Jude Law and Jason Bateman Star in Gritty Drama ‘Black Rabbit’

NEW YORK, NY – Actors Jude Law and Jason Bateman star in a new limited series called ‘Black Rabbit,’ which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7. The show, set to release all eight episodes on Netflix on September 18, tells the story of two working-class brothers drawn into danger by their pasts.

Law plays Jake Friedkin, a brother trying to manage his struggling restaurant, the Black Rabbit, while Bateman portrays Vince Friedkin, whose chaotic life threatens their business. The brothers, once part of a rock band, are now navigating the challenges of running a trendy NYC nightclub while dealing with family secrets and external threats.

As the plot begins, Jake celebrates the bar’s success with a high-end jewelry event. However, their joy is short-lived when armed robbers interrupt the festivities. This moment propels the narrative backwards in time to a month earlier, where Vince, hiding out in Reno, reaches out to Jake amidst his crisis.

The emotional weight of the brothers’ relationship is central to the story. Jake, burdened by responsibilities, is often forced to save Vince from his own mistakes. The show explores themes of loyalty and the impact of family instability against the backdrop of New York‘s nightlife. Critics, however, have noted that the characters lack depth, making it difficult for viewers to empathize with them.

Bateman directed the first two episodes of the series, which has been described as dark and relentless. Despite the talented ensemble cast, including Abbey Lee and Sope Dirisu, early reviews suggest that the storytelling falls flat, focusing too heavily on misery without providing sufficient character development.

Overall, ‘Black Rabbit’ aims to blend the grit of family drama with the allure of nightlife but faces challenges in delivering a compelling narrative.