Netflix Black Rabbit star's other dark thriller is 'masterclass in suspense'

One of the star's of Netflix's new limited series Black Rabbit features in another dark thriller that is dubbed a 'masterclass in suspense'.

Released today (September 18), Black Rabbit is the latest major addition to the streaming platform's ever changing library. The eight-part series stars Jason Bateman and Jude Lawin the leading roles as brothers.

Bateman is the chaotic sibling who drags his rising-star restaurateur relative into New York's criminal underworld following his surprise return to town with loan sharks on his trail. The character is a far cry away from the comedy parts Bateman used to be known for in titles such as Arrested Development and the Will Smith superhero movie Hancock.

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However, the actor is no longer a stranger to darker material. Netflix fans will of course recognise him from the streamer's hit series Ozark, episodes of which Bateman also directed. Fans of that show will no doubt have been anticipating Black Rabbit's release.

However the star has another dark thriller that is well worth fans checking out. Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, The Outsider sees Bateman star as Terry Maitland, a suburban parent who is accused of a grisly murder.

Detective Ralph Anderson, played by Star Wars actor Ben Mendelsohn, struggles to solve the bizarre case as he finds some conflicting clues. At first the investigation seems like it will be simple and straightforward but things change.

Suggestions of supernatural forces at play leads the investigators to question everything they believe in. Wicked star Cynthia Erivo also features as Holly Gibney, a character who appears in multiple Stephen King works.

Boasting a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics and fans alike are full of praise for the series. One fan sharing their thoughts online posted: "Stephen King adaptations can be hit or miss, but HBO's The Outsider is a resounding, terrifying success."

They continued: "From its chilling opening to its ambiguous yet satisfying conclusion, this series is a masterclass in suspense, atmospheric horror and psychological dread, pulling you in with an unrelenting grip and refusing to let go long after the credits roll."

While another went so far as to claim: "Best Stephen King adaptation hands down. Really well done with the exact right amounts in the mix of horror, supernatural-ness, feel-good alliance-making, and humanness. This series has it all... AND some police-procedural elements added in for you crime/mystery addicts as well."

Suggesting it could suit viewers better who aren't keen on Black Rabbit's pacing, they added: "The pace is good - not so heavy on the slow-burn tact other shows are using that leave you irritated you are watching your life pass you by."

Someone else suggested Bateman is a standout factor making the title work as well as it does, they said: "I think this show is a rare instance of the movie/show is better than the book, especially for a Stephen King flick. Usually his books are much better than the movies.

"But thanks to the hard work of Jason Bateman and all the actors, they make this show come alive in a way that the book just didn't do for me."

Black Rabbit is streaming on Netflix while The Outsider is streaming on Sky Atlantic and NOW.