Rabbit (2017) — Movie Summary, Review, Commentary & Behind the Scenes

 

Original Title: Rabbit

• Release Year: 2017
• Director: Jesse James Miller
• Writers: Derek Hamilton & Jesse James Miller

Main Cast:

• Tyler Johnston as Matthew
• Gabrielle Miller as Trudy
• Ian Tracey
• Rose Clare Nicholas
• Campbell MacLaurin (younger characters)
• Nicholas Campbell as Bobby
• Trudy

Rabbit is a Canadian mystery drama and thriller that blends psychological tension, family trauma, and personal redemption into a gritty, emotional journey. Directed by Jesse James Miller, the film follows a man who returns to his hometown to search for his missing brother, only to uncover long-buried secrets that challenge the life he thought he knew.

Story Summary

The story begins with Matthew (Tyler Johnston), a man haunted by the disappearance of his brother years earlier. Feeling that nobody in his old small town is willing to look deeper into the case — including authorities and people close to the situation — Matthew decides to go back home, determined to find the truth at any cost.

Upon returning, he reconnects with people from his past, including Trudy (Gabrielle Miller), whose life is also intertwined with the mystery. The town itself, seemingly quaint and ordinary, hides layers of resentment, unresolved conflicts, and unspoken history that begin to unfold as Matthew digs deeper.

As Matthew investigates, unexplained clues and odd behaviors lead him to question everything he thought he knew about his family, especially regarding his brother’s disappearance. Relationships become strained, long-suppressed emotions resurface, and the people who once looked like friends start to appear like suspects.

The more Matthew learns, the more he realizes that the truth — buried like the past — might be far more painful and complicated than he ever imagined. Forced to confront old wounds and hidden betrayals, his journey becomes not just about solving a disappearance, but about facing his own fears, regrets, and identity.

Film Review

Rabbit is not a conventional crime thriller filled with high-octane chases or nonstop action. Instead, it is a slow-burn character drama where emotional depth, atmosphere, and tension take center stage.

Critics have noted that while the film’s narrative can feel restrained or deliberately opaque at times, its strength lies in the performances and mood. Tyler Johnston’s portrayal of Matthew is compelling; he captures a man who is both determined and fragile — someone wrestling with hope and despair in equal measure.

Gabrielle Miller as Trudy brings grounding and honesty to the story, offering emotional clarity amid Matthews’ growing uncertainty. The ensemble cast contributes to a sense of real, lived-in community — one that has its own secrets, regrets, and biases that complicate the search for truth.

Some reviews highlight that while the plot may feel brooding and slow, the cinematography and setting help immerse the viewer in the small-town mystery. The film uses its locations effectively, turning quiet streets, forests, and hidden corners into spaces of tension and reflection rather than simple backdrops.

Audience reactions on review platforms vary — some praise its atmospheric storytelling and emotional weight, while others mention that the film’s ambiguities may frustrate viewers looking for a more straightforward mystery. Nonetheless, Rabbit holds a solid rating among critics for its introspective approach and character focus.

Commentary

What makes Rabbit compelling is its focus on the human cost of unresolved loss. Matthew’s quest is as much about finding answers as it is about confronting his own inner turmoil. The film subtly comments on how families and communities can bury pain beneath polite facades, and how revisiting those hidden places can be both a source of healing and further hurt.

Rather than presenting a neatly tied mystery, the narrative leans into the ambiguity of memory and truth, reminding viewers that some questions don’t have simple answers and that facing the past often involves navigating difficult emotions.

Behind the Scenes

Rabbit was written by Derek Hamilton and Jesse James Miller, with Miller making his directorial imprint through a film that emphasizes character interplay and authentic performances. The production leaned into the natural locations and small-town settings to give the movie a grounded and realistic tone, one that supports the story’s themes of identity, memory, and belonging.

The director’s choice to prioritize actor-driven scenes over elaborate plot twists allows the emotional dimensions of the story to resonate more deeply, creating a compelling viewing experience for those who appreciate intimate mystery dramas.

The film’s music, pacing, and editing work together to build tension through quiet moments and evocative visuals, making Rabbit feel more like a character study than a typical procedural thriller.

👉 Click here to watch this movies