#TIFF25: “BLACK RABBIT” REVIEW

By Mr. Will Wong

BLACK RABBIT has all the makings of prestige television and it premieres as part of this year’s Primetime programme. The suspenseful upcoming Netflix release sees among others, star Jason Bateman and Laura Linney taking turns directing episodes of this Limited Series.

We meet Restauranteur Jake (Jude Law) thriving with this Michelin-starred establishment, for which the Series is named, and he’s about to expand further. The New York Times is about to do a feature, and in comes his troubled brother Vince (Jason Bateman), who is dealing with vices and debt. His resurfacing could mean everything Jake working for getting destroyed as seams begin to split beneath him and other problems come to light and chaos begins to unravel.

While it takes a moment to get going, we were fully immersed by the second episode, as we witness for Jake how we can rise above the soil, though sometimes we are unable to escape our roots. Yet another tremendous performance by this talented Ensemble, led by Law and Bateman, the latter flexing his ability in a role unlike any other he’s played.

Thankfully, the Series arrives on the streaming service September 18, 2025 but those of us who can’t wait, can see it at TIFF ’25 as follows:

Sunday, September 7
TIFF Lightbox
Premium
Closed captions (CC). Audio description (AD)
3:30 pm

Monday, September 8
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Closed captions (CC), Audio description (AD)
9:30 pm

#FIRSTLOOK: “BLACK RABBIT” TRAILER

Netflix today debuted the official trailer for the propulsive new limited series, BLACK RABBIT. Starring and executive produced by Jude Law and Jason Bateman, this gripping crime thriller premieres Thursday, September 18, 2025 only on Netflix. This will.be part of TIFF ’25‘s Primetime Programme as well.

From creators Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, Black Rabbit also stars Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Troy Kotsur, with Abbey Lee, Chris Coy, Dagmara Dominczyk, Forrest Weber, Odessa Young and Robin De Jesus.

ABOUT BLACK RABBIT:
Set against the backdrop of New York City’s high-pressure nightlife scene, Black Rabbit centers around two brothers who learn just how far family, and the pursuit of success, can push them to the edge. Jake Friedkin (Jude Law) is the charismatic owner of The Black Rabbit, a restaurant and VIP lounge, poised to become the hottest spot in New York. But when his brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), returns to the business unexpectedly, trouble soon follows; opening the door to old traumas and new dangers that threaten to bring down everything they’ve built. Black Rabbit is a propulsive thrill ride and character examination about the way an unbreakable bond between two brothers can shatter their world and everything in its orbit.
The series is created and executive produced by Zach Baylin and Kate Susman for Youngblood Pictures. Executive producers include Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez for Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson for Riff Raff Entertainment; Bryan Kavanaugh Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Fognowski, Justin Levy, Dave Bernon and Erica Kay.

Series Credits:
Creators: Zach Baylin, Kate Susman
Executive Producers: Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez’s Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson’s Riff Raff Entertainment; Zach Baylin and Kate Susman’s Youngblood Pictures; Bryan Kavanaugh Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Fognowski, Justin Levy, Dave Bernon and Erica Kay
Cast: Bateman, Law, Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Troy Kotsur, Abbey Lee, Chris Coy, Dagmara Dominczyk, Odessa Young and Robin De Jesus, with Amir Malaklou, Don Harvey, Forrest Weber, Francis Benhamou , Gus Birney, John Ales and Steve Witting.
Directors: Jason Bateman (101, 102), Laura Linney (103, 104), Ben Semanoff (105, 106), Justin Kurzel (107,108)
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#FIRSTLOOK: “BLACK RABBIT”

Today, Netflix announced the premiere date and debuted an official first look at the much-anticipated new limited series, Black Rabbit. Starring and executive produced by Jude Law and Jason Bateman, this propulsive thrill ride will premiere globally September 18, 2025, only on Netflix.

ABOUT BLACK RABBIT:
Set against the backdrop of New York City’s high-pressure nightlife scene, Black Rabbit centers on two brothers who are pushed to the brink by their duty to family and their pursuit of success. Jake Friedken (Jude Law) is the charismatic owner of Black Rabbit, a restaurant and VIP lounge, poised to become the hottest spot in New York. But when his brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), returns to the business unexpectedly, trouble soon follows; opening the door to old traumas and new dangers that threaten to bring down everything they’ve built. Black Rabbit is a propulsive thrill ride and character examination about the way an unbreakable bond between two brothers can shatter their world and everything in its orbit.

The series is created and executive produced by Zach Baylin and Kate Susman for Youngblood Pictures. Executive producers include Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez for Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson for Riff Raff Entertainment; Brian Kavanaugh-Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Frognowski, Justin Levy, David Bernon and Erica Kay.

Series Credits:
Creators: Zach Baylin, Kate Susman
Executive Producers: Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez’s Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson’s Riff Raff Entertainment; Zach Baylin and Kate Susman’s Youngblood Pictures; Brian Kavanaugh-Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Frognowski, Justin Levy, David Bernon and Erica Kay
Cast: Bateman, Law, Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Troy Kotsur, Abbey Lee, Chris Coy, Dagmara Dominczyk, Odessa Young and Robin De Jesus, with Amir Malaklou, Don Harvey, Forrest Weber, Francis Benhamou , Gus Birney, John Ales and Steve Witting
Directors: Jason Bateman (101, 102), Laura Linney (103, 104), Ben Semanoff (105, 106), Justin Kurzel (107,108)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEXT ON NETFLIX 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

NETFLIX held their NEXT ON NETFLIX 2025 Preview yesterday in Los Angeles at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre. A satellite event was held in Toronto at Design Exchange, with an exclusive Canadian content preview appended to the presentation with Netflix Canada‘s Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury. Canadian Comedian Mae Martin gives the Thriller genre a try with their upcoming series WAYWARD and spoke about it for the first time, unable to hide their deep admiration for Co-star Toni Collette. A snippet of new series NORTH OF NORTH also was presented, which Woodrow and Woodbury have very high hopes for.

While The New York Times on the perceived lack of inspiration in Film and Television today, posed the question back in November in an opinion piece titled “Is Creativity Dead?“, Netflix‘s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria had a very confident and short response: “Not at Netflix“.

The streaming giant showcased its exciting upcoming programming slate, which ranges from domestic and international films to series, to sports, and now even gaming. They acknowledge that their big swings might not always lead to reward, but a perfect example of big payoff is Chairman of Netflix Film Dan Lin‘s first ever acquisition for Netflix coming out of Cannes, the now 13-time Oscar-nominated EMILIA PÉREZ. Not a bad start and a hint at bigger things to come ahead.

The Toronto audience got to hear about upcoming projects from the likes of Ben Affleck, John Mulaney, Tina Fey, CM PUNK, Rhea Ripley, and Stranger Things creators, The Duffer Brothers and there’s plenty to be excited about.

Highlights included a sneak peaks at the final season of SQUID GAME which is set to arrive June 27; some riveting footage from Joe Carnahan’s just-wrapped RIP reuniting Ben Affleck and Matt Damon; promising “prestige television” series BLACK RABBIT (starring Jude Law and Jason Bateman) and ZERO DAY (starring Robert De Niro); some spectacular snippets of Guillermo del Toro‘s Toronto-filmed FRANKENSTEIN; a behind-the-scenes look at the final season of more-cinematic-than-ever STRANGER THINGS; plus a couple intriguing series like a Tina Fey series adaptation of the 1981 Film THE FOUR SEASONS, and a series adaptation of Judy Blume‘s 1975 coming-of-age novel, FOREVER. And above this, there was a very riveting snippet of an upcoming Victoria Beckham Documentary which has us pining for more.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DEBUTS

Announcements:

-Creative partnership forged with Lena Dunham, with new 2025 series TOO MUCH; Dunham appeared on-stage at the London Netflix presentation

-TUDUM the global fan event will live stream on Netflix on May 31 from the Kia Forum, in LA

New Title Announcements:

-Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Destination Wedding (Film) and Tyler Perry’s She The People (Series); there will be a total five productions coming ahead under Perry’s guidance, with the first, BEAUTY IN BLACK arriving March 6

-Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds (Documentary Film) from The Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions

-American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden (Documentary Series) coming to Netflix March 10

-Chaos: The Manson Murders (Documentary Film) coming to Netflix March 7

-Eddie (Documentary Film) centering on Eddie Murphy, from Director Angus Wall

-Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer (Documentary Series)

-Katrina: Come Hell and High Water (Documentary Series) from Executive Producer Spike Lee, on Netflix this August

-Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey (Documentary Film) coming to Netflix April 21

-Titan (Documentary Film) examines OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush

Game Announcements:

-The iconic WWE 2K games are coming to mobile exclusively for Netflix members beginning Fall 2025

-Netflix Stories is giving the video game treatment to more beloved series including Ginny & Georgia, Sweet Magnolias, Love is Blind and a new season of Outer Banks

Previously Untitled Films:

-Jay Kelly (Film) – Previously Untitled Noah Baumbach film starring George Clooney, Adam Sandler and Laura Dern

Additional Date/Timing Announcements:

Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney (Live Series) – Weekly on Netflix starting March 12 (each week will have one live episode)

Temptation Island (Unscripted Series) – On Netflix March 12

Adolescence (Series) – On Netflix March 13

Survival of the Thickest S2 (Series) – On Netflix March 27

Nonnas (Film) – On Netflix May 9

Ginny & Georgia S3 (Series) – On Netflix June 5

The Old Guard 2 (Film) – On Netflix July 2

Havoc (Film) – On Netflix Spring 2025

Fear Street: Prom Queen (Film) – filmed in and around Toronto and on Netflix Summer 2025

Frankenstein (Film) – filmed in and around Toronto and on Netflix November 2025

A Merry Little Ex-Christmas (Film) – filming currently in Toronto and on Netflix Fall 2025

Jay Kelly (Film) – On Netflix Fall 2025

RIP (Film ) – directed and written by Joe Carnahan and starring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Kyle Chandler, and Steven Yeun; Netflix Fall 2025

The Woman in Cabin 10 (Film) – On Netflix Fall 2025

Untitled Kathryn Bigelow (Film) – On Netflix Fall 2025

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Film) – On Netflix Fall 2025

Not only this, more announcements are schedule throughout the day. Updates to come.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Netflix)