Black Rabbit on Netflix is already dividing critics in 2025

The Black Rabbit series, launched on Netflix on September 18, 2025, has had a mixed but intriguing critical reception: 65% Rotten Tomatoes, 62/100 Metacritic. The launch event in New York with Jude Law and Jason Bateman confirmed their complicity, but the reception nuances the enthusiasm. This eight-episode mini-series is already generating a great deal of debate in the industry.

A tense family plot

At the heart of Black Rabbit, we follow Jake, played by Jude Law, owner of an ultra-selective New York restaurant, and his unpredictable brother Vince, played by Jason Bateman. This duo illustrates the fragility of brotherly dynamics in the face of organized crime. Shooting in New York reinforces the authenticity of the atmosphere, with its night-time lights and realistic urban settings.

Since its release, early audience feedback shows that viewers appreciate the power of the lead actors. Despite a script that’s sometimes considered conventional, the series seduces viewers with its realistic details of New York nightlife, a reminder that Netflix is increasingly targeting the immersive experience category.

A prestigious cast

The strength of Black Rabbit lies in its casting. Jason Bateman and Jude Law are not only on screen, they are also executive producers. Their dual roles bring an added commitment that is felt on screen, giving the scenes a remarkable intensity. Cleopatra Coleman and Amaka Okafor complete a credible international cast.

Critics point out that the chemistry between Bateman and Law works perfectly. This complicity, confirmed during the New York premiere, places the series in the continuity of the great Netflix productions where the charisma of the leads sometimes compensates for the weakness of the subplots.

A nuanced critical reception

With a score of 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62/100 on Metacritic, the overall reception remains favorable but nuanced. Critics recognize the qualities of the performances, while pointing to a script that lacks breath at times. Some viewers, on IMDb (7.0/10 average), point out that the eight episodes are quickly consumed, but would have deserved a more ambitious arc.

Despite these remarks, Netflix is capitalizing on the trend towards limited thrillers, a strategy asserted since 2024 with mini-series in a short, intense format. This approach appeals to subscribers who are looking for quick consumption, placing Black Rabbit in a market dynamic where family suspense is king.

“Black Rabbit offers intense moments and standout performances, but sometimes stretches its narrative.” – IMDb review, September 2025

New York, the central character

New York City is as much a setting as a protagonist. The restaurant imagined for the series is a VIP venue where tensions and ambitions crystallize. The neon-lit night scenes convey the pressure of a city where danger can arise at any moment. This setting reinforces immersion and reminds us that Netflix looks after its prestigious locations to appeal to a global audience.

Many viewers admit to having been seduced by these contemporary urban settings, reinforcing the idea that the series plays on an aesthetic that is both realistic and glamorous. This New York ambiance contributes to Black Rabbit‘s visual class.

“Playing brothers in a story about the success and perils of New York nightlife was an exciting challenge.” – Jude Law, September 2025

The outlook for Netflix

The moderately positive reception is no hindrance: Netflix is banking on the notoriety of the two actors to attract a massive audience. With over 300 million subscribers by 2025, the platform knows that a family plot designed for binge-watching remains a profitable bet. The series can still gain visibility thanks to the sustained promotion planned until October.

Some analysts believe that a renewal remains hypothetical, as Black Rabbit was conceived as a mini-series. However, depending on the evolution of its public success, Netflix could consider a sequel or spin-off. This trend, already observed on other productions, confirms the streaming giant’s ongoing expansion strategy.

Comparisons with recent family thrillers are inevitable. Less hard-hitting in some respects, but solid in its performances, the series illustrates the variety of the dramatic offering, and could serve as a springboard for new large-scale productions. In the specialist press, the consensus remains clear: an imperfect but essential work for the start of the 2025 season.

Fans of the genre will be able to relate Black Rabbit ‘s urban energy to other Netflix projects, as well as to a trend observed in fiction about troubled fraternal relationships. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the success of series that left their mark on Paris and its cinephile circles, as demonstrated by certain articles linked to the craze for mysterious stories, such as this Montmartre secret in 2025.