Netflix viewers have flocked to binge-watch the new political conspiracy thriller starring Hollywood legend Robert De Niro, marking his first-ever starring role on television. Premiering on the streaming platform this week, "Zero Day" features the Academy Award-winning actor as former United States president George Mullen, who is thrust back to the forefront of responsibility as he navigates the fallout from a nationwide cyberattack.
"Zero Day" depicts Mullen heading the Zero Day Commission, tasked with investigating the origins of the devastating attack, which led to chaos and countless casualties across the nation. Described as a show rife with political ambition, disinformation, and personal struggles, Mullen’s relentless quest for the truth risks exposing his own dark secrets. Before the show’s release, Netflix teased, 'disinformation runs rampant and the personal ambitions of powerbrokers collide.' This combination of personal and political stakes has certainly attracted viewers, launching the series to the third spot on Netflix's charts shortly after its debut.
“This series is incredible! The themes, story, and performances are astonishingly great, deep, and moving. Highly recommend,” said Andrew on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewer Michael added, “I’ve binge-watched the whole series and I was hooked.” Another viewer, Gabs, echoed this sentiment, excitedly stating, “Zero Day on Netflix is so good! Binge the whole thing in one night!”
Despite the warm reception from some audiences, critiques of "Zero Day" have surfaced as well. Metro's review remarked on the show's "mind-blowing premise" but suggested it lacked execution, stating it could have rather packed the same punch as a movie. "The interactions between characters feel repetitive and unnecessarily dragged out... it is still worth the watch," the review concluded, lamenting the unsatisfactory resolution compared to the explosive start.
Other viewers were less enthusiastic. Magnus lamented, “Oh dear – that's not good. No atmosphere, very little drama, amazing, considering the scenario. Bland script.” Mario criticized the show harshly, asserting, “It’s sad Netflix spent money on this terrible and awful series. De Niro sucked, script sucked.” Another viewer, Ralph, pointed out the predictability of the plot, tired of being lectured through movie dialogue, and criticized De Niro's tired performance.
Speaking to Netflix's Tudum, executive producer Noah Oppenheim remarked on De Niro's casting, noting, “George Mullen is a character who inspires confidence and projects strength and integrity at first glance.” He added, “But then, beneath the surface, you have somebody who is deeply emotionally complex.” The show also features prominent actors such as Angela Bassett as US President Evelyn Mitchell and Jesse Plemons as Mullen’s former aide Roger Carlson, alongside Lizzy Caplan portraying Mullen’s daughter, Alexandra, who struggles to create her own identity outside her father's shadow.
Following almost 60 years of acting primarily on the big screen, De Niro’s venture onto television with "Zero Day" has sparked considerable interest. Yet, it has also become evident how difficult it is for even accomplished actors to resonate with audiences through the episodic format. Despite being from the creator of the acclaimed series "Narcos," early indications suggest "Zero Day" might not achieve the success its production values suggest it should.
Currently, the series holds just 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers rating it only 6.5 on IMDb. One critic, TV reviewer Michael Ghanem, tweeted, “Zero Day is boring, wastes a stacked cast, and worst of all, has nothing to say. Just watch "Mr. Robot" instead.” Here, he suggests audiences look to "Mr. Robot," another critically-acclaimed show centered around cybercrime, which has maintained high praise with a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, renowned for its tightly woven narrative and complex characters.
Meanwhile, De Niro discussed his experience of filming the series during his promotional tour. During his appearance on BBC's "The Graham Norton Show," De Niro described the challenge of pacing performance across six hours: “It’s like doing three features back-to-back. There’s a real pace to it. There’s lots of dialogue, and exposition— which can be difficult.” He likened it to swimming the English Channel, where one must keep pushing forward without losing momentum, indicating the demanding nature of such serialized storytelling.
So, as viewers dissect whether or not "Zero Day" meets expectations, the mixed responses make it clear: catching the right blend of compelling storytelling and character development remains as tricky as pulling off the high stakes of its plot. With Netflix’s history of limited series, it looks unlikely there will be another season, leaving fans to ponder whether the actor will once again tread the television waters after what is clearly both a difficult and rewarding experience.