Netflix’s Zero Day is a political thriller that dives into the aftermath of a catastrophic cyberattack on the United States. Starring Robert De Niro as former President George Mullen, the series follows his reluctant return to the political spotlight to lead an investigation into the attack. As he unravels the crisis, the story weaves through layers of conspiracy, government deception, and public paranoia, keeping audiences on edge.
Despite a strong premise, Zero Day struggles with clarity. The narrative often feels scattered, making it difficult to track character allegiances and motivations. Even by the final episodes, there’s a lingering sense that the audience never fully understands what actually happened with the cyber attack.
That said, the acting is top-tier. De Niro delivers a compelling performance, and the supporting cast—including Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, and Angela Bassett—adds weight to the story. The show’s production values are high, and the way it portrays political maneuvering and cyber warfare feels real enough to be unsettling. However, it also takes shortcuts and pushes certain elements too far, undermining its believability at times.
In the end, Zero Day doesn’t bring much new to the political thriller genre, but it’s far from bad. While it may leave viewers with more questions than answers, it’s still a well-acted, engaging watch—just not quite as sharp as it could have been.