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Nuremberg (2025 film)

Nuremberg is a 2025 American historical drama and psychological thriller written, directed, and co-produced by James Vanderbilt.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nuremberg is a 2025 American historical drama and psychological thriller written, directed, and co-produced by James Vanderbilt. Based on Jack El-Hai’s 2013 book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, it dramatizes U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley’s assessments of Nazi leaders, especially Hermann Göring, before and during the Nuremberg trials.

Premise

The film follows Douglas Kelley as he evaluates captured Nazi leaders after World War II to determine whether they are mentally fit to stand trial at Nuremberg. The story places particular emphasis on Kelley’s psychological relationship with Hermann Göring.

Production

James Vanderbilt wrote and directed the film, adapting Jack El-Hai’s book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist. The project is an American historical drama with psychological thriller elements.

Cast

The principal cast includes Rami Malek as Douglas Kelley and Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring. Supporting roles include Michael Shannon, Leo Woodall, Richard E. Grant, and others.

Release

The film premiered in U.S. theatres on November 7, 2025. Later release listings also note a streaming date of December 23, 2025 and a home-viewing/VOD rollout in 2026.

Key facts

  • The film centers on Douglas Kelley, a U.S. Army psychiatrist tasked with evaluating Nazi defendants for fitness to stand trial.
  • It focuses on Kelley’s interactions with Hermann Göring, portrayed by Russell Crowe.
  • James Vanderbilt wrote, directed, and co-produced the film.
  • The film is based on Jack El-Hai’s nonfiction book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.
  • The film was released theatrically in the United States on November 7, 2025.
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Canadian context

The film is relevant to Canadian readers as a dramatization of the Nuremberg trials, a major Allied war-crimes proceeding that shaped postwar international justice and included Canadian historical interest through the broader Allied effort.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nuremberg (2025 film) about?
It follows a U.S. Army psychiatrist who evaluates Nazi leaders, especially Hermann Göring, before the Nuremberg trials.
Who directed Nuremberg?
James Vanderbilt directed the film and also wrote it.
What book is it based on?
It is based on Jack El-Hai’s 2013 nonfiction book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.
Who plays Hermann Göring?
Russell Crowe plays Hermann Göring.
Who plays Douglas Kelley?
Rami Malek plays Douglas Kelley.
When was the film released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on November 7, 2025.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_(2025_film)
    Supports: Director, writer, basis on Jack El-Hai book, premise, and cast information.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29567915/
    Supports: Release date, premise, and rating/runtime details.
  3. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_(film,_2025)
    Supports: Plot summary and adaptation basis.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nuremberg_2025
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, release date, runtime, and content rating.
  5. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvAy9C-bipY
    Supports: Official trailer information, cast, premise, and release timing.
  6. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfbOmLmLMpU
    Supports: Cast list and plot description from promotional interview/trailer content.