Even with a four-films-a-day grind, there’s always a few titles that slip through the cracks. At TIFF, with more than 200 films packed into the lineup, it’s inevitable.
This year, that movie for me might be James Vanderbilt’s “Nuremberg,” which played like gangbusters last night — I wasn’t there. Truth be told, only three reviews have been printed, so far, two are highly positive (Deadline,THR) and one’s mixed (Variety).
Whether it builds further momentum remains to be seen, but “Nuremberg” is already generating chatter on the ground. Its next screening isn’t until the 14th, yet last night’s premiere drew a rare four-minute standing ovation — no small feat at TIFF, where audiences are warm but not typically that demonstrative.
“Nuremberg,” written and directed by James Vanderbilt, stars Russell Crowe as Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring. It was recently acquired by Sony Pictures Classics and set up a November 7, 2025 release date. It is quietly positioning itself as a awards-season contender—and maybe even the comeback vehicle Crowe desperately needed.
The film, which was written and directed by Vanderbilt, is based on Jack El-Hai’s book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.” It stars stars Crowe and Rami Malek, Michael Shannon, John Slattery and Richard E. Grant.
Set after World War II, Nuremberg follows American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) as he assesses the mental fitness of Nazi war criminals. His focus turns to a tense psychological battle with Göring (Crowe), Hitler’s ruthless second-in-command.
Best known for scripting “Zodiac” (2007), Vanderbilt has had a curious Hollywood run. He’s proven he can swing between prestige fare and big studio IP —delivering razor-sharp procedural tension in Zodiac, and more recently, and revitalizing the ‘Scream’ franchise.
“Nuremberg” marks Vanderbilt’s second feature as director, after 2015’s underrated “Truth,” an entertaining Robert Redford/Cate Blanchett newsroom drama.