelly, a psychologist hired by the Americans to determine whether the arrested Nazi officials are fit to stand for trial and prevent them from killing themselves. However, the relationship between Kelly and Göring turns complicated once the doctor tries to look for the human behind the monster responsible for the death of millions of Jews.
Performances
Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring – Russell Crowe is unquestionably the standout here. His portrayal of Göring, ruthless, manipulative, yet charismatic at times, is chilling. Göring has blood on his hands, and we all know that, but Crowe’s performance almost humanises the Nazi official.
Rami Malek as Dr Douglas Kelly – Rami Malek delivers a gripping performance. Kelley’s conflict, the pull between moral duty and psychological curiosity, anchors the film.
Michael Shannon as prosecutor Robert Jackson is also a delight to watch. Shannon’s determined yet vulnerable portrayal of the character who is hell bent on humiliating the Nazis is spot on. The supporting cast, including Leo Woodall, John Slattery and Mark O’Brein, is also a perfect addition to the story.
Verdict – An Extremely Relevant War Film
Nuremberg drives home one chilling message: no one truly understands the depth of evil a person is capable of. Most of the film revolves around interactions between Hermann Göring and Douglas Kelly. The doctor, fascinated by the mind behind a mass genocide, forms a sort of unconscious camaraderie with the Nazi official in search of finding what psychologically defines evil. The film intercuts this with Robert Jackson’s mounting pressure to deliver justice in what is considered to be the trial of the century.
Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski uses archival-style footage and short black-and-white sequences to remind viewers that nothing shown in this film is fictional. The showdown between Göring and Jackson keeps the viewers on their toes, watching with bated breath the horrors these architects of the Third Reich committed along with their Führer. In fact, footage of the Holocaust that was shown in the actual trial is included, showcasing graphic and gruesome atrocities that can be hard to digest for most viewers. The music paired with Vanderbilt’s direction makes the entire trial a surreal scene to watch. Sharp dialogues, especially the one-liners, bring humour and dread to the screen.
However, the film does have its flaws. Some subplots, like Dr Douglas’ relationship with Göring’s family, feel underdeveloped. The plot point where Kelly messes up after revealing confidential information contradicts his personality and feels like a lazy plot device. This also affects the overall pacing of Nuremberg, making it feel dragged out at times.
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The best part of the entire movie-watching experience was, however, how painfully apt the film’s timing feels to be. As characters vow to prevent history from repeating itself, the ongoing suffering in regions like Gaza forces uncomfortable comparisons. And as the credits for the film roll, one thought lingers in your mind: can evil truly be curbed as long as mankind lives on?
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The film is releasing on November 7 in theatres near you!
First Published: November 02, 2025 5:28 PM
