Netflix has debuted its latest miniseries, "Zero Day," which immediately grabs viewers’ attention with its high-stakes premise. The series kicks off with cyberterrorists launching devastating attacks on America, resulting in chaos, including trains derailing, planes crashing, and approximately 3,000 deaths. Amid the fallout, President Evelyn Mitchell, portrayed by Angela Bassett, appoints former President George Mullen, played by Robert De Niro, to head up the commission investigating the catastrophe.
Mullen, remembered for his popularity during his single term, becomes the ideal candidate to lead the inquiry, but the narrative quickly reveals beneath-the-surface tensions and personal demons driving his quest. The show’s gripping storyline examines Mullen's desperation to unearth the truth behind the attacks, daring to question whether he will breach legal and ethical boundaries to protect national security.
The initial assumption involves foreign adversaries, potentially Russia, as culprits behind the attacks. Yet as Mullen embarks on his investigation, led by key aides like loyalist Roger Carlson (Jesse Plemons) and former Chief of Staff Valerie Whitesell (Connie Britton)—with whom he shares complex personal history—it becomes evident these external threats may not be the whole story.
To bolster the drama, Mullen faces challenges within his family, particularly dealing with daughter Alexandra (Lizzy Caplan), who finds herself tasked with overseeing the investigation. Their strained relationship complicates the commission’s objectives and adds layers of tension to the plot. Alexandra’s disapproval of her father's handling of the investigation intensifies when she uncovers deep-seated conflicts involving her family's past, including Mullen's extramarital affair and the secret existence of her half-sister, Lily.
Tragedy strikes when Carlson is found dead, ostensibly due to drug complications, as pressure mounts on Mullen to reveal the identity of the perpetrators. The plot thickens with the introduction of Monica Kidder (Gaby Hoffman), who plays the role of tech billionaire and significant suspect involved with the malwares linked to the attacks. Kidder's character, akin to business moguls like Elon Musk, adds another unpredictable twist as she gets trapped within her complex web of deceit.
Despite Mullen’s proactive measures and potential leads, the trail becomes murky, leading to moral quandaries around the government’s intention—including whether Mullen should conceal the truth to preserve national integrity. The narrative suggests darker motivations, with elements of betrayal among government officials indicating the attacks might arise from domestic conspirators.
Unraveling the underlying plot reveals shocking connections: key government figures, including Speaker of the House Richard Dreyer (Matthew Modine) and Alexandra, are intricately involved. Their intent is twisted yet deeply rooted—the conspirators believe creating chaos and fear will unite Americans to revive trust and collaborative governance.
With each episode, Mullen grapples not only with the pressures of leadership, but as the inquiry reaches its climax, he struggles with his declining mental state, experiencing hallucinations and confusion raised by perhaps the covert operation of Proteus, a cyber weapon developed for psychological control. The series teases viewers over whether Mullen's deteriorated state is due to age, trauma, or manipulation. The hallmark of his experience lies with recurring visions, particularly the haunting question of "Who killed Bambi?"
Zero Day doesn’t just tease the idea of corporate and governmental overreach; it implores viewers to examine the price of political gamesmanship. Just as turmoil reaches peak levels after the truth is revealed during Mullen's live congressional address—where he’s poised to cover up the government’s involvement—his ultimate act of bravery is to challenge the status quo. Fueled by his daughter’s letter confessing her role and echoing the desire for transparency, Mullen shockingly defies orders to button up the narrative.
Delivering truth live on TV, Mullen exposes the conspirators set to fuel the attacks, shocking viewers and plunging the nation—and himself—into chaos. The gripping finale raises ethical debates over politics, truth, and loyalty. It leads viewers to question whether preserving power trumps individual moral stance.
Chaos ensues post-speech, as public unrest simmers, reminding audiences of contemporary worries around misinformation and political violence. Mullen's determination to confront uncomfortable truths leaves him with significant sacrifices, aiming to give America—a country still grappling with divides—an opportunity to heal.
The layered narrative extends watching beyond the summit of political thrillers, fostering conversations about the relevance of ethics and consequence within today’s political gridlock. Viewers inevitably arrive at the question: can honesty really transcend political affiliations, or does the quest for truth lead to destruction?
With the end of "Zero Day," viewers are left reflecting on deceptive political plays, personal well-being, and the overall integrity of leadership. Full of compelling performances, unexpected turns, and philosophical takeaways, the show concludes with Mullen acknowledging the complexity of truth, leaving viewers concerned yet intrigued about what may come next.
All episodes of "Zero Day" are available for streaming on Netflix, allowing audiences to revisit this intense, thought-provoking political thriller.