Why Jude Law & Jason Bateman’s Black Rabbit should be your new Netflix obsession

The new Netflix crime drama, Black Rabbit, is a must-watch. You should add it to the top of your list – it’s simply excellent.

Netflix has a knack for compelling crime dramas – think shows like Ozark, Mindhunter, Ripley, and Dept. Q – and their latest series, Black Rabbit, which premiered today, is no exception. It’s a gripping addition to the genre.

The series, created by Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, features Jude Law as Jake, the owner of ‘Black Rabbit,’ a wildly popular New York restaurant and hotspot.

Just when Jake is on the verge of a big career move, his brother Vince shows up, bringing a lot of problems and a knack for creating disaster. We’ve watched all eight episodes and want to share three reasons – without giving anything away – why you should watch too.

Black Rabbit pays homage to the best

I’m really enjoying Black Rabbit, and it feels unique, but it also reminds me of a lot of other great shows and movies. It definitely seems inspired by some classics, and honestly, that’s part of what I like about it!

Martin Scorsese’s *Mean Streets* is a clear influence, featuring Harvey Keitel as a small-time gangster aiming for more, but constantly held back by his unpredictable friend, Johnny Boy (Robert De Niro), who always seems to cause problems. This turbulent and unhealthy friendship closely resembles the dynamic between Jake and Vince.

The popular show *The Bear* shares similarities with *Black Rabbit*, as both center around the challenges of running a high-end restaurant. This includes everything from the financial struggles of sourcing quality ingredients to managing staff issues and the everyday chaos of a busy kitchen.

The Safdie brothers’ film *Uncut Gems* shares a similar energy with this story, as both center around characters constantly making risky deals and facing dangerous consequences. Like watching Howard Ratner’s life unravel in the movie, the tension in *Black Rabbit* steadily increases as Jake and Vince find themselves in an increasingly precarious and threatening situation.

Jason Bateman delivers a career-best performance

Jason Bateman faced challenges transitioning from a young actor to an adult one. His career got a boost from the sitcom *Arrested Development*, and he successfully moved into dramatic roles with films like *The Gift* and *Air*, as well as the popular series *Ozark*.

He had a knack for making even unlikeable characters endearing in his previous show, and he does it again with Vince in Black Rabbit. However, Vince isn’t just flawed – he’s truly chaotic, a burden to those around him, and often causes his own problems.

Vince isn’t malicious, but he frequently makes poor choices, often without thinking them through. Unfortunately, these impulsive decisions end up putting the people he cares about at risk, making him unintentionally dangerous.

Okay, so Vince is seriously frustrating a lot of the time, and he gets on everyone’s nerves – trust me, I’ve been playing! But here’s the weird thing: the actor, Bateman, makes him so likable and shows this real vulnerability that you just can’t help but feel for him. Even when he’s being a total pain, especially with Jake being so forgiving, you actually end up wanting him to succeed. It’s a strange dynamic, but it totally works.

New York has rarely looked better

Black Rabbit takes place in New York City, and the show-along with its characters-captures the city’s vibrant and energetic spirit, making for a truly captivating series.

You can definitely feel the atmosphere within the Black Rabbit restaurant itself, but the story truly shines when the characters are out exploring New York City – whether they’re enjoying the bar and club scene, or running from the police in Chinatown or gangsters near the subway.

The show brilliantly portrays the energy and excitement of New York City. As Jake and Vince find themselves in increasingly dangerous situations, Black Rabbit expertly uses the city’s inherent suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, making it a truly captivating series.

You can watch Black Rabbit right now! If you’re looking for more thrilling shows, check out the best thrillers available on Netflix here, or discover 20 must-see Netflix shows here.

Read More

2025-09-18 11:20