Three years after the ending ofOzark,Jason Batemanis starring in another gritty thriller show from Netflix, and we now have first-look images and a release date for the series. Many ofJason Bateman’s best movies and showsare comedies; he’s arguably best known for shows likeArrested Developmentand movies likeJunoandHorrible Bosses. However, Bateman has also starred in several acclaimed thrillers, most recently inNetflix’sCarry-On, but even more notably in the 2017 seriesOzark. Now, Bateman is about to star in his first Netflix thriller series since theending ofOzark.
Vanity Fairconfirmed thatJason Bateman’s next thriller show,Black Rabbit, will premiere on Netflix on September 18.Black Rabbitfollows Vince Friedken (Bateman), a burnout slacker with drug and gambling addictions who seeks his brother’s, Jake (Jude Law), help as he runs from a mysterious danger. Jake runs a successful restaurant in New York, but Vince’s return forces him to reconcile with all his family drama and a new threat.Black Rabbitseason 1 will also include eight episodes in total, and the first-look images show a disheveled Bateman with long hair and a beard running through a busy street with the clean-cut Law.
What Black Rabbit’s First-Look Images & Release Date Mean For Jason Bateman’s Thriller
Bateman Is Playing Against Type, Which Could Make Black Rabbit Very Interesting
One thing is clear fromBlack Rabbit’s first-look images and its synopsis: Jason Bateman is playing against type. For years, Bateman has been cast as the “straight man” in comedies - the normal person who contrasts with the wild antics of other characters - and the straight-laced character in thrillers likeOzark.Black Rabbit’s co-showrunner, Zach Baylin, even confirmed that was the goal in casting Bateman.
“That idea of [Bateman] as this buttoned-up, very controlled personality was really exciting to play against.”
With Jason Bateman in such an unexpected role,Black Rabbitcould turn out to be something special. The goal of any thriller is to surprise its audience, and seeing Bateman as a disheveled, unpredictable character should accomplish exactly that.Black Rabbitalso seems exciting because it pairs Jude Law and Jason Bateman together for the first time, along with other stars like Amaka Okafor and Troy Kotsur. Even just these preliminary details aboutBlack Rabbitpaint a fascinating picture.
It’s also worth noting thatBlack Rabbitcould capitalize on the recent uptick in thriller shows and movies.From series like Netflix’sBlack Dovesto Apple TV+‘sWolves, the entire genre seems to be on the rise, andBlack Rabbitcould easily join the list of hot new projects. Its September 18 release date also means that viewers won’t have to wait long to start unraveling the mystery of Vince and Jake’s family drama.
Our Take On Jason Bateman & Jude Law’s Upcoming Thriller Show
I’m Excited To See What Black Rabbit Has In Store For Bateman & Law
It may be too early to say with any certainty, but the first-looks at and descriptions ofBlack Rabbithave me very excited. I lovedOzark, and whileCarry-Onwas a great movie, I’ve been itching to see Jason Bateman in another gritty, serious thriller series for years now.Black Rabbitseems like the perfect follow-up toOzark, and pairing Jude Law with Bateman almost guarantees that it’ll be a good time. Again, it’s very early, butBlack Rabbitcould be one of the best thrillers of 2025, and potentially one of the best shows inJason Bateman’s career.
