Black Rabbit - (Netflix) 

By: Rachel Brodeur

Netflix’s Black Rabbit combines the ruthless world of organized crime with the perhaps equally intense world of restaurant ownership in this dramatic limited series. 

The show opens with a scene of impending disaster, cutting between shots of New York’s wealthy elite at a trendy after hours party at The Black Rabbit restaurant. Amidst the frivolity and excess,  shadowy masked figures with duffle bags and weapons gather in back stairwells and corridors. The splicing of the simultaneous actions results in a foreboding suspense. The two groups collide and before the encounter fully resolves, the audience is left hanging as the plot is moved to one month earlier. 

The heart of the series is the volatile bond between the two brothers who own the Black Rabbit restaurant. Played by Jude Law (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Closer) and Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Ozark) the characters are layered and flawed, but somehow remain charismatic. Bateman in particular delivers a performance that defies expectations. Known for playing characters that project competence and that people rely on, his portrayal of Vince is a departure. Vince is a degenerate gambler, former, and perhaps current addict, and someone his family cannot trust. Law, on the other hand, plays Jake, the brother who seems like he has his life together. However, Black Rabbit does not rest on the tired trope of mismatched brothers. Both men are responsible for the situations they find themselves in, and both have no issues highlighting the flaws in the other. 

Black Rabbit is moody, dark and covers some triggering subjects, like addiction and sexual assault. Though marketed as a drama, it frequently dips into thriller territory, with moments of dread woven between character-driven tension. The action is only secondary to the strong narrative. What truly distinguishes the series is the way it layers conflict upon conflict. Every choice carries a price, and each consequence ripples outward to entangle the next dilemma. As the stakes escalate, the mystery becomes less about who will survive and more about whether viewers can even decide which outcome they want to see.

Rachel’s Rating: 7.5/10

Netflix’s Black Rabbit is an exciting drama featuring strong performances by Jason Bateman and Jude Law. Its layered storytelling, moral ambiguity, and cascading consequences will keep viewers invested in what lies ahead for both the Black Rabbit restaurant and the organized crime entangling its owners.