Black Rabbit Runs on Jason Bateman and Jude Law’s Sublime Brother Act

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Just a few minutes into the second episode of Netflix’s captivating and tense series, *Black Rabbit*, Jude Law appears wearing a messy, bleached-blond wig. At the same time, as Jason Bateman sits down at a drum set, the show shifts from its muted, washed-out colors to stark black and white. This change transforms *Black Rabbit* from a thriller about two flawed, dependent brothers into a flashback that feels like a 90s music video, showcasing them when they were at their peak. It’s a bizarre choice – that wig! – but somehow, it works. Who knew Jude Law could look so much like Damon Albarn?

Jake and Vince Friedkin, played by Jude Law and Jason Bateman, have a natural charisma and seem destined for lasting fame. However, the film quickly brings them crashing back to reality, forcing them to confront their current struggles with money, isolation, and unhappiness. In just a short scene, Law and Bateman effectively show both what these brothers once had and everything they’ve lost.

The new Netflix series, *Black Rabbit*, launching September 18th, is a fast-paced, eight-episode drama with a complex story. It dives into the hectic world of New York City restaurants while tackling difficult themes like troubled father-son relationships, sexual abuse within the nightlife scene, and the dangerous lives of illegal bookmakers. The show’s style draws inspiration from films like *Mississippi Grind*, with its reckless energy, Wes Anderson’s focus on family drama, and Michael Mann’s realistic cityscapes. However, the heart of *Black Rabbit* lies in the complicated connection between Jake, a restaurant owner, and Vince, a gambler battling addiction. Their flawed but enduring bond, brought to life by the actors Law and Bateman, is what truly makes the series special.

Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, the team behind the 2024 crime drama *The Order*, also created and wrote *Black Rabbit*. Several people involved in *The Order*, including Jude Law, director Justin Kurzel, and actress Odessa Young, return for this new series. Like its predecessor, *Black Rabbit* explores themes of ambition and identity, asking how much we are shaped by what we run from and the complicated relationships we forge. The series weaves these questions into a story of brotherhood, gradually expanding the world around the central characters, Jake and Vince. Baylin and Susman skillfully build tension, introducing seemingly small plot points that slowly escalate into major events – a bit of backstory here, a hint of conflict there – culminating in shocking moments. *Black Rabbit* knows how to build suspense, and Jude Law and Jason Bateman deliver captivating performances, seamlessly shifting between charming and frustrating, keeping viewers on edge.

The new series, *Black Rabbit*, is set in modern-day New York City and centers around Jake, who runs a popular four-story restaurant and club filled with celebrities like musician-turned-business owner Wes and his partner, interior designer Estelle. The club thrives thanks to the excellent food from Chef Roxie, and Jake is now aiming to expand by taking over a well-known lounge called the Pool Room. This expansion would be expensive, but Jake is optimistic it will be worth it, especially after a good review in the New York *Times*. Throughout meetings with Roxie and his investors, actor Law portrays Jake as a smooth talker who seems to be constantly reassuring himself-and everyone else-that his plans are sound. The introduction of Jake’s brother, Vince, reveals the reason for Jake’s caution: it’s hard to fully commit to anything, particularly when money is involved, with a brother struggling with heroin addiction and a criminal past.

Vince, played by Bateman, is unkempt and carries himself differently than Law’s character, Jake, who is always put-together. However, Vince has a certain self-assurance, like someone who’s skillfully talked their way out of trouble more than once. Bateman delivers even harsh insults with a surprising, almost musical rhythm – lines like “Why don’t you grow a fucking ball bag and rob a bank?” feel like spontaneous, jazzy improvisation. When Vince returns to Jake’s life, his stories about his time out West don’t add up, and Jake sees right through them. Despite their constant annoyance and resentment towards each other, the two are inextricably linked, like the swinging balls in a Newton’s cradle. They need each other for balance, and the actors convincingly portray the familiar, subtle communication of siblings – the raised eyebrows and exasperated smiles that come from a lifetime of both loving and frustrating each other.

The comfortable, familiar dynamic between the brothers is central to *Black Rabbit*, and it makes everything that happens after their reunion – the unfolding of secrets, the introduction of the menacing bookie Mancuso (played with captivating intensity by Oscar winner Troy Kotsur), and a disturbing assault storyline that blurs the lines between who’s truly ‘good’ – feel urgent and emotionally impactful. The show skillfully layers these elements, drawing us into the brothers’ story while simultaneously developing the complex relationships and betrayals surrounding them. A strong supporting cast, including Dagmara Domińczyk, Morgan Spector, and Forrest Weber, who brilliantly reimagines a familiar character, provides compelling counterparts to Bateman and Law. Directors, including those with experience on *Ozark* like Laura Linney, create suspenseful scenes – from frantic chases through New York City’s Diamond District to a chilling flashback – and the music, featuring artists like Interpol and Fontaines D.C., along with a pulsing synth score, adds to the overall tension, making even dialogue-heavy scenes feel vibrant and uncertain.

As a movie and TV lover, what really struck me about *Black Rabbit* is how it taps into something so universal. It’s all about the Friedkin family, and while their problems are unique, the things driving them – wanting more and being unhappy with what they have – are things we all deal with. The show really makes you think about how much of our lives are built on shaky ground – relying on others’ support, and how easily that can be taken away, even by people we’re closest to. It’s a tough watch at times, honestly harrowing, but it’s completely gripping, and the performances from Vince and Jake are incredible – honestly some of the best I’ve seen all year. It’s a dark journey, but one I’d absolutely recommend taking.

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2025-09-16 22:55