Black Rabbit

Black Rabbit has received criticism for there not being enough empathy with the central characters. While I would agree with this to a degree, Bateman and Law put in some powerful performances that are worth watching. My wife and I ended the series with a discussion about their relationship, so it must have left some kind of impression on us.

It's another one of those series where you need to work your way through the chaotic first episode before settling into the lives of the characters.

The sibling relationship between Bateman and Law, while not perfect, was convincing enough to be compelling. Bateman in particular was a force of nature. It's one of those shows that might not leave a lasting impression, but is entertaining enough to give it a go.

I enjoyed the watch. It's a story about how family trauma can jack us up for life, with shame morphing to self-sabotage; all wrapped up into a tense crime thriller. I see poor reviews saying "the characters do stupid things that I wouldn't do", well ya ..they are all jacked up & then caught up in keeping it all together, such is what movies are made of.

For me, the characters actions jibe with how early trauma may have impacted them.

They create chaos that reflects their inner turmoil which seeks resolution, one way or another.

The greater ensemble of characters offers up more interesting characters with depth & we are brought into their world - a hot hipster NYC restaurant/bar which the plot line always threatening its demise. NYC is a character along with own diversity of players ie artsy hipsters v. Coney Island thugs.

Maybe we have to have some empathy with unlikable characters to enjoy the series? Maybe we have to be okay with both rooting for a character & subsequently not rooting for them & back again?

Black Rabbit follows two brothers: Jake (Jude Law), who runs a restaurant and tries to keep a steady life, and Vince (Jason Bateman), freshly out of prison and back on the scene. Their reunion doesn't spark redemption but rather chaos, dragging everyone around them into a destructive spiral.

The show presents itself as a slow burner, but patience isn't rewarded. Unlike Ozark, which balanced tension with tight logic, Black Rabbit feels more like a messy patchwork. The narrative jumps between past and present in seemingly random bursts, sometimes to stall, sometimes to fill space, without much payoff. What could have been clever misdirection instead feels like disorientation.

The bigger issue is that many events lack internal logic. Plot turns appear designed less to develop characters and more to stretch the runtime or create the illusion of complexity. It seems the creators placed their bets on unpredictability alone, hoping confusion would equal intrigue. For me, it was more frustrating than engaging.

The cast is solid; Law and Bateman have presence, but even they can't fully disguise the structural emptiness. There are flashes of tension and style, but too often they collapse under scenes that meander without purpose.

In the end, Black Rabbit wants to be a moody, unpredictable character study, but it lands closer to a frustrating puzzle without a satisfying reward. Not terrible, but far from the gripping ride it promises.

Well, what can I say?

Black Rabbit is one of those rare limited series that grips you from the very first scene and refuses to let go. The writing is razor sharp, the pacing is meticulous and the performances are nothing short of magnetic. Jude Law and Jason Bateman bring a gritty depth to their roles, creating a world that feels raw, lived-in and morally complex.

One of the standout touches is the episode introductions, which cleverly pay homage to Ozark. Each episode opens with a sleek, symbolic graphic that foreshadows the themes and events about to unfold. It's subtle yet striking and it adds an extra layer of anticipation before the story even kicks in. For viewers who appreciated Ozark's visual storytelling, this will feel like a respectful nod while still carving out its own identity.

The cinematography leans heavily into shadows and muted palettes, enhancing the tension without ever feeling forced. Meanwhile, the soundtrack complements the mood perfectly, weaving in and out without overshadowing the drama.

Overall, Black Rabbit is dark, deliberate and deeply compelling. It's not just another thriller - it's prestige television done right, with every detail (down to the graphics at the start of each episode) contributing to the atmosphere. If you loved Ozark but want something fresh with its own unique flavour, this is a must-watch.

If you're a film junkie like myself then you'll appreciate the time and effort that Zach Baylin and everyone else put in to make this happen.

I enjoyed it. Not my place to say where it could have been improved. It is what it is.

Thank you.

Black Rabbit is about when an owner of one of the hottest restaurants in New York (Jude Law) lets his troubled brother (Jason Bateman) back around the family business he brings a whole lot of trouble for both him and his brother. So much so that it threatens to bring down the business and endanger their lives. This is a tense crime story with really interesting characters that will hold your attention throughout each episode. I binged all 8 episodes in only two days. I can't say enough about Bateman and Law. They were terrific. I wouldn't be shocked to see them nominated for some awards for this, especially Bateman.