The Death of Bunny Munro review – Matt Smith is pitch-perfect in Nick Cave's crushing study in masculinity

Matt Smith shines as the titular character in this gripping and poignant adaptation of Nick Cave's book, "The Death of Bunny Munro". The film tells the story of Bunny, a charismatic but troubled salesman who has been passed down a string of wives, including his young wife Libby (Sarah Greene), who takes her own life after being rejected by him. Their nine-year-old son, Bunny Jr (Rafael Mathé), becomes the central figure in this tragic tale as he embarks on a road trip with his father to reconnect and heal.

As the story unfolds, it's clear that Bunny's journey is one of self-destruction, driven by his own selfish desires and neglectful upbringing. His inability to form meaningful relationships or connect with those around him is exemplified through his treatment of Libby and now his son. The flashbacks to his youth show a young Bunny struggling with his own father (another Bunny), who is more concerned with finding women than nurturing his own child.

The film's greatest strength lies in its portrayal of masculinity and the devastating consequences it can have on those around men. The script, written by Pete Jackson, masterfully conveys the latent violence that can simmer beneath the surface of seemingly harmless interactions between men and women. Smith's performance as Bunny is pitch-perfect, capturing the character's charisma and vulnerability with equal ease.

What sets this film apart from other adaptations is its concise and confident storytelling. With only six episodes to tell a complex story, it's a testament to the creators' skill that each act feels fully realized, without padding or unnecessary filler. The pacing is deliberate and measured, allowing the audience to absorb the weight of Bunny's tragedy.

As the tale hurtles towards its inevitable conclusion, one can't help but feel a sense of dread for the young son who has been handed this toxic inheritance. Will he be able to escape the cycle of misery that has defined his father's life? The film leaves us with more questions than answers, leaving the audience to ponder the devastating consequences of toxic masculinity and the long-lasting impact it can have on families.

Ultimately, "The Death of Bunny Munro" is a timely and illuminating study in masculinity, one that will leave you disturbed but ultimately hopeful. Matt Smith's performance is a masterclass in acting, bringing depth and nuance to a character that could have easily been reduced to a caricature. If you're looking for a thought-provoking drama that will linger long after the credits roll, look no further than this gripping adaptation of Nick Cave's masterpiece.

I mean, can't believe it's taken them this long to make a film about toxic masculinity? Like, we've been talking about it for years now... Anyway, Matt Smith is actually pretty great in this one, and the way he portrays Bunny's vulnerability is really something special. The storytelling is super concise, which is nice because sometimes these slow-burning dramas can be a bit much to handle. But seriously, if you're looking for a film that'll make you feel uncomfortable but also maybe even hopeful, then this is the one. It's like... have we finally figured out how to do masculinity right? Not really sure, but I guess this film will give you something to think about.

Omg I am literally SHOOK by Matt Smith's performance in "The Death of Bunny Munro"!!! He's like, so raw and emotional as Bunny, it's hard not to feel for him... or be scared for his kid ! The way the show tackles toxic masculinity is SO relevant right now and I love how it leaves you with more questions than answers - it's like, can we really escape our family's dark past? . And that final act... *sigh* just, ugh. You'll be on the edge of your seat, feeling all the feels... trust me, this show is a must-watch for anyone who loves drama and complex characters .

I just watched a movie with my friends about a guy who has so many problems ... I mean, he's got these flashbacks to his childhood and stuff, but it's not like his dad was bad or anything. Just that he was really into finding new women all the time. And then there's this one part where the main character is driving with his dad and they're just talking about nothing, but you can tell there's so much pain beneath the surface... I don't know, it's kinda making me think about my own family a bit . Does anyone else ever watch movies that make them feel all emotional and stuff?

I'm literally shaking my head over here...the way they portray masculinity in this film is so raw and honest it's like a punch to the gut Matt Smith as Bunny Munro is absolutely chilling, he brings this toxic energy to life that's just mesmerizing...but at the same time it's heartbreaking because you know what's gonna happen The way they tackle the consequences of toxic masculinity is so well done, it's not just a film about Bunny's struggles but also about the impact on those around him And can we talk about how they handled the flashback scenes? Mind blown Pete Jackson's script is a work of art, it's like he knew exactly what he wanted to say and said it in the most beautiful way possible

I'm so done with toxic masculinity . The way it can ruin lives and relationships is just heartbreaking. I mean, Bunny Jr is this innocent kid who gets handed a messed up legacy by his dad and has to navigate the world with all these emotional scars. It's like, how do you even escape that kind of cycle? The film does such an amazing job of portraying the devastating consequences of toxic masculinity, it's like, you can't look away from the pain and suffering.

And I love how Matt Smith brings so much depth to Bunny's character, it's like he's this charismatic bad boy who's also broken and vulnerable at the same time. It's like, you want to hate him for what he's done, but at the same time, you can't help but feel for him too. The flashbacks to his youth are so well-done, they really show how Bunny's upbringing has shaped him into this troubled person.

The only thing that bothers me is how the film leaves us with more questions than answers. I mean, what happens to Bunny Jr after he finishes this road trip? Will he be able to break free from his dad's toxic legacy or will it follow him for the rest of his life? The ending feels a bit abrupt and unsatisfying, but overall, the film is just so powerful and thought-provoking. It's like, it'll stay with you long after the credits roll

I gotta say, I'm loving this film! The way it explores toxic masculinity is so on point . It's like, we've been conditioned to think being a "real man" means suppressing emotions and prioritizing work over relationships, but that's just not healthy at all . And Matt Smith's performance as Bunny? Mind blown . He brings this complexity to the character that's just so relatable, you know? I love how it doesn't shy away from the consequences of these toxic behaviors either - it's like, the film is holding up a mirror to us and saying "yep, we've got some 'splainin' to do" . And what really gets me is that it's not just about Bunny, but also about how his actions affect those around him, especially Libby and her son . It's like, our individual choices have ripples that can affect entire families... anyway, I'm gonna go watch this film again, 'cause I'm hooked !

I don’t usually comment but... I was really moved by this film . The way it explores the toxic consequences of masculinity is so relevant to our society today. Matt Smith's performance as Bunny Munro is just incredible – he brings such depth and nuance to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. The script is masterful in its portrayal of how damaging toxic masculinity can be to those around men.

I think what really resonated with me was the way the film shows how these effects can be passed down through generations, like Bunny Jr's journey on his road trip with his father. It’s a really powerful commentary on how we need to break free from these cycles of self-destruction and find healthier ways of connecting with each other.

It's also worth noting that the show doesn't shy away from exploring some tough themes, but it does so in a way that feels thoughtful and respectful, rather than exploitative or heavy-handed. Overall, I think "The Death of Bunny Munro" is a really important watch – it'll leave you feeling disturbed, but ultimately hopeful for change

man i just watched this new netflix series based on nick cave's book and it was so emotional bunny's story is literally heartbreaking he's got a good heart but his upbringing and toxic masculinity have messed him up big time it's crazy how one generation can pass down trauma to the next. matt smith does an amazing job playing the lead role, he brings out both the vulnerability and charisma in bunny. what i loved most about this show is how it doesn't shy away from showing the devastating consequences of toxic masculinity on those around men it's a really important message that needs to be had right now.