ABOVE AVERAGE

When a New York City restaurant owner (Jude Law) finds his brother (Jason Bateman) back in his life (and business), it opens a path to a confrontation with a local mobster (Troy Kotsur).

A limited series that accomplishes something many others struggle with: make expert use of all eight episodes to build an intricate story, tension and an ultimately moving portrait of two brothers who are far from perfect or likable, but still compelling to follow. Part of the reason why it works so well is great performances by Law and Bateman, but also its unpredictability and intensity in the final episodes.

A gritty New York atmosphere helps.

2025-U.S. 451 min. Color. Created by Zach Baylin, Kate Susman. Cast: Jude Law (Jake Friedken), Jason Bateman (Vince Friedken), Cleopatra Coleman (Estelle), Sope Dirisu, Amaka Okafor, Troy Kotsur. 

Trivia: Originally shown in eight episodes, some of which are directed by Bateman, Laura Linney and Justin Kurzel. Co-executive produced by the two leads.

Last word: “Our initial conversations, I don’t think the roles had been decided on yet, as I seem to remember it. I usually play the part that Jude plays in this and Jude has a much more textured body of work out there where he’s played Vince, he’s played Jake, he’s played Vince. I think I said, ‘Well, I haven’t played the Vince part in stuff as often as you have, so maybe it would be more interesting if I play that because I’ve kind of got an angle on that as I’ve read this.’ And I seem to remember he said, ‘Great, yeah.’” (Bateman, The Wrap)