Robert De Niro's Netflix Thriller 'Zero Day' Disappoints an Exceptional Cast – TV Review
Netflix’s “Zero Day,” reminiscent of its hit “The Night Agent,” is another attempt at a conspiracy thriller set in the upper echelons of government. The series borrows elements such as stiff dialogue, murky politics, and a drab color palette from its successful predecessor. Unlike “The Night Agent,” predominantly featuring new faces save for Hong Chau’s curious appearance, “Zero Day” boasts a star-studded lineup led by executive producer Robert De Niro.
Directed by seasoned TV director Lesli Linka Glatter (“Love & Death”) and created by Eric Newman (“Narcos”) with journalists Noah Oppenheim and Michael S. Schmidt, “Zero Day” draws attention for its notable creators. Interestingly, Oppenheim, who co-showruns with Newman, has been marred by controversy as Ronan Farrow accused him of hindering his exposé on Harvey Weinstein, a claim Oppenheim refutes. However, De Niro’s venture into a series lead role at 81 is the main attraction. It’s baffling that the acclaimed actor would choose a project that drags for six episodes while feeling rushed simultaneously.
De Niro stars as George Mullen, a former president tasked with investigating a catastrophic cyber attack causing mass casualties. Mullen is portrayed as the last leader to unite bipartisan support. However, he chose not to pursue reelection following his son’s death during his presidency. The show’s focus on centrist politics is evident, equating the right’s falsehoods with the left’s preoccupation with pronouns. Still, the series drowns these dubious views in a sea of topical themes like tech moguls, aging leaders, and misinformation spread by podcasters, failing to deep dive into any of these subjects.
The A-list ensemble, including De Niro, elevates the show’s prestige, although it doesn’t guarantee quality. Angela Bassett shines as the sitting president, appointing Mullen to head the commission. Jesse Plemons, who previously worked with Glatter on “Love & Death,” plays Mullen’s loyal aide, with Matthew Modine portraying the House Speaker. Other prominent figures include Connie Britton as Mullen’s chief of staff with past romantic ties, Lizzie Caplan as his daughter, Dan Stevens embodying a Ben Shapiro-Joe Rogan archetype, Gaby Hoffmann as a gender-flipped Elon Musk, and Bill Camp as the CIA director. Despite their talents, these performances rarely break through the show’s mediocrity.
“Zero Day” attempts a character study of Mullen, exploring his grief in later years. The series introduces ambiguity regarding Mullen’s mental acuity, starting with a flash-forward of him searching frantically for documents. This scene is quickly resolved, offering little surprise. While depicting an octogenarian president hinted to be Democrat grappling with communication resonates, De Niro’s subdued portrayal lacks emotional impact. Furthermore, the narrative struggles to place Mullen consistently within its world, oscillating between a revered leader and a misuser of power without convincingly establishing either persona. Despite De Niro’s political fervor off-screen, he doesn’t convincingly convey Mullen’s supposed convictions.
Visually, “Zero Day” mirrors its somber story with a dim and murky aesthetic. Its most shocking twists are underwhelming due to poor setup and lack of consequential fallout. Compared to “The Night Agent,” the series doesn’t capture the momentum of an engaging thriller. While it boasts a remarkable cast suitable for a high-caliber drama, “Zero Day” ultimately resembles disposable entertainment and fails to leverage either’s strengths.
All six episodes of “Zero Day” are now available for streaming on Netflix.