When “Nuremberg,” starring Russell Crowe as Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, it met a lukewarm response from critics.
The film initially received a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score hovering around 40 to 45 percent, marking it as “Rotten” by the site’s standards.
This tepid reception stemmed largely from critiques of inconsistent tone and storytelling, with some reviewers describing the movie as unclear in its messaging and pacing. For example, a ScreenRant review rated it low, highlighting a lost tone and narrative challenges.
Yet, unlike typical new releases that often experience their scores dropping as harsher reviews accumulate, “Nuremberg” did the opposite. Over the following weeks, the Rotten Tomatoes score climbed dramatically to its current rating of 67 percent, an increase of more than 20 points.
Such an upward movement is almost unprecedented and suggests increasing appreciation for the film’s merits. Many new critics praised the outstanding performances, particularly Crowe’s embodiment of Göring, and the gripping depiction of the psychological warfare within the trials.
The film’s rising score signals a shift in critical consensus that may position it more favorably for audiences and awards consideration. This phenomenon was covered extensively by outlets such as Collider and FandomWire, which emphasized the rarity and significance of the trend.
Courtroom Drama Highlights War Crime Trials and Moral Complexities
“Nuremberg” centers on the intense psychological interrogation conducted by American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley, portrayed by Rami Malek, alongside Crowe’s portrayal of Göring facing judgment for his war crimes.
The story focuses on the intricate mental battle between interrogator and defendant as Kelley assesses the Nazis’ mental fitness for trial, weaving in perspectives on justice, morality, and the legacy of evil.
Critically, the movie explores the tension between legal formalities and the humanity of those caught in history’s darkest chapters.
Several reviews, including those from The Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap, noted the film’s weighty atmosphere and important themes, complimenting the compelling ensemble cast, with Michael Shannon also highlighted.
Viewers and critics alike have remarked on its powerful score and the palpable tension that fills the courtroom scenes.
Nuremberg (Credit: Sony Pictures Classics)
Despite some critiques regarding historical focus and casting choices, such as the lack of German actors for German roles, crowd reactions at screenings were notably engaged, underscoring the film’s emotional impact.
As the film approaches its scheduled November 7 theatrical release, anticipation builds not just for its commercial performance but for potential recognition in the awards season.
Industry insiders point to the film’s critical turnaround, asserting that climbing above the 60 percent mark solidifies it as a contender, raising Crowe’s chances for Best Lead Actor nominations and generating more Oscar chatter.
Oscar Buzz Intensifies with Rising Critical Favor and Strategic Releases
Sony Pictures appears to be positioning “Nuremberg” carefully for awards consideration, treating the film as a serious contender. The studio reportedly plans to campaign aggressively for Russell Crowe’s performance and Rami Malek’s role in the supporting cast.
The improved critical reception helps in this endeavor, as Academy voters often consider the wider field of reviews before endorsing films. The shift closer to a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a milestone the movie edges nearer to with each new positive review, further benefits the campaign.
Beyond the awards implications, the film’s release in major international markets, including India, a key territory for Hollywood prestige releases, is seen as an important factor in boosting box office returns and critical momentum.
“Nuremberg” represents a distinctive blend of historical drama with psychological thriller elements, a combination that has gained traction in recent years among cinephiles and industry observers.
Such momentum after an initially disappointing start is uncommon but not without precedent. It highlights how complex films directed at mature, thoughtful audiences can find their footing over time rather than immediately dominating early reviews.
The emerging reputation of “Nuremberg” suggests it may stimulate renewed interest in WWII narratives that confront uncomfortable truths with nuance and strong performances.
References and further reading for this evolving cinematic story include review compilations from Rotten Tomatoes, news and analysis articles from Collider and ScreenRant, and festival coverage from reputable film news sources like The Hollywood Reporter and FandomWire, all confirming the film’s unique journey on the critical spectrum and the factors driving its newfound acclaim.
This transformation from a shaky start to growing admiration makes Russell Crowe’s “Nuremberg” worth watching for audiences interested in history, legal drama, and award-worthy performances.
For decades, the Man of Steel was rarely more than a summer blockbuster spectacle. But in 2025, Superman is viewed through a different lens.
With James Gunn behind the camera and David Corenswet donning the cape, Warner Bros. is mounting a substantial Oscars campaign aiming for recognition that has eluded the franchise since 1979.
Submissions cover an ambitious 16 Academy Award categories, including the industry’s most coveted honors: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, among them.
No other superhero franchise outside of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy has taken such an aggressive shot at broader Oscar glory in recent years. The studio’s campaign isn’t limited to technical fields. Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, and Isabela Merced are all being considered in major acting categories.
Even Best Original Song and Best Score are on the table, with well-coordinated screenings lined up for Academy voters across Los Angeles and New York through the end of the year.
The story at the campaign’s heart, Superman’s struggle to reconcile his alien heritage with his Kansas upbringing, channels themes of optimism and idealism over grim darkness.
Critics and fans alike note this tonal shift as a return to the hero’s roots, eschewing the self-serious approaches of recent years in favor of warmth and hope. In a climate where many superhero films are written off during awards season, Gunn’s approach is a deliberate bid to prove the genre’s storytelling depth and versatility.
A Divided Audience: Can Sincerity and Brightness Win Over the Academy?
Amid high expectations, Superman’s Oscar push is sparking wide-ranging industry debate. Some fans have hailed James Gunn’s vision as precisely what the DC Universe needed: a break from the cynical, gritty tone that dominated previous iterations.
The film opened to strong audience reaction, debuting with a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and eliciting praise for Corenswet’s nuanced portrayal and Brosnahan’s dynamic Lois Lane.
Many reviews and social media discussions emphasize that Gunn’s Superman feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern, offering a much-needed counterpoint to recent superhero sagas.
However, not all critics are convinced. A vocal minority has dismissed the film as a “painfully mediocre mess,” arguing that it fails to break genuinely new ground or reach the emotional heights of earlier classics.
Detractors suggest that the lightness, while welcome, sometimes veers into the simplistic and that the supporting cast’s performances often overshadow Corenswet’s relatively understated Superman.
Superman (Credit: DC)
There is added skepticism about Oscar’s potential. The genre’s notorious difficulty in winning major Academy Awards (except in technical categories) remains a formidable barrier, even with Warner Bros. investing in high-profile promotional efforts.
Only a few superhero films, notably “Black Panther” and “The Dark Knight,” have made serious inroads in the Best Picture or acting fields. Whether Gunn’s film will genuinely make the jump beyond nominations is a question that lingers among both voters and longtime fans.
The Stakes for Warner Bros., DC, and the Superhero Genre at Large
Superman’s 2025 awards journey is about more than one film. Warner Bros. has tied the movie’s fate to the future of the DC Universe, using the campaign as a barometer for what audiences and critics want from next-generation superhero stories.
Early reception suggests that the gamble on brighter, character-driven storytelling could restore mainstream credibility to a brand battered by years of uneven critical and financial results.
Should the film secure Oscar nominations or, in a best-case scenario, win, it would mark a generational watershed. Superman has not been in serious Academy contention since the Richard Donner-directed classic earned technical recognition in the late ‘70s.
Beyond the DC brand, a victory would strengthen the case that superhero cinema can explore emotion and complexity beyond special effects, potentially reshaping how future blockbusters are funded and evaluated.
Regardless of outcome, James Gunn’s Superman is set to redefine the standards by which these larger-than-life stories are judged on Hollywood’s biggest stage. For now, the flight to Oscar’s history remains up in the air, but one thing is clear: a new era for the world’s most enduring superhero is well underway.
