Horror Movie Review: Serial Rabbit 7: Critical Rabbit Theory (2023)

Written and directed by Brett William Mauser (of course), Serial Rabbit 7: Critical Rabbit Theory brings an end to the epic Serial Rabbit franchise (for now) in absurd fashion. Just when you think the franchise can’t get any more meta, along comes this entry.

So, where did we leave off? Well, if you remember at the end of Serial Rabbit V: The Epic Hunt, the killer bunny ended up in the Old West where he quickly became Sheriff. Yes, it was as nonsensical as it sounds. Yet, what’s even more nonsensical is that, like always, Serial Rabbit 6 exists, but doesn’t exist.

Which brings me to the maddening plot of this film. A film within a film.

Starring Bradley Bates, Christopher Henry, Dane Berkshire, Sérgio Cantú, and Will Scoville, Serial Rabbit 7: Critical Rabbit Theory isn’t just the seventh instalment of the franchise, it’s also the sixth.

You see, the plot is set in the ‘not too distant future’ where a man decides to create his own sequel to Serial Rabbit V: The Epic Hunt. One that gives him a satisfying explanation for how the events of Serial Rabbit 7 could take place. Not only that, but he has also become so disillusioned with horror, that he strives for something that offends, so plans to make this Serial Rabbit entry, the most offensive yet.

How? By using AI to create it. Zing.

So, what we get here is Serial Rabbit 6, an official sequel, but wrapped up in the shell of Serial Rabbit 7. Are you following?

Having been stuck in the Old West, the killer rabbit has grown to enjoy his time as Sheriff, so much so that when Lilith arrives to proposition him, he refuses. Why would he want to go back to present times when there’s so much ‘law-abiding’ killing to be done? Remember, all the killer bunny wants to do is to kill, preferably bad guys, and that is what Lilith is able to take advantage of.

It’s time for the rabbit to go back. The world has changed and there a lot more horrible people in it now (cue jokes about wokeness, influencers, and so on). However, this is all part of a bigger Lilith plot, one that will see her regain her throne in hell, should she succeed.

Once again, Brett William Mauser delivers a surprising film. One that is, by all conventional standards, a bad film, but one that is proud of that fact and doesn’t pretend to be anything but. This is what has always made the franchise endearing, and that continues into this latest entry.

Alas, while Serial Rabbit 7: Critical Rabbit Theory is thoroughly enjoyable, it doesn’t quite hit the high of the previous two films, Serial Rabbit 3 and Serial Rabbit V. Whereas both of those films felt fresh, this entry feels a bit ‘rinse and repeat’, lacking the meta strength or the comedic chops. Everything about it is just a little lesser, except for the slasher element. With this being one of the more violent and gory entries to date. Which is good, because sometimes it is easy to forget that the Serial Rabbit franchise is a slasher franchise, first and foremost.

Stick to the rule, and you’ll have fun with Serial Rabbit 7: Critical Rabbit Theory. The rule that you should never take a film like this seriously. Brett William Mauser never has, nor has any of the cast or crew, so why should you?

I don’t know if we’ll ever get another entry, and if we don’t, this wasn’t a bad way for the franchise to end. Not the highest point, but still so far removed from where things started.