Nuremberg, the historical drama written and directed by James Vanderbilt, will air on Canal+ on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 9:10 p.m.. Released in French theaters on January 28, 2026, the film reunites Rami Malek, Russell Crowe and Michael Shannon to trace the prosecution of the top Nazi leaders after World War II.
Inspired by the documentary book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai, the story follows Douglas Kelley, an American psychiatrist tasked with assessing the mental fitness of imprisoned Nazi dignitaries ahead of their trial. His meetings with Hermann Göring, a central figure of the regime, gradually unfold into a psychological duel.
Portrayed by Rami Malek, Kelley investigates whether the defendants are fit to stand trial. Facing him, Russell Crowe delivers a portrayal of a manipulative, charismatic Göring who is fully aware of the political stakes of the case. Michael Shannon embodies prosecutor Robert H. Jackson. Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Richard E. Grant and Colin Hanks round out the cast.
Presented at the Toronto International Film Festival and later in competition at the San Sebastián Festival, Nuremberg looks back at a defining moment in international law. The film pits the courtroom proceedings against a more intimate question: do mass‑crime perpetrators stem from a particular pathology, or are they ordinary people capable of participating in horror?
Our take on Nuremberg:
Nuremberg dives into a pivotal moment of the 20th century, when the world, still stunned by the scale of Nazi crimes, struggles to confront the unthinkable. Instead of offering a comprehensive re-enactment of the trial, the film takes a more focused, almost vertiginous approach: honing in on the psychological profile of the accused, especially Hermann Göring.
Viewed through this lens, the story examines less the judicial process itself than the darker aspects of human nature, raising a chilling question: are these men fundamentally different from us, or disturbingly similar? The film maintains a traditional yet never static tone, balancing courtroom scenes, tense confrontations, and quieter, introspective moments—paced with a craftsmanship that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish.
Most importantly, it leverages its immediate historical setting — the post-war trial, at a time when the world was just beginning to grasp the existence of concentration and extermination camps — to evoke a moral urgency: justice is served while understanding is still in its infancy, unfolding amidst shock and disbelief.
The historical reconstruction meets its high stakes, detailed without showiness, credible in its sets, costumes, and protocol, and sufficiently immersive so that the period feels less like a museum than an open wound. Visually, Nuremberg stands out thanks to high-quality cinematography and lighting work: dark, crafted interiors that carve out facial features and create a chiaroscuro ambiance, where truth never appears without struggle — all in elegant restraint, avoiding gimmicks.
But it’s ultimately the actors who give the film its emotional power. Russell Crowe delivers a commanding, unsettling Hermann Göring, capable of shifting from calculated charm to symbolic violence that fills the frame; some might call his portrayal “over the top,” yet the excess itself reveals the monstrous ordinariness — the ability to dominate space, to fascinate, manipulate, and narrate oneself.
Opposite him, Rami Malek crafts a more inward, observant psychiatrist, caught between his role and the disturbing truths he uncovers: a man seeking signs of deviation, inhumanity, or incapacity, who must ultimately confront a deeply unsettling conclusion. The film’s core thesis transcends the historical thriller genre: it’s less about understanding “why” and more about exploring “how”: how seemingly rational, socially integrated individuals can descend into horror — and how the comforting notion of radical difference crumbles.
Nuremberg mainly appeals to viewers interested in historical dramas and demanding courtroom narratives that favor moral reflection over high-octane action. Those who appreciate dialogue-driven films, intellectual debates, and philosophical questions surrounding justice, responsibility, and memory will find a dense, serious, and thought-provoking work here. The film asks for attentive listening and intellectual openness, rewarding that effort with profound insights.
Conversely, audiences seeking a didactic, exhaustive, or tension-driven courtroom movie may find the film more distant. Nuremberg shuns spectacle and simplification, deliberately sidestepping some of the historical complexity to offer a sharper, more introspective perspective. It’s better suited for an adult audience, curious and open to a more contemplative rather than demonstrative approach.
While some critics may see it as overly simplified or too conventional, Nuremberg compensates through its strong performances, formal discipline, and its ability to transform a historical chapter into a captivating, necessary cinematic experience that reflects without sermonizing. It leaves viewers shaken — not because it claims to tell everything, but because it dares to confront the most uncomfortable idea: nothing fundamentally sets these men apart from others, and that’s precisely why vigilance must remain forceful and constant.
To go further, also discover our selection of films, series and shows to watch on TV this week, our guide to releases across all platforms, and today’s pick Que voir aujourd’hui en streaming.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
