Vince Friedken has meticulously built a life of success and stability as the respected owner of a thriving New York City hotspot—a sanctuary for the city’s elite. His world is one of polished surfaces, curated clientele, and controlled chaos. But this carefully constructed equilibrium is shattered when his volatile, estranged brother, Jake, reappears, dragging the ghosts of a turbulent past back into the light. Against his better judgment, Vince offers Jake a lifeline, a decision that unravels with devastating consequences.

What begins as a fraught family reunion quickly spirals into a high-stakes nightmare of escalating dangers. As Jake’s presence ignites a series of increasingly dire threats, Vince finds his business, his relationships, and his very safety under siege. “Black Rabbit” is a gripping, character-driven thriller that explores the unbreakable, and often destructive, bonds of brotherhood, asking how far one man will go to protect the empire he built from the brother he can’t seem to escape.

Black Rabbit cast with photos

1. Jason Bateman as Vince Friedken

Jason Bateman delivers a masterclass in controlled tension as Vince Friedken, the pragmatic and polished owner of a coveted New York City nightclub. Bateman expertly portrays a man who has spent years building a wall of order and respectability to separate himself from a chaotic past. His Vince is the epitome of cool competence on the surface, but Bateman allows the audience to see the constant, calculating fear that lies beneath—the fear of everything he’s earned crumbling to dust. He is a man perpetually preparing for a disaster that has just arrived in the form of his brother.

Bateman’s performance is a slow burn of escalating desperation. As the threats against his livelihood intensify, we see the meticulous facade begin to fracture, revealing the raw, resourceful, and morally conflicted man underneath. His chemistry with Jude Law is electric, fueled by a lifetime of shared history, resentment, and a twisted sense of loyalty. Bateman makes Vince’s journey from successful businessman to cornered animal both terrifying and utterly compelling.

2. Jude Law as Jake Friedken

Jude Law is utterly mesmerizing and dangerously unpredictable as Jake Friedken, the charismatic yet profoundly troubled brother whose return catalyzes the series’ chaos. Law crafts a character of magnetic charm and palpable danger, a man whose best intentions are invariably paved with ruinous consequences. His Jake is a whirlwind of seductive energy and pathological impulsivity, keeping everyone—including the audience—guessing about his true motives and his capacity for redemption or further destruction.

Law masterfully explores the complexities of Jake’s psychology, revealing the deep wounds and insecurities that fuel his destructive behavior. He is not a simple villain but a tragic figure whose love for his brother is as genuine as it is toxic. Law’s performance ensures that Jake is the chaotic heart of the series, a force of nature that you simultaneously fear, pity, and find strangely irresistible, making his presence a constant source of suspense.

3. Abbey Lee as Anna

Abbey Lee brings a nuanced strength and piercing intelligence to the role of Anna, Vince’s partner and a co-architect of their successful life together. Lee portrays Anna as a woman who is not just an accessory to Vince’s world but a sharp, savvy force in her own right. She is the stable ground upon which Vince has built his empire, and her keen intuition makes her immediately wary of Jake’s disruptive presence and the danger he represents.

Lee’s performance shines as Anna evolves from a supportive partner into a formidable ally in Vince’s fight for survival. She is the moral compass who quickly realizes that polite society’s rules no longer apply, and her transformation into a proactive defender of their life adds a crucial and powerful dimension to the narrative. Her relationship with Vince is tested in the fire, and Lee makes that journey emotionally resonant and fiercely authentic.

4. Dagmara Dominczyk as Val

Dagmara Dominczyk is captivating as Val, a sharp, connected, and formidable figure within New York’s social scene who has a complex history with both Vince and Jake. Dominczyk imbues Val with a world-weary elegance and a calculating mind, making her a potential ally, a dangerous foe, or something ambiguously in between. Her character operates by her own code, and her motivations are often shrouded in a veil of charming self-interest.

Dominczyk’s presence introduces a wildcard into the escalating conflict between the brothers. Val’s knowledge of the Friedken family’s past and her own ambitions make her a pivotal player whose actions can tip the scales for or against Vince. Her chemistry with both Bateman and Law creates tantalizing tension, as her allegiance remains one of the series’ most compelling questions.

5. Odessa Young as Gen

Odessa Young delivers a standout performance as Gen, a perceptive and ambitious employee at Vince’s club who finds herself caught in the crossfire of the brothers’ war. Young brings a refreshing authenticity and street-smart resilience to the role, portraying Gen as a young woman trying to build a better life for herself who becomes an unexpected witness to the darkness lurking beneath the glamorous surface.

Young’s character arc is one of unexpected courage and resourcefulness. As the danger mounts, Gen must decide whether to flee to save herself or risk everything to help the man who gave her a chance. Her perspective provides a crucial ground-level view of the chaos, representing the collateral damage and human cost of the brothers’ escalating conflict.

The Supporting Ensemble

The stellar supporting cast adds immense depth and tension to the world of Black Rabbit: Troy Kotsur brings gravitas as Joe Mancuso, a trusted advisor with his own stakes in the game. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù is compelling as Wes, a figure from Jake’s past. Cleopatra Coleman and Amaka Okafor shine as Estelle and Roxie, key employees at the club whose loyalties are tested. Chris Coy and Robin de Jesús round out the cast as Babbitt and Tony, adding further layers to the intricate social and criminal web that entangles the Friedken brothers.

Why Black Rabbit Is a Must-Watch

• Bateman & Law Unleashed: Two of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors at the top of their game, delivering a masterclass in tension and complex brotherly dynamics.

• Gripping Narrative: A tightly-wound thriller that masterfully blends family drama with escalating, real-world danger.

• Atmospheric Setting: The glamorous, yet sinister, world of a NYC nightclub provides the perfect backdrop for a tale of corruption and betrayal.

• Superb Ensemble: Every character is richly drawn and performed, creating a believable and dangerous world that feels alive and unpredictable.

Welcome to the Club. Mind Your Step. Black Rabbit premieres September 18, 2025, only on Netflix.