Netflix has unleashed a new thriller that’s already drawing comparisons to the gritty intensity of Ozark, with Black Rabbit, an eight-episode limited series, premiering on September 18, 2025. Starring Jude Law and Jason Bateman as estranged brothers caught in a high-stakes battle within New York City’s pulsating nightlife scene, the show promises a propulsive mix of family drama, psychological tension, and crime-fueled chaos. Created by Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, Black Rabbit dives into the dark underbelly of Manhattan’s restaurant and lounge culture, delivering a narrative that’s as emotionally complex as it is thrilling. With a stellar cast, a powerhouse directing team, and a premise that’s hooked fans from its first-look images, Black Rabbit is poised to be Netflix’s next must-binge hit, rivaling the legacy of Ozark and cementing its place in the pantheon of prestige thrillers.
A Tale of Two Brothers in New York’s Nightlife
At the heart of Black Rabbit is the volatile relationship between Jake Friedkin (Jude Law), the charismatic owner of the eponymous restaurant and VIP lounge, and his troubled brother Vince (Jason Bateman), whose unexpected return threatens to unravel everything Jake has built. Set against the backdrop of New York City’s high-pressure nightlife, the series explores the unbreakable yet destructive bond between the siblings, who are pushed to the brink by family loyalty and ambition. Jake, a suave and calculated operator, has positioned Black Rabbit as Manhattan’s hottest spot, but Vince’s reentry—complete with gambling debts, drug addiction, and loan sharks on his tail—drags them into a dangerous web of old traumas and new threats.
The show’s logline, as shared by Netflix, encapsulates its intensity: “When the owner of a New York City hotspot allows his turbulent brother back in his life, he opens the door to escalating dangers that threaten to bring down everything he’s built.” This premise, described by Vanity Fair as a “psychological tug-of-war,” mirrors the slow-burn suspense and family dysfunction that made Ozark a global phenomenon, but Black Rabbit swaps Missouri’s backwoods for the neon-lit, gritty streets of Manhattan. The restaurant itself, inspired by legendary NYC haunts like Indochine or The Box, serves as more than a backdrop—it’s a “pressure cooker of power, identity, and ambition,” according to co-creator Zach Baylin, where art, food, music, and crime collide.
A Stellar Cast and Creative Team
Black Rabbit boasts an ensemble cast that elevates its gritty narrative. Alongside Law and Bateman, the series features Cleopatra Coleman as Estelle, an esteemed interior designer; Amaka Okafor as Roxie, the restaurant’s ambitious head chef; Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù as Wes, a prominent musician and entrepreneur; and Troy Kotsur as Joe Mancuso, a menacing crime boss owed a significant payout. Additional cast members include Dagmara Dominczyk as Val, Jake’s affluent ex-wife; Odessa Young; Abbey Lee; Chris Coy; Robin De Jesus; and supporting players like Amir Malaklou, Don Harvey, and Gus Birney. This diverse lineup, drawn from projects like Succession, CODA, and Gangs of London, promises to bring depth to the show’s darker corners.
The creative team is equally impressive. Created by Zach Baylin, Oscar-nominated for King Richard, and Kate Susman, who collaborated on The Order, the series is executive produced by Baylin and Susman’s Youngblood Pictures, Bateman’s Aggregate Films, Law’s Riff Raff Entertainment, and Automatik’s Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. Directing duties are split among heavyweights: Bateman helms episodes one and two, bringing his Ozark-honed sensibility; Laura Linney, reuniting with Bateman from Ozark, directs episodes three and four; Ben Semanoff takes episodes five and six; and Justin Kurzel, who worked with Law and Baylin on The Order, closes out the series. This directorial lineup, combined with Baylin and Susman’s nuanced scripts, ensures a tightly woven narrative that balances emotional realism with escalating stakes.
A Gritty Transformation for Bateman and Law
Black Rabbit marks a bold departure for both leads. Jason Bateman, known for his controlled, deadpan roles in Arrested Development and Ozark, embraces a grittier persona as Vince, a “scruffy, self-destructive” brother haunted by addiction and chaos. First-look images from Netflix show Bateman with a long-haired, bearded look, a stark contrast to his usual polished characters, signaling a performance that Vanity Fair calls “one of the most fascinating of his career.” Bateman told Netflix’s Tudum, “I think people would expect me to play Jake, the normal guy, but I’ve really got a great idea for this other guy, Vince. Everybody’s got a sibling or a friendship where you love being with one another, but it’s kind of dangerous.” This role flips audience expectations, offering a chaotic counterpoint to Law’s composed Jake.
Jude Law, meanwhile, brings his trademark intensity to Jake Friedkin, a suave restaurateur whose charm masks deep vulnerabilities. Collider notes that Law’s performance, informed by his recent roles in The Order and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, captures the “raw energy” of New York’s nightlife, with candid filming photos showing him in heated moments on Manhattan’s streets. Law told Vanity Fair, “We wanted you to look at it and go, ‘Oh, was this real? Did I go there? Have I had a beer at that place?’” His collaboration with Bateman, whom he praised for bringing “humor and humanity to the drama,” promises a dynamic interplay that anchors the series’ emotional core.
The reunion with Ozark alum Laura Linney, who directs episodes three and four, adds another layer of anticipation. Linney, who starred alongside Bateman in Ozark and was convinced by him to direct, brings an elegant intensity to the series, as noted by The Handbook. Her involvement, alongside Semanoff and Kurzel, ensures a visually striking and emotionally resonant experience, with each director contributing to the show’s sleek, noir-flavored aesthetic.
A Rival to Ozark’s Legacy
Black Rabbit draws inevitable comparisons to Ozark, given Bateman’s starring role, his directing contribution, and Linney’s involvement. Both series thrive on family-centric thrillers drenched in local atmosphere, but Black Rabbit trades Ozark’s rural crime for the urban chaos of New York’s nightlife. BGR describes it as having “all the ingredients of a can’t-miss-binge,” from brotherly rivalry to buried secrets and slow-burn tension, appealing to fans of gritty storytelling. Esquire likens it to “Ozark if it were made by the Coen Brothers at their zaniest,” blending crime, comedy, and psychological drama in a way that sets it apart while echoing Ozark’s addictive pull.
The show’s setting in Manhattan’s restaurant scene, described by Baylin as a “meeting place for all kinds of people and a second home to others,” evokes The Bear’s culinary intensity but infuses it with a criminal underworld edge. The Hollywood Reporter notes that while Chicago has The Bear, New York now has Black Rabbit, positioning it as a cultural touchstone for the city’s nightlife. The series’ authenticity, rooted in Baylin and Susman’s time in New York, ensures a vivid portrayal of a world where glamour and danger coexist.
Fan Excitement and Social Media Buzz
Since Netflix dropped the first-look images and confirmed the September 18, 2025, premiere, fans have flooded social media with excitement. On X, posts like “Jude Law and Jason Bateman in a gritty NYC thriller? Black Rabbit is gonna be my new Ozark obsession!” reflect the anticipation. Reddit threads on r/NetflixBestOf speculate about the show’s potential to match Ozark’s intensity, with one user writing, “Bateman as the chaotic brother and Law as the smooth operator? This is gonna be fire.” Others have praised the casting, with a comment noting, “Troy Kotsur as a crime boss and Laura Linney directing? Netflix is not playing around.” The absence of a trailer, as noted by Tom’s Guide, hasn’t dampened enthusiasm, with fans eagerly awaiting more glimpses of the series’ dark, stylish world.
Some fans have expressed concerns about Netflix’s crowded 2025 slate, with Squid Game Season 2 and Stranger Things Season 5 also looming, but Esquire predicts Black Rabbit could be the streamer’s “best show of the year” due to its unique blend of comedy and thriller elements. The casting of Law and Bateman, both with storied careers, has further fueled hype, with Parade highlighting the novelty of seeing Bateman as the “black sheep” rather than the strait-laced brother he played in Arrested Development.
Production and Release Details
Filming for Black Rabbit began on April 15, 2024, and wrapped on September 25, 2024, after 163 days, with much of the production taking place in public view across New York City. What’s on Netflix reported that Metro released candid photos of Law and Bateman filming, capturing the gritty urban aesthetic. The series, codenamed “Gary, The Dog” during production, utilized Manhattan’s streets to create an authentic backdrop, with Baylin and Susman drawing on their time in New York to craft a setting that feels both real and cinematic.
Netflix’s Upfront presentation in May 2025 highlighted Black Rabbit as a flagship release, with the streamer confirming its September premiere alongside first-look images that showcased Bateman’s transformed look and Law’s polished intensity. The eight-episode series will drop in full, catering to binge-watchers, and is expected to benefit from Netflix’s global reach, building on Ozark’s success as one of the platform’s preeminent originals.
A Must-Watch Thriller
Black Rabbit is shaping up to be a worthy rival to Ozark, blending the familial dysfunction and criminal stakes that defined Bateman’s previous hit with a fresh, urban twist. Jude Law’s charismatic Jake and Bateman’s chaotic Vince promise a sibling dynamic that’s both relatable and explosive, set against a vividly realized New York nightlife scene. With a talented ensemble, a top-tier creative team, and a premise that’s already hooked fans, the series is poised to dominate Netflix’s fall lineup. As HELLO! magazine put it, “Mark your calendars—this one’s a must-watch.” Whether you’re drawn to the brotherly tension, the crime-fueled drama, or the allure of Manhattan’s underbelly, Black Rabbit is set to deliver a thrilling ride that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
