Austin Film Festival Television Series Review: ‘Dick Bunny’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Kim Griffin as Max in ‘Dick Bunny’.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the television series, ‘Dick Bunny’. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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We are taught from a very early age, that motherhood, is one of the most noble and incredible acts that a woman can take part in, and there’s a lot of merit to that mantra. After all, a woman is tasked with carrying a human life for nine months, and all the difficulties that come with that. Not to mention, they have to give birth to that very human, which is an epic and painful and powerhouse process. So yes, it stands to reason that there is nobility and wonder goes along with the choice to become a mother, and what’s fascinating, is that our celebration of motherhood doesn’t end there. After all, once the baby is born, there are those critical days where mom now must nurture that wonderful bundle of joy.

Which we hold in high regard because it means that modern mom is going to tap into something quite primal. Those survival and rearing skills that have been passed down from generation to generation genetically, and now she will simply know exactly what to do to raise her child perfectly and well… at that point, we tend to salute mom and leave her be and well… that’s when mom learns… that this particular aspect of motherhood is outright nonsense. Sure, there’s an understanding and a need to properly make sure that the little one is safe and secure, and of course fed and comfortable in a bed. But that’s really it. There’s no deeper instinct that will magically provide mom with guidance on what comes next. That’s on her to figure out and that’s a scary prospect and that incredible truth is top of mind today because a television series about such matters recently screened at the Austin Film Festival.

Which makes Dick Bunny, quite the pioneering series. For it revolves around a new mother named Max who is indeed trying to navigate the world of motherhood, with minimal luck. Because outside of the basics, she has no idea what she should be doing. Outside of doing her best and keeping her little one close to her, but that doesn’t feel like enough. Especially when her friends and fellow moms put the fear of the world into her and point out steps she should and could be taking as a mom to be the greatest one that ever lived and well, that stress brings forth quite the surprise. For a mysterious character from a mysterious storybook, known as Dick Bunny, has appeared in her mind, and he has all the right kind of advice for Max to follow since he cuts through the nonsense that surrounds motherhood.

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Drew Droege and Kim Griffin as Dick Bunny and Max in ‘Dick Bunny’.

Which is a plot that really does offer up a different kind of motherhood story, one that is refreshing in nature. Simply because, often times stories in this vein are glorious in nature and filled with beautiful visuals and beautiful moments. But this story, showcases motherhood in the raw and makes it clear it is no easy task, caring for a child is a bevy of work for a new mother and that… there is no manual on how to raise a child. There’s simply advice, some good, some bad, and a boatload of nonsense out there as well, and that makes for a brilliant series. For there is no romanticization of the early days of motherhood to be found here. Just motherhood in the raw, and all the sleep deprived nights it produces, and the wonder of this show doesn’t end there.
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Because it also takes the time to lampoon a lot of the extreme and silly stuff that moms encounter. Such as the fearmongering that pops up on social media. For instance, all the stupid and silly posts about how a photograph of one’s child will mark them for kidnapping from all the nefarious people that scour the web looking for prey, and it is nice to see a show cut through such nonsense and of course… have a voice of reason present through Dick Bunny himself. Since he consistently points out the hypocrisies that exist regarding the expectations of raising children and the nonsense that keeps new mothers up at night, and he exists so that a quality message can be provided to the viewer and hopefully the new moms that tune in.

In that, all of those books, classes and advice from friends isn’t what matters most when raising one’s new baby. Those are simply tools and aides. What matters most, is being a great mother and offering the little one all the love they can handle and more. And that, is what makes this series truly worthwhile. Well, that, and the amazing humor that takes place. Since this series also makes it clear to not take every moment of the early days of motherhood too seriously, lest one might miss out on those special moments that will never come again. And well, those elements, born from a brilliant set of scripts from Suzie Mendoza, alongside amazing acting from Kim Griffin (Max), Drew Droege (Dick Bunny), and the supporting cast, and slick and beautiful direction from Katie Locke O’Brien, makes for essential viewing. For new mothers specifically, but also for anyone interested in a great human story, about an adventure that we don’t spotlight in an honest light as often as we should.

Watch Season 1 of ‘Dick Bunny’ at the ‘Dick Bunny’ Website or on Vimeo for a limited time. 

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