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Rami Malek says he fought to win his part in Nuremberg, a tense new historical drama that reunites him with weighty material and places him opposite Russell Crowe. At a recent Cinema Society screening, the actor described the hunger that drove him to pursue the role, and how the project reawakened the exhilaration of his early career.
How Malek pursued the role with persistence
Malek made clear he didn’t wait for the part to come to him. He pursued auditions and conversations until the role landed in his hands. For him, the process felt familiar.
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He compared the chase to the days when every small job meant everything. That stoking of ambition, he said, reminded him why he chose acting.
What the film depicts: a psychiatrist and a notorious defendant
The movie adapts the 2013 book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist. Malek portrays Douglas Kelley, a U.S. Army psychiatrist assigned to evaluate Hermann Göring.
- Göring, played by Russell Crowe, was a top Nazi official.
- Kelley’s role was to assess Göring’s legal competence to stand trial in Nuremberg.
- The film explores interrogation, ideology, and the human dimensions of justice.
The historical stakes are high: Göring was convicted of crimes including crimes against humanity and later died before his scheduled execution.
Research and preparation for a real-life figure
Malek admitted he began the project without deep knowledge of the full history behind the trials.
Once he read the source material, he saw cinematic potential and was drawn into the ethical and psychological layers of the story.
Methods an actor might use
- Reading contemporary accounts and archival material.
- Studying the legal and medical frameworks of the era.
- Working with directors and co-stars to shape authentic scenes.
Premiere night and industry buzz
The film screened at MoMA, followed by a gathering at The Lobster Club.
Cast and industry figures attended, generating conversation about the film’s tone and performances.
- Co-stars included Michael Shannon and John Slattery.
- Also present were Candice Bergen, John Benjamin Hickey, and Judd Hirsch.
- Executives from Sony Pictures Classics attended the event.
The screening prompted strong reactions from peers and critics alike, with attention on the dynamic between Malek and Crowe.
Why the story matters now
Beyond courtroom drama, the movie probes accountability, memory, and moral consequence. It returns viewers to a pivotal postwar moment.
For Malek, the film rekindled the emotional thrill of performing and reminded him that even small opportunities can feel monumental.
He described the experience as both humbling and revitalizing, saying that it confirmed how powerful storytelling can be when it engages with truth and history.
