After an in medias res second that’s later revealed to be a really low-cost fake-out (severely, of us, it is okay to not begin your large streaming collection with an in medias res scene), “Zero Day” cuts to the chase by unleashing a devastating cyberattack in its first couple of minutes. The assault solely lasts a minute, and but, that is sufficient time to stitch whole chaos and lead to hundreds of deaths as a result of full failure of know-how. The assault additionally comes with an ominous message despatched to seemingly each telephone in America: “THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.” Determined for solutions, U.S. President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett, benefiting from an underwritten half) decides to assemble a fee to research the assault. Picked to steer this fee is former President George Mullen (De Niro), who we’re advised is likely one of the final American presidents to get pleasure from bipartisan help from the American public. Mullen solely served one time period, deciding to not run for re-election within the wake of a household tragedy. However whereas his time in workplace was brief, he stays widespread, and is seen as the proper option to get to research the assault.
Mullen is apprehensive: with assist from Congress, the fee has been granted the ability to do virtually something, primarily shredding the Structure within the identify of attending to the reality. Mullen’s spouse, former First Woman Sheila Mullen (Joan Allen), tells him that he may very well be strolling right into a political lure by agreeing to steer the fee, whereas Mullen’s daughter, Congresswoman Alexandra Mullen (Lizzy Caplan) flat-out tells him to not take the job. Mullen, nonetheless, decides that he is the perfect man for the gig as a result of he is a person of integrity and may steer issues in the appropriate course … or so he thinks. In fact, virtually instantly, the previous President begins embracing dictator-like tendencies. Earlier than the collection has ended, Mullen will instruct these working beneath him to round-up seemingly harmless residents and in a single occasion, have interaction in full-blown torture. Time and time once more, Mullen tries to justify his actions within the identify of doing what’s proper for the nation, however the present makes it blatantly clear that this can be a man giving in to amoral darkness. On the identical time, “Zero Day” additionally appears to need to let Mullen off the hook by suggesting he isn’t in his proper thoughts, both as a result of sickness or another nefarious rationalization. Within the midst of all this, the aftermath of the primary assault and the looming menace of extra assaults to return successfully tears the nation aside, with the actual likelihood of societal collapse looming.
De Niro is usually reserved within the a part of Mullen, though he appears to essentially thrive within the moments the place the ex-POTUS turns into thuggish and violent. To make the character extra fascinating, there is a operating bit that has Mullen seemingly suffering from each a tragedy in his previous and in addition the very actual menace that he may be affected by some type of neurological impairment. That is highlighted by having Mullen consistently hear the Intercourse Pistols tune “Who Killed Bambi?” in his head, and if I am being brutally sincere, I have to admit that I want the showrunners had picked a much less annoying tune to play over and time and again. By the a hundred and fiftieth time the completely terrible tune performed over the soundtrack, I used to be prepared to show the showcase or no less than hit the mute button.
De Niro is backed up by a giant, acquainted solid — along with Bassett, Allen, and Caplan, the collection additionally options Jesse Plemons as Roger, Mullen’s right-hand man who’s as much as some shady stuff, Dan Stevens as Evan Inexperienced, a loudmouth pundit who appears to be an amalgamation of Alex Jones and numerous different divisive, slimeball media personalities who realized they might make a fortune spouting conspiracy theories and unfiltered hatred, Matthew Modine because the sinister Speaker of the Home, Gaby Hoffmann as an Elon Musk-like tech large, Connie Britton as Mullen’s former Chief of Workers, and the at all times welcome Invoice Camp because the director of the CIA. All of those performers are gifted and do fantastic work right here, however Stevens, who focuses on enjoying freaky little weirdos, makes the most important impression, in all probability as a result of his character will get to go so large and over-the-top as he riles up his fanbase.
