Jason Bateman Debuts in Netflix Thriller ‘Black Rabbit’ as Series Premieres

Jason Bateman takes center stage today as Netflix drops its eight-episode crime thriller Black Rabbit, co-starring Jude Law and directed in part by Bateman himself, exploring sibling betrayal and underworld entanglements in New York City.

A long-anticipated Netflix limited series led by two Oscar-caliber actors bows today, blending noir aesthetics with familial drama to captivate streaming audiences.

Black Rabbit opens in a packed downtown club where restaurateur Jake Friedkin (Jude Law) and his estranged brother Vince (Jason Bateman) face a mob-style robbery that sets the stage for a deeper descent into debt, deceit and violence. Bateman directs the first two episodes, infusing the story with his trademark blend of dark humor and tension.

Subheadings

  • Sibling Rivalry Unleashed Bateman’s Vince returns to New York after a two-year exile in Reno, bringing dangerous debts and chaotic flair that threaten Jake’s culinary empire.
  • Noir Style and Grit Filmed in moody handheld noir, Black Rabbit’s nightlife scenes evoke a timeless quality, punctuated by vintage rock flashbacks and a synth-heavy score.
  • Critical Reception Early reviews praise the leads’ electric chemistry but note the series’ uneven character development and pacing.

Key Details

  • The limited series premieres exclusively on Netflix today.
  • Bateman directs episodes 1-2; Laura Linney, Justin Kurzel and Ben Semanoff helm subsequent installments.
  • Co-created by Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, with executive producers including Michael Costigan and Erica Kay.
  • Features Oscar winner Troy Kotsur as a menacing Deaf crime lord and newcomer Forrest Weber as his volatile son.

Black Rabbit represents Bateman’s most ambitious television venture since Ozark, merging his directorial vision with a high-stakes narrative rooted in family loyalty and ambition. Viewers can stream all episodes beginning September 18 on Netflix.