Written by: Jay Heilman (10/30/25)
A Phenomenal, Haunting Look at History
James Vanderbilt’s new historical drama, Nuremberg, is a phenomenal piece of filmmaking, anchored by stellar, powerhouse performances from its Academy Award-winning cast. Russell Crowe is terrifyingly magnetic as Hermann Göring, and Rami Malek delivers a sharp, nuanced performance as the U.S. Army psychiatrist tasked with evaluating him. They are matched by Michael Shannon, who brings a profound gravity to his role as chief prosecutor Robert H. Jackson.
What sets this film apart is its commitment to historical fact. Unlike 1961’s acclaimed Judgment at Nuremberg, which was a fictionalized story loosely based on the later “Judges’ Trial,” this film is a gripping drama based on the factual events of the main 1945-46 tribunal. It strips away the fictional composites to focus on the chilling, real-life psychological chess match between Göring and his evaluators.
The film goes to great lengths to ensure the viewer never forgets the unimaginable atrocities committed at the hands of Hitler and his Nazi regime. It never shies away from the horrific reality of what the persecuted Jews of the time went through. This is most evident in the courtroom scenes where actual, devastating footage from the liberated concentration camps is presented. These moments are hard to watch, and the film absolutely earns its PG-13 rating. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
While Nuremberg doesn’t have a faith-based element at the forefront, it powerfully illustrates a moral conclusion: in the end, evil was overcome because a tribunal was established to see that Hermann Göring and his Nazi comrades answered for their crimes. It’s a stark depiction of justice, however imperfect, confronting an evil that thought itself untouchable.
The sheer power of the performances by both Malek and Crowe has me thinking this film will be a major contender at the upcoming 2026 Academy Awards, with nominations for Best Picture and acting seeming all but certain.
In closing, like so many of the most important films that show us the horrors of World War II, Nuremberg serves a vital purpose. It is a haunting, necessary, and brilliant film that ensures we never forget the events of the Holocaust and how its dark history still resonates today.
4.7/5
Released: 11/7/2025 (Theatrically)
Running Time: 148 Minutes (Sony Pictures)
Rated PG-13 for violent content involving the Holocaust, strong disturbing images, suicide, some language, smoking and brief drug content.
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