Trailers work best when they give you a taste of the show or movie without spoiling the entire plot. But they become truly effective when they manage to stir emotions in just two minutes of footage.
That’s exactly the case with “Black Rabbit,” a limited thriller series starring Jude Law and Jason Bateman as brothers whose lives spiral when mounting debts pull them deep into New York’s criminal underworld. From the first Netflix trailer, it already feels like a story packed with tension, stress, and hardly a moment to breathe.
The chaotic vibe was perfectly matched by the trailer’s soundtrack, (St Vitamin by Dead Dads Club) so good that I immediately had to go play it on Spotify because what a tune. That alone made me even more intrigued, especially after my interest was already sparked by the first-look images back in June.
Luckily, the wait isn’t long: you can stream all eight episodes of “Black Rabbit” on Netflix starting September 18.
The trailer kicks off with Bateman’s character, Vince, battered and bloodied, sprawled on the floor of an elevator and struggling to breathe. The trailer wastes no time setting a very brutal tone, hinting at the kind of chaos that may have landed him in that state.
The preview then teases a string of violent and unpredictable moments as two brothers navigate New York City, from armed takeovers in bustling public places and fiery acts of arson to masked heists and sudden bursts of dark humor.
One blink-and-you-miss-it shot even shows someone dropping what looks like a bowling ball onto another person’s head from the top of a staircase...
So yes, it’s safe to say this thriller series looks super intense, and I’ll definitely be binge-watching it on day one.
‘Black Rabbit’ is already on my must-binge list
“Black Rabbit” is already high on my must-binge list just for the cast alone. Jason Bateman clearly channels the intensity fans loved in “Ozark,” while Jude Law seems to bring a rough-edged, desperate energy to his New York-accented character.
Adding to the mix is Oscar winner Troy Kotsur, and you’ve got a trio of performances that make this limited series a must-watch come September.
Law told Tudum: “It’s a very interesting world. At the heart, I hope [audiences] are hooked by the complicated, loving, volatile relationship of these two brothers.”
Bateman added: “It’s really about these brothers who love each other but don’t match — one’s a screw-up, and the other is much more buttoned up. Everybody can relate to that. Everybody’s either got a sibling, or a friendship where you love being with one another, but it’s kind of dangerous; where that person usually gets you in trouble, but they’re really exciting to be around.”
Beyond the star power, “Black Rabbit” carries a distinct energy that feels like a darker, more cutthroat version of “Succession” meets the intense, pressure-cooker atmosphere of “The Bear.” As Netflix describes it, the series is “a propulsive thrill ride and character examination about the way an unbreakable bond between two brothers can shatter their world and everything in its orbit.”
The full synopsis reads: “Set against the backdrop of New York City’s high-pressure nightlife scene, Black Rabbit centers on two brothers who are pushed to the brink by their duty to family and their pursuit of success.
Jake Friedken (Jude Law) is the charismatic owner of Black Rabbit, a restaurant and VIP lounge, poised to become the hottest spot in New York. But when his brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), returns to the business unexpectedly, trouble soon follows; opening the door to old traumas and new dangers that threaten to bring down everything they’ve built.”
While both have impressive careers filled with standout roles, “Black Rabbit” is the first time Bateman and Law are sharing the screen. And from the first trailer, it’s clear this is a duo we didn’t know we needed.
In the meantime, I’m going to play St Vitamin by Dead Dads Club on repeat until this series drops, because this song is pure chaos in the best way.
“Black Rabbit” opens on Netflix on September 18, and I’m pulling up a seat at the table for what’s shaping up to be a deliciously messy thrill ride.
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