After an in medias res second that’s later revealed to be a really low-cost fake-out (significantly, people, it is okay to not begin your massive streaming sequence with an in medias res scene), “Zero Day” cuts to the chase by unleashing a devastating cyberattack in its first jiffy. The assault solely lasts a minute, and but, that is sufficient time to stitch whole chaos and end in 1000’s of deaths because of the full failure of expertise. The assault additionally comes with an ominous message despatched to seemingly each cellphone in America: “THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.” Determined for solutions, U.S. President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett, taking advantage of an underwritten half) decides to assemble a fee to analyze the assault. Picked to guide this fee is former President George Mullen (De Niro), who we’re informed is likely one of the final American presidents to take pleasure in 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 well-liked, and is seen as the right option to get to analyze the assault.
Mullen is apprehensive: with assist from Congress, the fee has been granted the facility to do virtually something, basically shredding the Structure within the title of attending to the reality. Mullen’s spouse, former First Girl Sheila Mullen (Joan Allen), tells him that he might be strolling right into a political lure by agreeing to guide 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 precise course … or so he thinks. After all, virtually instantly, the previous President begins embracing dictator-like tendencies. Earlier than the sequence has ended, Mullen will instruct these working beneath him to round-up seemingly harmless residents and in a single occasion, interact in full-blown torture. Time and time once more, Mullen tries to justify his actions within the title of doing what’s proper for the nation, however the present makes it blatantly clear that it is a man giving in to amoral darkness. On the identical time, “Zero Day” additionally appears to wish to let Mullen off the hook by suggesting he is not in his proper thoughts, both because of sickness or another nefarious clarification. 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 probability of societal collapse looming.
De Niro is generally 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 attention-grabbing, there is a working bit that has Mullen seemingly stricken by each a tragedy in his previous and in addition the very actual menace that he is perhaps affected by some sort of neurological impairment. That is highlighted by having Mullen consistently hear the Intercourse Pistols track “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 again and again. By the a hundred and fiftieth time the completely terrible track performed over the soundtrack, I used to be prepared to show the showcase or at the very least hit the mute button.
De Niro is backed up by an enormous, acquainted forged — along with Bassett, Allen, and Caplan, the sequence 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 may 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 big, Connie Britton as Mullen’s former Chief of Workers, and the all the time welcome Invoice Camp because the director of the CIA. All of those performers are gifted and do positive work right here, however Stevens, who focuses on taking part in freaky little weirdos, makes the largest impression, in all probability as a result of his character will get to go so massive and over-the-top as he riles up his fanbase.
