The Netflix Psychological Thriller That Will Make Your Skin Crawl
Australian psychological horror film Run Rabbit Run is currently streaming on Netflix. Directed by Daina Reid from a script by Hannah Kent, the story takes viewers on a nightmarish journey into the depths of a fractured mother-daughter relationship. Starring Sarah Snook, Lily LaTorre, Damon Herriman, and Greta Scacchi, the movie blends elements of horror with guilt and the haunting power of the past.
Run Rabbit Run begins with Sarah, a divorced fertility doctor, celebrating her daughter Mia’s seventh birthday. The day starts on an ordinary note as the pair finds a rabbit in their home, sparking an attachment that will soon spiral into the unknown. That evening, their family gathering takes a dark turn when Peter, Mia’s father, arrives with his new partner, Denise, and her three-year-old son, Toby.
The development of Run Rabbit Run began with Australian author Hannah Kent’s exploration of a true story about a child who remembered a past life.
Trouble brews when Toby accidentally injures Mia during playtime, causing her to scream in fear and pain. Consumed by anger, Sarah confronts Toby and Denise, but Peter steps in to mediate, trying to smooth over the tensions. Later that night, Sarah attempts to rid herself of the rabbit by sending it over the garden wall, only to be bitten in the process.
Sarah also realizes that Mia witnessed her failed attempt to get rid of the rabbit. Mia’s behavior in Run Rabbit Run takes a disturbing and erratic turn the next day. She becomes intermittently unresponsive, covering her face with a homemade rabbit mask and refusing to remove it. At school, Mia’s fear forces her to hide in a playground tube, yet she denies being bullied.
Instead, she expresses a deep longing for her estranged grandmother, Joan, whom she has never met. Mia’s bizarre behavior intensifies, mirroring Sarah’s own descent into madness as hallucinations, nightmares, and the infected rabbit bite on her hand take their toll. Mia’s relentless desire to see Joan leads Sarah to take her to the assisted living home where Joan lives despite their strained relationship.
Run Rabbit Run was initially set to star Elisabeth Moss as Sarah.
Here, the mystery of Run Rabbit Run deepens as Joan, who suffers from dementia, inexplicably refers to Mia as Alice. This reference triggers a strange reaction from Mia, further fueling Sarah’s desperation. Sarah’s desperate attempts to help her daughter lead to disturbing revelations about her own past and a chilling connection between Mia and her sister.
As the past and present collide, Sarah’s anger intensifies, and she inadvertently harms Mia with a pair of scissors. The film’s climax finds Peter and Sarah searching for Mia amidst shattered family photos. In a state of emotional turmoil, Sarah finally admits the truth and returns to her childhood home to confront Mia/Alice, apologizing for her past actions.
The development of Run Rabbit Run began with Australian author Hannah Kent’s exploration of a true story about a child who remembered a past life. Kent’s idea eventually evolved into a psychological drama with a horror twist, exploring the emotional turmoil of a parent dealing with a child who claims to be someone else.
Sarah Snook’s performance as the tortured mother received acclaim, but the movie was criticized for not fully realizing its potential in exploring its themes.
Run Rabbit Run was initially set to star Elisabeth Moss as Sarah and be directed by Daina Reid. However, Sarah Snook joined the project as the lead star when Moss had scheduling conflicts. The rest of the cast includes Lily LaTorre as Mia, Damon Herriman as Peter, Greta Scacchi as Joan, Sunny Whelan as Alice, Naomi Rukavina as Denise, Shabana Azeez as Nowa, and Trevor Jamieson as Sandy.
Filming took place in South Australia and Victoria, with financing from various sources, including Screen Australia and XYZ Films. Run Rabbit Run premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023 and was subsequently released on Netflix in June in several countries, including the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Critics’ opinions on Run Rabbit Run have been mixed. While some praised the film for its competent direction and atmospheric camerawork, others found it to rely on familiar horror tropes. Sarah Snook’s performance as the tortured mother received acclaim, but the movie was criticized for not fully realizing its potential in exploring its themes.
Still, Run Rabbit Run is a haunting and intricate exploration of the human psyche that spirals into darkness, leaving viewers with lingering questions about the true nature of identity, guilt, and the traumatic power of our past actions. The disturbing tale is currently available to stream on Netflix.
