Netflix's highly anticipated series Zero Day, led by legendary actor Robert De Niro, explores the severity of political challenges following a catastrophic cyberattack, presenting viewers with complex layers of conspiracy, personal turmoil, and questions of governance.
Set against the backdrop of modern political strife, the six-part limited series follows former U.S. President George Mullen (De Niro) as he heads up the special investigatory Zero Day Commission after the nation experiences devastating cyberattacks. The resulting chaos, leading to over 3,000 innocent deaths and nationwide panic, sets the stage for Mullen's significant return to public service, showcasing his struggle within the political limelight and his tumultuous relationships with those around him.
At the helm of the show is De Niro, whose performance as the respected former president is both authoritative and vulnerable. He grapples with his past and the moral failures tied up with his family, particularly the haunting memories of his late son, Nick, whose death from overdose lingers heavily on Mullen's psyche. Contributing depth to the narrative, Mullen's constant auditory reminder of the 1979 punk song "Who Killed Bambi?" mirrors his guilt and the unresolved tensions with his daughter, Alexandra Mullen (Lizzy Caplan). The song resurfaces throughout the series, serving as both a poignant motif and metaphor for his internal struggles.
Alexandra Mullen embodies the ambition of the younger generation, depicted as striving to carve out her own political identity amid her father's legacy. She is portrayed by Caplan, known for her exploration of complex characters. The dynamic between father and daughter portrays the crumbling of familial bonds exacerbated by the weight of Mullen's former presidential duties and his past failures to support his children, particularly Alexandra, who is now also embroiled in the explosive political narrative. Caplan asserts, "The show examines the current state of the nation and the potential consequences of continuing divisions,” highlighting its relevance to audiences today.
The series also introduces Roger Carlson (Jesse Plemons), Mullen's loyal aide, whose character takes unexpected turns, subverting Plemons' typical portrayal of villains. Carlson becomes intricately entangled with dark forces but heroically aids Mullen's investigation, demonstrating the complexity of human loyalty against overwhelming pressures. Tragically, Carlson's narrative ends with his murder by those seeking to silence him, cementing him as one of the unexpected heroes of the story.
Mullen’s investigation delves deep, unearthing not only external threats but also conspiracies rooted within the government itself. The storyline deftly captures the tension of political disarray caused by misinformation, contrasting it with Mullen's search for clarity and truth. This danger is embodied by Evan Green (Dan Stevens), who embodies the antagonistic media figure manipulating popular sentiment for personal gains. Stevens argues, "Evan Green symbolizes the hypocrisy of people who claim to stand for the common citizen, yet come from privilege."
De Niro's performance brings emotional weight as he embodies the struggle for integrity amid rampant disinformation and political machinations, making Zero Day not just a thriller but also a commentary on contemporary governance.
Viewers have reacted strongly, drawing parallels between the series storyline and current real-world events, emphasizing the prescient nature of its narrative. "It almost feels like we’re past it now. It’s a whole other deal now," Caplan reflects, expressing how eerily similar the series echoes modern societal dilemmas.
Creatively crafted by Eric Newman and Noah Oppenheim, the series aligns De Niro and other stellar cast members to resonate deeply with audiences, offering thought-provoking commentary on ethics and accountability. The notion of survival, both personal and nationally, takes precedence, prompting Mullen to confront his past and decide whether to give way to peer pressures or uphold his principles.
Mullen's character eventually learns he is undergoing intense scrutiny concerning his cognitive fitness for the task laid before him, all amid rising anxieties about the national crisis and the legitimacy of his leadership. These themes of ultimate accountability resonate strongly within Mullen's ethical dilemmas, which De Niro conveys passionately, noting, "Right now, our actual world is scarier." Indeed, Zero Day, now streaming, compels us to question how truth intertwines with modern societal behavior.