Table of Contents
Film Overview
Russell Crowe delivers a transformative performance as Nazi leader Hermann Göring in Nuremberg, a historical drama now streaming on Netflix as of March 7, 2026 . Directed by James Vanderbilt (Truth, Zodiac screenwriter), the film chronicles the psychological battle between Göring and the U.S. Army psychiatrist tasked with evaluating his mental fitness to stand trial .
Cast and Characters
The film features an all-star ensemble :
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Russell Crowe | Hermann Göring |
| Rami Malek | Dr. Douglas Kelley (U.S. Army psychiatrist) |
| Michael Shannon | Justice Robert H. Jackson (Chief U.S. Prosecutor) |
| Colin Hanks | Dr. Gustav Gilbert |
| Richard E. Grant | David Maxwell-Fyfe |
| Leo Woodall | Howie Triest |
| John Slattery | Burton C. Andrus |
Crowe’s “Commanding” Performance
Critics and audiences have praised Crowe’s portrayal of the notoriously charismatic and manipulative Nazi leader. The actor reportedly learned his dialogue in German to add chilling authenticity to the interrogation scenes . Michael Shannon, who co-stars, praised Crowe for capturing Göring’s charismatic pull, noting that he made the other actors playing Nazis feel like a cohesive group .
Reviews highlight Crowe’s ability to make Göring “tour à tour séduisant, affable avant de montrer le visage du mal” (alternately seductive and affable before revealing the face of evil) . One German critic described his performance as possessing “Gravitas und kontrollierter Emotionalität” (gravitas and controlled emotionality) .
Critical Reception
Based on True Events
The screenplay, adapted from Jack El-Hai’s 2013 book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, draws directly from actual trial transcripts and incorporates six minutes of real footage from death camps . The story follows Dr. Douglas Kelley (Malek), who was assigned to evaluate Göring and 21 other high-ranking Nazis to determine if they were fit to stand trial before the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg .
Box Office and Streaming Success
Made on a modest budget of under $10 million, Nuremberg has grossed over $50 million worldwide . Following its theatrical run, the film has become a streaming sensation, ranking highly on platforms like Apple TV and Amazon before its Netflix debut .
🇩🇪 German Release
German audiences can see Nuremberg in theaters starting May 7, 2026, timed to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II . Despite its title and subject matter, the film was shot primarily in Hungary rather than the actual historic locations in Nuremberg .
