The launch of “The Death of Bunny Munro” on Sky has sparked conversation, and not all of it comfortable. The six-part series, adapted from Nick Cave’s novel, plunges viewers into the unsettling world of Bunny Munro, a deeply flawed and disturbingly self-absorbed door-to-door salesman.
The story begins with a devastating loss: the suicide of Bunny’s wife, Libby. Suddenly burdened with his young son, Bunny Jr., he embarks on a chaotic sales tour, a journey that forces a brutal confrontation with the man he truly is – and the father he fails to be.
Director Isabella Eklöf recently shared insights into filming one of the series’ most shocking scenes – a funeral disrupted by Bunny’s perverse actions. While deeply disturbing to watch, the filming itself was surprisingly lighthearted, a testament to the established rapport on set.
“We just went into the bathroom and watched him masturbate,” Eklöf revealed, describing the scene as “fun” after weeks of collaboration with the cast. The director emphasized the strong chemistry between Matt Smith, who portrays Bunny, and his on-screen son, Rafael.
However, the emotional core of the series lies in the fractured relationship between father and son. These scenes, unlike the shocking ones, were intensely charged, exploring the desperate attempts to forge a connection amidst overwhelming dysfunction.
The series doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. It presents a stark commentary on generational trauma, the societal failures that contribute to lost men, and the resulting pain inflicted upon women. Sex is depicted not as intimacy, but as a cold transaction, a means to an end.
Eklöf believes television is craving a return to moral clarity. “There’s been too much irony, too many grey areas,” she stated. “There is right and wrong, good and evil, and we need to address it.” She describes the source novel as a passionate exploration of unchecked darkness.
Matt Smith himself embraced the challenge of portraying such an “appalling” character, relishing the opportunity to delve into the tortured psyche of Bunny Munro. The series, Eklöf concludes, is a journey that ultimately leads to a chilling destination.
The story unfolds as a descent, a relentless trip toward a disturbing conclusion, leaving viewers to grapple with the uncomfortable questions it raises about morality, responsibility, and the enduring consequences of a life lived without genuine connection.
