Why Robert De Niro’s Netflix Thriller ‘Zero Day’ Misses the Mark: A Candid Review of an Overqualified Cast

One of Netflix’s biggest hits is “The Night Agent,” a conspiracy thriller that dives into the federal government. Now, the streaming giant is trying to capture some of that magic with “Zero Day.” This new limited series struggles with awkward dialogue and muddled politics, similar to its predecessor. It even tackles a cyber attack storyline reminiscent of the film “Leave the World Behind.” However, there’s one key difference: “Zero Day” features big-name stars, including Robert De Niro as an executive producer and lead actor.

Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and created by Eric Newman, along with journalists Noah Oppenheim and Michael S. Schmidt, “Zero Day” has some heavy hitters behind the scenes. It’s interesting to note that Oppenheim faced controversy over his work with Ronan Farrow on the Harvey Weinstein story, a claim he denies. At 81, De Niro takes on a series lead for the first time, but it’s curious why he chose this project, which often feels both slow and rushed across its six episodes.

In “Zero Day,” De Niro plays George Mullen, an ex-president called back to investigate a massive cyber attack that led to thousands of deaths. His character is remembered as the last president to earn bipartisan support, choosing not to run again after his son’s death. The series leans into centrist themes, often blurring the lines between different political ideologies without making a clear statement. Topics like tech moguls, misinformation, and civil liberties float around aimlessly, missing an opportunity for depth.

With De Niro leading the cast, the supporting actors are also notable. Angela Bassett portrays the current president who appoints Mullen, while Jesse Plemons serves as his aide. Matthew Modine appears as the Speaker of the House, and Connie Britton plays Mullen’s chief of staff, with whom he shares a complicated past. Despite this impressive lineup, the performances don’t elevate the story, which feels mediocre at best.

At its core, “Zero Day” tries to be a character study of Mullen, exploring his grief and confusion in his later years. The series opens with a flash-forward that raises questions about his mental state but doesn’t provide enough context. De Niro’s portrayal of a struggling former president holds some potential for emotion, but it often comes off as too reserved and dignified. The script doesn’t fully flesh out Mullen’s character, making it hard to connect with him.

Visually, “Zero Day” is as dull as its plot. The lighting and cinematography leave much to be desired. When plot twists do happen, they feel poorly set up and lack real impact. While “Zero Day” has the feel of a high-quality series, it ultimately falls short of being engaging or entertaining, losing the edge that would make it a guilty pleasure.

All six episodes of “Zero Day” are now available on Netflix.