Cast: Jason Bateman, Jude Law, Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Robin DeJesus, Chris Coy, Odessa Young, Morgan Spector, Troy Kotsur
Length: 8 episodes
Streaming Service: Netflix
Release Year: 2025
Audio Description Produced by: descriptive Video Works
Written By: Bixie Jean
Narrated by: Paula Hoffman
What is it?: Two brothers, both questionably ineligible for luck in their lives, strike out on different endeavors after opening a restaurant together. When one brother reaches the end of his finances, he returns home to the other, now seen as somewhat successful as the owner and operator of the Black Rabbit. but, those who are expecting money eventually show up, and quickly these brothers realize they are trapped in a circle they can’t escape, and perhaps were fated to from the beginning. It all kicks off with a robbery gone awry, and goes back in time to show how we got here.
What Works: I keep hearing the comparison to the tense feeling of Uncut Gems, which is not a fair comparison, as it was easier to maintain that high level of suspense in a feature. episodically, each episode has its own highs and lows as we build the story. it does reach fever pitch, and certainly has moments leading up to the last episode, but it isn’t trauma waiting to happen.
However, it is something compelling, and has some standout performances. Troy Kotsur is finally being used in something that honors his newfound status as Oscar Winner. he plays the head of a mob family, and his crew, which includes his son, communicates through sign language. This makes for an interesting dynamic when he deals with people who can’t sign, because Troy is never asked to try and sound out the words. He simply is relegated to staring people down, and having emotional reactions. This does mean his performance is basically entirely communicated to me through audio description, but just like it was affecting to hear his scene in Coda described, he has some lovely beats here as well.
Bateman and Law are great. I don’t know who would get th nomination in any awards ceremony. they are co-leads, making both hard. Jude Law is trying his best to do an American accent, and it doesn’t quite work, but the performance is top notch. Bateman is high energy, and full of desperation, in a very different role from what we usually see him in. I love that he continues to challenge himself in a post-Ozark career, and hasn’t just slipped back into comedy.
The rest of the ensemble supports these men through a myriad of dark subject matters, where it feels like life and death is a daily occurrence. There’s a subplot dealing with a sexual assault which colors the priorities of Jude Law, who while not responsible, certainly prioritizes in the wrong direction. Bateman’s character has a complicated relationship with his daughter, having fled when she was younger. She’s survived without him, and is tired of trusting him to not leave again.
it is interesting to see how close these brothers come to being normal, yet they stand in their own way, cutting corners, and denying personal restraint which puts their lives in persistent danger. It’s definitely a show to watch, and at times will have you on the edge of your seat, or just flat out breathless. However, not every single moment of every episode will do that.
the Audio Description: There’s a lot to work with here, with the content changing episode to episode. It’s not the most graphically violent show, but it pulls so much at the crime elements that there are some really tense moments held up nicely by the description. Not only do Jean and Hoffman bring life to Kotsur’s character, but they find these beats where someone is running for their life, up against a clock, or threatening someone or being threatened in an act of desperation. it is a very good track, which hits all the levels the show has to offer.
Why You Might Like it: You need a show that keeps you awake. It’s one of the more intense shows you could choose in a sea of procedural crime dramas and whodunits.
Why you Might Not Like it: I’m not really sure. I guess it could be too much for you. There are also a few trigger warning topics covered, like suicide and sexual assault, which could keep you away.
Final thoughts: Intense, thrilling, and surprisingly strong from beginning to end, Black Rabbit is worth the chase, all to get to an ending that reminds us all just how good Jason Bateman, Jude Law, and Troy Kotsur can be.
Fresh: Final Grade: 8.2/10
