Robert De Niro Netflix Thriller ‘Zero Day’ Utterly Fails an Overqualified Cast: TV Review

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Among Netflix’s most acclaimed series is “The Night Agent,” an erratically coherent conspiracy thriller that takes place within the upper echelons of government. Given its success in Netflix’s data-driven approach, it makes sense to delve deeper into this genre with “Zero Day,” a limited series that shares stilted dialogue, muddled politics, and a dull color scheme with its highly successful forerunner. (In exploring the aftermath of a catastrophic cyber attack, “Zero Day” even mirrors a plot, if not the focus or tone, with Sam Esmail’s film “Leave the World Behind,” another Netflix favorite.) The only distinction is that while “The Night Agent” featured mostly newcomers, save for Hong Chau in an unexplained wig, “Zero Day” boasts a star-studded cast, with Robert De Niro serving as an executive producer.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say that “Zero Day,” directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, who’s famous for “Love & Death,” and created by Eric Newman of “Narcos” fame, along with journalists Noah Oppenheim and Michael S. Schmidt, has some big names attached. However, it’s important to note that there have been allegations against Oppenheim regarding blocking reporting on Harvey Weinstein, which he denies. But what really caught the attention of the two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro, at an impressive 81 years old and taking on his first series lead role, was this very project. It’s quite intriguing, yet unfortunate that a show that, spanning six episodes, manages to be both sluggish and hurried at the same time, is what attracted such a talented actor like De Niro to the small screen.

Robert De Niro portrays George Mullen, a former president called back to duty to lead an investigation into hackers responsible for a nationwide computer failure that resulted in thousands of casualties. Known as the last commander-in-chief to secure bipartisan backing, Mullen chose not to run for reelection following his son’s death while he was in office. This background sets the stage for the show’s tendency to favor balance and centrist agreement, even going so far as to equate right-wing acceptance of falsehoods with left-wing enthusiasm for pronouns. Unfortunately, this questionable analysis of our society’s problems is overshadowed by a multitude of loosely relevant themes, none of which “Zero Day” delves into deeply enough to make an impact. The roles of tech monopolies, the elderly in power, misinformation-spreading podcasters, and the decline of civil rights all merge into a confusing mix that borders on relevance without ever fully achieving it.

The fact that Robert De Niro is at the top of the cast list suggests the high-caliber actors who follow in the project. Angela Bassett portrays the president, who selects Mullen for the commission; Jesse Plemons from “Love & Death” plays Mullen’s loyal aide and advisor, while Matthew Modine is Speaker of the House. Additionally, Connie Britton takes on the role as Mullen’s chief of staff with whom he has an extramarital past, Lizzie Caplan acts as his daughter, Dan Stevens portrays a character resembling Ben Shapiro and Joe Rogan, Gaby Hoffmann plays a gender-swapped version of Elon Musk, and Bill Camp is the director of the CIA. It’s almost remarkable, given the unremarkable nature of “Zero Day,” that none of these talented actors’ performances transcend the ordinary.

In simpler terms, the television show “Zero Day” delves into the character of Mullen as he grapples with persistent grief in his later years. The show subtly raises questions about Mullen’s mental state, starting with a premonitory scene where he appears disoriented while sorting through papers. However, this initial scene is quickly resolved in the following episode, providing minimal insight. The portrayal of an elderly president, who seems to be a Democrat and struggles with speech, stirs empathy but fails to evoke strong emotions due to De Niro’s restrained performance.

The show also falters in establishing Mullen’s place within its fictional world, shifting his character from a trusted figure to an abuser of power and back again without convincingly justifying either his actions or his reputation. Given Robert De Niro’s real-life political activism, the portrayal of this politician lacks authenticity and conviction.

The aesthetic of “Zero Day” shares a similar dullness and muddy quality with its narrative, much like the infamous beach scene in “House of the Dragon,” but stretched over six hours. When the twists finally arrive, they fail to make an impact due to insufficient build-up or lasting consequences. Despite sharing a structure with “The Night Agent,” “Zero Day” falls short of generating the momentum even a less demanding show can create through exciting plot developments. “Zero Day” boasts an ensemble that rivals high-end TV series, yet it fails to capture the essence and energy these shows usually provide. In the end, it lacks the strengths of both types of productions.

All six episodes of “Zero Day” are now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-02-20 17:26