SHIFTER editor-in-chief Kevin Bourne says this Kiefer Sutherland led series is one of the best of 2023 so far in his Rabbit Hole review.
Last night, hundreds gathered in downtown Toronto for the Canadian premiere of Rabbit Hole, the latest original series from Paramount+.
Starring Kiefer Sutherland, who was in attendance for the premiere, Rabbit Hole tells the story of John Weir (Kiefer Sutherland), a corporate espionage expert who alongside his team play Robin Hood by using deception to mastermind and puppeteer grand schemes in favour of his clients. What you believe you’re getting is a series where every episode Weir and his ragtag team of experts find a new corporate giant or businessman to bring down, but soon there’s a twist as Weir is framed for murder and forced to go on the run as he looks to uncover who is trying to set him up.
While some may be tempted to right off the show, questioning whether Sutherland is past his prime or reached his expiry date as a lead actor, he delivers some of the best acting of his career on the show as he goes from playing the hunter in roles like Jack Bauer in 24 to now being the hunted with a severe case of paranoia. He also blurs the lines between protagonist and antagonist playing a character you’re not sure you love or hate.
Rabbit Hole is 24 on steroids and is one of the most thrilling series we have seen in a long time. From drone shots to the cinematography and score, which successfully creates a sense of tension, suspense, and grandeur, it looks, feels and sounds more like a major motion picture than a series. While we’ve seen highly cinematic big screen worthy series before in the sci-fi, fantasy and historical drama genres, it has escaped us in the spy thriller genre until now. This series is exactly that.
Simply put, Rabbit Hole is easily one of the best series of 2023 so far and will no doubt be among the best series of the year. If you’re into thrilling storylines and mind blowing twists and turns delivered with a highly cinematic aesthetic, Rabbit Hole is an absolute must-see.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 310 international voters for the 81st Golden Globe Awards by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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