Jude Law and Jason Bateman, despite having shared a wealth of experience and time in Hollywood, had never cross paths in any significant manner until Netflix’s Black Rabbit brought them together as on-screen siblings. Both actors, known for their distinctive blue eyes and early starts in the acting world, took on dual roles as executive producers and stars in this eight-part series created by King Richard screenwriter Zach Baylin and Kate Susman. The show explores the bonds of brotherhood strained by past decisions and current dilemmas.
The series centers around Jake Friedkin, portrayed by Law, who owns a high-profile restaurant named Black Rabbit in Brooklyn. His ambitions of expanding his culinary empire face turmoil with the unforeseen arrival of his older brother, Vince, played by Bateman. Vince, formerly Jake’s business partner, is back in town seeking aid after running from a debt owed to mobster Joe Mancuso.
Vince’s return to New York disrupts Jake’s carefully orchestrated life and thrusts both brothers back into a world filled with crime and emotional scars from their upbringing. The narrative takes viewers on a rollercoaster of family secrets, jealousy, and desperate measures as they are confronted by their tumultuous upbringing with an alcoholic father.
A crucial turning point arises when Vince agrees under duress to engage in a crime that targets Jake’s own establishment. This act leads to a chain of events that culminate in tragedy and a brotherly confession that Vince killed their father years ago to protect their mother. Despite the gravity of these revelations, the emotional depth of their relationship shines through with Jake’s admission of having known the truth and loving Vince regardless.
The show meticulously balances drama with humor, as Law comments on the complex themes of love and forgiveness between estranged siblings. His character, Jake, struggles with maintaining his public persona and success while being internally driven by deeper familial issues. Bateman’s Vince contrasts this with his chaotic yet endearing personality, which highlights the difficulty of severing ties with one’s sibling despite their flaws.
Culminating in a poignant finale, Jake is left to ponder his brother’s influence and actions, as Vince makes a final, fatal decision. The narrative concludes with a melancholic yet hopeful tone, suggesting a fresh beginning for Jake, stripped of pretense but filled with possibility. The series ends on a tranquil note, capturing the city’s life with a sensory clarity that indicates Jake’s newfound appreciation for the world around him.
Black Rabbit, streaming now on Netflix, tells a complicated yet genuine story of family, choice, and redemption, marking an impactful debut collaboration between Law and Bateman.