Is ‘Zero Day’ the Political Thriller We Deserve or Just Another Missed Opportunity?

The existence of the “political thriller” genre itself demonstrates our deep-seated skepticism towards government and authority. This genre has proven to be a mirror for current sociopolitical concerns, ranging from the Cold War era (as depicted in the 1962 film The Manchurian Candidate) to modern conflicts like the Gulf War and Middle East engagements (seen in the 2004 adaptation of the same title). Consequently, many significant cultural works fall under this genre as they capture the fearful, anxious mood of the times (such as All the President’s Men, Three Days of the Condor, Missing, and The Ghost Writer)).

Netflix’s latest limited series titled “Zero Day” kicks off as a rather blatant political thriller that appears eager to be relevant in today’s world. At first glance, the show might seem overly obvious and easy to dismiss after its lackluster debut episode. However, if you persist with it, the series “Zero Day” turns out to be more subtly complex and skillfully crafted than it initially appears.

An Attack on America Kicks Off ‘Zero Day’

Zero Day is one of the rare TV series that starts off with an exceptionally poor pilot episode. Let’s give showrunner Eric Newman the advantage of the doubt and assume that the show is intentionally setting us up for a more familiar but awkwardly executed style reminiscent of Aaron Sorkin, only for Zero Day to gradually morph into something closer to Capricorn One or Z. The series initially features Robert De Niro as George Mullen, a politician who remains popular across party lines, which is somewhat reminiscent of Muller and may make some viewers feel uneasy. He’s deeply immersed in a routine lifestyle—medication in the morning, jogging with his dog, breakfast, attempts to write his memoir, watching TV, and spending time with his wife Sheila (Joan Allen takes on an underappreciated role).

Prior to building up substantial character development, an unexpected event known as ‘Zero Day’ unfolds. This term refers to a moment when every digital communication and connection nationwide suddenly cease. Theoretically, it lasts only one minute, but during this brief timeframe, trains collide, cars crash, planes plummet from the sky, the stock market crashes, and so on. After a minute, systems automatically restart, with devices displaying the chilling message, “This will happen again.

In the digital era we live in, it’s hard not to notice how heavily we lean on technology, particularly the internet. Yet, it’s a stretch to imagine that a brief internet blackout could trigger a crisis akin to 9/11, necessitating a special commission with unprecedented powers and authority. This new panel, reminiscent of the Patriot Act in scope, is granted powers surpassing both Congress and the Constitution to identify the culprit behind the Zero Day attack, initially blamed on Russia.

Given our deeply divided political climate, the current U.S. President, portrayed by Angela Bassett in a role that truly showcases her talent, seeks someone impartial and reliable to lead this sensitive investigation. Enter Robert De Niro as Mullen – a man who could be the key to unraveling this digital mystery.

Robert De Niro Is Either Saving the Country or Losing His Mind

George Mullen is prompted to assume the position by his long-term political advisor, Roger Carlson, portrayed exceptionally well by Jesse Plemons. It seems that Roger might be more keen on George accepting the job rather than the nation needing him to. Roger finds himself in a difficult situation, and his questionable past appears to be coming back to haunt him. Intriguingly, Roger once dated George’s daughter, who is now a forward-thinking congressional representative – Alexandra, yet another instance of unsubtle naming choices.

Alexandra and George’s wife advise against accepting the commission, but Mullen, an American bound by traditional loyalty, decides to accept it despite signs suggesting that George might be experiencing issues with his mental abilities, such as dementia. This creates an intriguing dynamic, where George is significant yet his grasp on reality is uncertain. The narrative includes some chilling scenes exploring this concept and hinting at the possibility of George transforming into a Washingtonian version of Jack Torrance.

In the series, I find myself in awe as George is partnered with his former lover, Valerie, played brilliantly by Connie Britton. Their history, fraught with past political complications, is skillfully portrayed here as a delicate blend of painful recollections and unwavering patriotism. Even George’s wife acknowledges that no one works more effectively with him than Valerie, and she’s ready to set aside old grievances if it means Valerie can aid George and protect him. Simultaneously, the U.S. President faces a looming deadline, while a growing faction of discontented politicians, led by Richard Dreyer (Matthew Modine), are determined to dismantle the commission.

A Complicated Netflix Series with Great Actors

‘Zero Day’ | Official Trailer | Netflix

Boy, isn’t that quite complex? It’s often the case with political thrillers that they conceal more than one storyline. Zero Day, however, might just surpass that trend. As the narrative unfolds, an assortment of characters and subplots appear that we haven’t even discussed yet. Ranging from a media personality reminiscent of Alex Jones propagating conspiracies, to a lethal figure within the Russian embassy, and a band of tech-savvy hipsters. We won’t delve into Roger’s background here (though let me tell you, Jesse Plemons delivers an extraordinary performance in this role, offering one of the most heartfelt performances of the series).

From a cinephile’s perspective, the intricate dance of characters and interwoven storylines might perplex or irritate certain spectators, yet, it gradually forms into a somewhat logical narrative thread that culminates in a satisfying finale. Admittedly, there are some plot inconsistencies, misleading clues, absurd gadgets, unanswered questions, and other flaws scattered throughout the tale, but the core storyline and character arcs ultimately lead to an apt and rewarding conclusion that leaves you pondering.

In a nutshell, Zero Day showcases an abundance of talent, with all the cast delivering commendable performances, albeit feeling that certain female characters could have been utilized more effectively. Particularly impressive is Plemons, who gives a phenomenal performance, while Clark Gregg delivers one of his best pr*ck roles as a particularly smug character. Modine makes an impact in his brief appearances, blending authority with the unique indignation that only politicians can convey. Britton, Stevens, and especially Caplan give their all, but are sometimes hampered by overly subtle and awkward dialogue, making it difficult for them to truly shine. However, Caplan’s scenes with Plemons are delightful.

Casting Robert De Niro in a Political Thriller

It’s tough to put this delicately, but it appears that Robert De Niro struggles to fully embody the complex character of his role in “Zero Day.” Despite his exceptional portrayals of intense mental states in films like “Taxi Driver” and “Wag the Dog,” his performance here falls short. The role requires a balance between patriotism without political bias, an unsettling display of mental instability, self-doubt, and a hint of the terrifying power that comes from operating outside the law, while also suggesting a character dealing with cognitive decline or some other mental health issue. Unfortunately, De Niro’s portrayal in this series doesn’t reach these heights.

Regardless of how it may affect the perception of Zero Day, it’s hard to ignore De Niro’s prominent role in politics today. Since he stars as a former president in a political thriller, many on the opposite side of the political spectrum are quick to form strong assumptions about Zero Day. Due to his vocal political stance, particularly among conservatives and supporters of the MAGA movement, De Niro has become quite unpopular. Portraying him as an impartial, unbiased messenger of truth in this context is rather far-fetched, given recent developments.

The Netflix series “Zero Day” doesn’t lean towards any particular political ideology. Instead, it delivers a strong critique of politics and power without being overly biased or one-sided. This show is suitable for viewers across the political spectrum, but due to Robert De Niro’s well-known public views, some people might choose not to watch it. It’s unfortunate that certain opinions can deter potential viewers. In today’s world, creating a political series or film without stirring controversy seems challenging. Perhaps we’d need an actor who has never expressed any political stance before. But even if that were possible, I wonder if such a production would be as effective or engaging. The reality is, these are the complex times we find ourselves in.

“Zero Day” on Netflix doesn’t favor one political side, but it criticizes politics and power. People with different political views can watch it, but some might avoid it because Robert De Niro has strong opinions. It’s too bad that some people won’t give it a chance. Making a non-controversial political show or movie is hard these days, maybe we need an actor who never expressed political views before. But I’m not sure if it would be as good without a well-known figure. These are complicated times we live in.

Adding Up the Meaning of ‘Zero Day’

Following a disappointing initial installment, Zero Day unexpectedly transforms into an engaging, witty mini-thriller that subtly mirrors our contemporary political unease. The climax is commendable and unyielding, much like the fates of certain characters. The dialogue strengthens throughout the series, and even Robert De Niro appears more lively in the concluding episode, whether due to the show’s narrative developments or not.

When watching the movie “Zero Day“, there’s an overwhelming sense of sadness and suppression. It seems likely that Republicans might view it as a harsh critique against liberals, while Democrats might see it as a portrayal of conservative incompetence. Similar to Alex Garland’s depiction of the Civil War, the lack of clear perspective could lead to misinterpretation by extremists on both sides or render the movie so ambiguous that it loses its cultural significance.

What struck me as most unsettling while watching Zero Day, was a sense of indifference I felt towards its events. It seemed to me that if the story continued beyond its end, another constitutional crisis would soon arise in the show’s world. After that, an international threat would follow. In no time at all, American troops might be deployed to the Middle East or other regions. A month after the occurrences of Zero Day, it appeared as though the people living there had already moved on, as fresh atrocities and chaos were constantly barraging them throughout their days.

As I sat there engrossed in “Zero Day”, my mind couldn’t help but wander off to the real-world politics unfolding before my eyes. When the credits rolled, I instinctively turned to the headlines, and it seemed like history was repeating itself: America appeared to be disregarding Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity in favor of an alliance with Russia, mirroring our own questionable actions towards Palestine. We’re seemingly planning to ethnically cleanse close to two million Palestinians, transforming Gaza into a luxurious resort chain. The movie was billed as a gripping political thriller, but in light of the global turmoil we’re experiencing, it feels more like a beginner’s course. I can’t help but fear that things are only going to get worse.

Zero Day is now streaming on Netflix. You can watch it through the link below:

Watch Zero Day

2025-02-20 11:33