Robert De Niro likes to keep himself busy. But now, in his sixth decade of acting, which includes legendary roles in films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and his recent work Killers of the Flower Moon, the two-time Oscar winner found himself slightly overwhelmed by his first TV series, Zero Day, now streaming on Netflix.
“It was like doing three features back-to-back. It was a long haul, and I had to keep on top of it all the time to be ready to shoot these scenes,” De Niro, 81, admits during a video interview from New York City.
Set against the backdrop of contemporary political upheaval, Zero Day features De Niro as George Mullen, a former one-term president drafted by the current commander-in-chief, played by Angela Bassett, to lead the investigation following a deadly, 9/11-style cyberattack. The show was filmed during the last U.S. presidential election campaign, and co-creator Eric Newman expressed the urgency and relevance of its themes.
“We were both very concerned about our country’s relationship with the truth,” Newman stated. “Noah [Oppenheim] was the head of NBC News, and he had a unique, experienced take on how Americans were processing their news.” Such themes mirror De Niro’s own vocal criticisms of Donald Trump over the years.
Throughout the series, Mullen grapples with the overwhelming barrage of misinformation. Surrounded by characters like antagonistic House Speaker (Matthew Modine), crafty political fixer (Jesse Plemons), and estranged Congresswoman daughter (Lizzy Caplan), Mullen’s world embodies the chaos of current political landscapes.
Newman pointed out how Mullen’s inability to discern truth from fiction serves as both metaphor and commentary on modern society’s interactions with information. “It seemed like an interesting theme and world to set a story,” he said. With nods to historical events, the show doesn't explicitly frame the political division as Democrat versus Republican but suggests it highlights the lost bipartisanship of Mullen's presidency.
De Niro’s performance wasn’t modeled on any single president but instead drew from interactions with various leaders over the years. “I got it from interviews or what I’ve read, seeing speeches they made,” he explains. His character’s poignant dialogue offers insights reflective of his own public commentary.
“You’re not behaving like an American or a patriot,” Mullen implores during one emotional segment, as he fervently urges Americans to unite for the common good. “We’re supposed to be standing up for each other. We’re supposed to be helping each other.”
Despite its star power and relevant themes, the show has been met with mixed reviews. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the series currently holds a critics' score of 57% and an audience score of 49%, indicating polarized responses from viewers.
Many reviews praise De Niro, with the Daily Telegraph noting, “The main reason to keep watching is De Niro, whose star power drives the show.” The Times added, “This manages to meld the addictive nature of traditional network TV with Netflix’s glossy production values to produce a highly watchable drama.”
Yet, not all feedback has been positive. Critics from RogerEbert.com pointed out, “One of the most overqualified ensembles... keeps Zero Day watchable, but you have to turn off your brain to stop it from making you crazy.” Such sentiments reflect the show’s struggles with pacing, dialogue, and certain plot elements.
TheWrap’s review mentioned, “At six episodes, Zero Day still feels too long; it probably should have just been a Netflix movie.” Consequently, some critics felt overwhelmed by its ambition, with AV Club noting, “There are so many groan-worthy lines... it’s hard to take any of the insights this show has about our political climate seriously.”
Even with critiques, De Niro emphasized the importance of the series’ message, hoping viewers internalize ideas around truth and democratic values. Mullen warns of unchecked power, saying, “Destroying democracy is not the way to save it.”
“I hope they think about [that line] and the whole thing,” he adds as the series wraps up. Zero Day is now streaming on Netflix, inviting audiences to engage with its tense narrative and provocative themes.