Since 1971, mathematical genius Ted Kaczynski has chosen a life of seclusion in a basic cabin near Lincoln, Montana, where he relies on his own skills to hunt for food and live without modern conveniences like electricity and running water. He is vehemently convinced that the advancements in technology are wreaking havoc on the planet.
As he observes the destruction of the beautiful wilderness that surrounds him, Kaczynski reaches the conclusion that living harmoniously with nature is becoming an impossibility. In a desperate attempt to find answers, he visits the local library and discovers the address of Percy Wood, the president of United Airlines. In his rage, he resorts to vandalism by damaging a neighbor's snowmobile, sabotaging power lines, and destroying nearby construction equipment. His frustration escalates with the drone of jets flying overhead, ultimately pushing him to a breaking point.
To combat what he perceives as the encroachment of civilization, Kaczynski devises a chilling plan for vengeance. He starts mailing bombs to influential figures he believes are contributing to societal harm. His actions gain national attention when one of his bombs injures Wood while he is at home, prompting the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In an effort to evade capture, Kaczynski alters his appearance by shaving off his beard and infamously injuring himself by slamming his nose against a cinder block. Tragically, the first fatality from his deadly campaign is Hugh Scrutton, the owner of a computer store.
As time passes, specifically eighteen months later, Kaczynski finds himself in dire financial straits and ends up arguing with his brother David over the phone. In a fit of creativity and rage, he pens a lengthy 35,000-word manifesto, using the collective pronoun "we" as he addresses the local newspapers about his bombings. This leads to him being dubbed the “Unabomber” by the media. In a strategic move, he sends a letter to The New York Times and The Washington Post, promising to cease his attacks if they agree to publish his manifesto. The Washington Post obliges on September 19, 1995.
In a pivotal moment, David, recognizing the distinctive writing style in the manifesto as his brother’s own, reports his suspicions to the authorities. This crucial tip leads to Kaczynski’s arrest in 1996. Ultimately, he receives a life sentence in a supermax prison located in Florence, Colorado, for the tragic loss of three lives and injuries to twenty-three others. An epilogue highlights the manhunt for Kaczynski as the most extensive in the history of the FBI, leaving a lasting mark on the narrative of crime and justice in America.
