“Black Rabbit” is a show I’ve had my eye on ever since Netflix dropped the first look back in June. Then we got the first trailer a few weeks later, and my hopes shot even higher after seeing how much emotion it managed to stir in just two minutes of footage. The chaotic energy of the trailer was even amplified by its alternative indie soundtrack, a track so good I instantly hunted it down on Spotify.
So it’s safe to say my expectations were pretty high. Now that “Black Rabbit” has landed on Netflix, and after watching the first two episodes, I can confidently say it’s a pretty intense watch. Right away, I got major “The Bear” vibes from the chaotic restaurant montages, mixed with the darkness of “Ozark” and even hints of “Succession” in the way it handles money and power.
Set in the heart of New York, “Black Rabbit” stars Jude Law and Jason Bateman as estranged brothers pulled back together under tense and dangerous circumstances. Their reunion reignites old conflicts while new threats emerge, forcing them to confront risks that could unravel their lives and everything they’ve worked for. Together, they form a strong duo that makes watching the show a real pleasure.
Based on what I’ve seen so far, this show is shaping up to be something special. If you’re in the mood for a moody, smart, and gripping story, here’s why you need to add “Black Rabbit” to your watchlist now that it’s streaming on Netflix.
What is ‘Black Rabbit’ about?
Jake Friedkin (Jude Law) is the driven and polished owner of Black Rabbit, a trendy restaurant & VIP lounge in New York that’s on the brink of major success.
Suddenly, his older brother Vince (Jason Bateman) shows up, chaotic and troubled, carrying large debts and dangerous threats. Vince’s return pulls Jake into a dangerous struggle as old wounds resurface and their restaurant is threatened by forces beyond their control.
The series tracks how the brothers try to protect what they’ve built, even as their personal faults, rivalries, and unexpected enemies make keeping it all together increasingly difficult.
Should you stream ‘Black Rabbit’ on Netflix?
“Black Rabbit” is a slow-burning thriller for sure, but that works in the show’s favor. While some viewers may prefer getting into the thick of the story in the first episode, you won’t really find that here, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of your attention.
Part character drama, part crime thriller, and part psychological study, “Black Rabbit” opens with Jude Law’s character, Jake, taking a breather in the restroom before stepping into his bustling restaurant and engaging with the many faces who work there. Shots of chefs in the kitchen, bartending, and lively patrons will feel familiar to anyone who loves “The Bear,” and it’s clear the show draws inspiration from it. But it isn’t long before the tension spikes: two masked intruders storm the restaurant and demand ransom.
A flashback to a month earlier shows that each episode will reveal the brothers’ story, tracing the decisions and events that lead to that climactic moment. In fact, Bateman’s introduction as Vince is pretty savage, as he immediately encounters trouble with two unsuspecting thieves planning to steal his collection of vintage coins. You can already sense the stark difference between him and Jake.
The brothers’ relationship is very much the pulsating heart of the series, generating friction and emotional pain for themselves and those around them.
The brothers’ relationship is very much the pulsating heart of the series, generating friction and emotional pain for themselves and those around them. By revealing key moments from their past (including their days before opening a restaurant) the show helps us understand the ties that keep them connected from the start.
We do see other characters who play a big role in the restaurant’s success, like talented chef Roxie (Amaka Okafor) and interior designer Estelle (Cleopatra Coleman), but in the first two episodes, they come across more as part of the family than as fully developed individuals with their own backstories. Still, witnessing this family dynamic makes the robbery more impactful.
For the most part, “Black Rabbit” is an engaging watch (so far) centered on familial bonds and loyalty. With competing motives, shifting dynamics, and constant tension, the story definitely demands close attention. The use of multiple timelines adds another layer, turning the series into a complex puzzle that requires some piecing together from the first episode.
And if you weren’t aware, “Black Rabbit” benefits from a range of talented directors, including Bateman himself, Laura Linney, Ben Semanoff, and Justin Kurzel. I’m curious to see how the remaining episodes will look and feel compared to the first two, which Bateman directed (clearly proving his skill, as seen in his previous work on “The Outsider.”)
If you need more reasons to watch “Black Rabbit,” the online reviews sound pretty positive. The show currently has a solid score of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes (but keep in mind that’s from 16 reviews so far).
Judy Berman from Time Magazine said: “Black Rabbit is worth watching for its stylish direction, propulsive pace that mitigates some of the narrative wheel-spinning, and most of all Law and Bateman’s brilliantly cast brother act.” Screen Rant’s Greg MacArthur even compared it to another Netflix series: “Black Rabbit is darkly thrilling, technically brilliant, and tragically human. It's not Netflix's Ozark replacement; it's Ozark's worthy successor.”
Of course, there’s a reason this show isn’t 100%, as some critics were disappointed. Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter said: “It makes the more morally righteous characters too boring and one-dimensional to count as heroes, and the less morally righteous characters too cartoonish to count as people.”
While TheWrap’s Liam Mathews stated “nothing on its own is enough to make the show unwatchable, but it all adds up to something that isn’t as good as it should be for the genre it’s working in and the level of budget and talent involved.”
Of course, take these reviews with a grain of salt, but it’s worth noting that the majority of feedback has been positive. From what I’ve seen so far, “Black Rabbit” is an intriguing thriller that I’ll definitely continue to binge. It might not feel entirely fresh, but there’s no denying that Law and Bateman form an incredibly compelling duo you can’t help but root for, despite their very clear (and sometimes controversial) flaws.
Stream "Black Rabbit" on Netflix now.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom's Guide
- 7 thriller movies on Netflix with twists you’ll (probably) never guess
- Netflix drops first trailer for new mystery thriller series
- 7 best mystery thriller shows on Netflix to stream right now
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
