Zero Day’s Cyber Thriller Falls Into a Familiar Trap

It’s important to say up top – Zero Day is not a bad series.

To put it simply, this show is genuinely good, offering intriguing ideas, outstanding acting by a top-tier ensemble, and plenty of unexpected turns to maintain your interest and keep you guessing all the way through.

Early on during the series, I felt a slight letdown. Although it was still engaging and never a complete failure, Zero Day left me feeling somewhat disappointed>.

Based on the pre-release trailers and marketing materials, I was expecting a gripping thriller about a cyber attack, one that truly delivers, focusing on the story of ex-president George Mullen as he heads a commission to unravel the mystery behind a crippling digital assault on the United States.

In the course of his investigation, significant, possibly even beyond legal limits, authority is granted to him to ensure that those involved are held accountable, as it’s believed they plan to repeat their actions.

The proposition seemed intriguing, suggesting it would delve into the practical repercussions of such an assault – something we’ve long anticipated.

Reminiscing about the past, I find myself transported back to the year 2022, a time marked by the intriguing debut of Channel 4’s The Undeclared War. Incredibly, I learned just this week that this captivating series is set to make its comeback.

It’s not immediately clear why it was decided to renew the show, especially given the current timing. The series initially gained notice for its gripping and chilling opening trailer featuring Adrian Lester as a fictional prime minister and Simon Pegg as the head of GCHQ, who warned of an impending cyber attack.

The advertising tactic turned out to be quite effective, leading Channel 4 to receive complaints from viewers who mistook an advertisement for a genuine news broadcast and became alarmed as a result.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I must admit that the anticipation for this series was through the roof. However, it fell flat, becoming an aimless and lethargic production that constantly teased us with the prospect of a climactic, significant assault – yet consistently failed to deliver.

Instead, it primarily delved into unnecessary personal conflicts and aimless investigations concerning Russian bot operations.

In the sequence of popular cyber thrillers, it was “Leave the World Behind” that subtly appeared, not initially presenting itself as a typical cyber attack narrative. Instead, the surprise came when it unveiled this aspect as a major plot twist.

The piece delved deeper into the repercussions and destruction brought about by this occurrence, using peculiar architectural embellishments along the way. Instead of wrapping up neatly, it suddenly unveiled a lengthy explanation detailing what was still to unfold just as the credits started playing, hinting that the most captivating parts were yet to be revealed.

The letdown with these two initiatives lies in the fact that the potential for a broad-spectrum cyber attack is an inherently intriguing idea, striking a balance between captivating curiosity and sending shivers down your spine.

I don’t claim to fully grasp the intricate details of how a cyber-attack unfolds, and I can’t definitively say that either of these examples is flawed in its depiction. However, from a storytelling perspective, both examples lack depth because they fail to tap into the inherent curiosity their premises could spark, if only they delved more deeply into them.

Then, we come to Zero Day.

It appears that all signs pointed towards an extraordinary production, given that it stars none other than Robert De Niro, who takes on the role of a former president, alongside Angela Bassett portraying the current one. Moreover, Jesse Plemons, Lizzy Caplan, Connie Britton, and Dan Stevens are also part of the cast, which suggests an impressive lineup coming together for a significant purpose.

It seems that the film doesn’t quite live up to expectations. Contrary to what the trailers suggested, offering a tight, earthy, and morally intricate cyber thriller, Zero Day unfortunately follows in the footsteps of The Undeclared War and Leave the World Behind, struggling with trusting its own concept.

As a fan, I acknowledge that “Leave the World Behind” is an adaptation from a novel, so I’m inclined to give it some leniency as a cinematic tale. However, upon initial viewing, it seems that each of these projects have yet to fully grasp the inherent potency in their original ideas, at least until they are ready for marketing.

Instead of focusing solely on the aspect of a zero-day cyber attack, it aims to cater to a wide range of needs and interests simultaneously.

Indeed, this narrative includes a cyber theme. Additionally, it delves into the intricacies of current American politics – a topic that could potentially benefit from a more extensive exploration in a 60-episode series, rather than the six episodes offered here.

Additionally, the show delves into exploring the influence of media during a crisis, the current state of major corporations and Silicon Valley, as well as the personal struggles of De Niro’s character, ex-president George Mullen, and hidden truths from his past that could potentially be exposed.

It’s intriguing to consider if the plot was developed due to De Niro’s participation in the film. Given that we have Robert De Niro on board, it seems natural to delve deeply into his character’s mindset, which is exactly what should be done.

Instead of saying “The fact that the series is only six episodes should have been a blessing,” you could say “Having a limited number of six episodes for the series could have been advantageous.” This shorter version still conveys the idea that having fewer episodes might have provided benefits such as focus and depth in exploring one topic.

The show captivates us particularly when it delves into the effects of the attack, making the viewing experience more immersive. It seems as if it’s offering something distinctive, intriguing, and emotionally impactful during those scenes – a story such as this should be chilling, and Zero Day is at its most frightening when an attack is unfolding or when it’s focusing on its immediate aftermath.

Rather than maintaining a single focus throughout the six episodes, the series attempts to pack multiple storylines that one might find in a regular American network season (around 20-24 episodes). However, it compresses these storylines so much that none of them carry any significant impact or meaning.

The film “Zero Day” had the potential to be a gripping and nerve-wracking thriller by exploring the actual repercussions of an attack, showcasing how they unfold both on the ground and within political circles. However, the narrative seemed to focus more on uncovering personal secrets and developing relationships instead.

Generally speaking, it makes sense – it appears the thought process is that we need empathy towards these individuals to truly care about their predicament.

To a certain extent, your statement holds water, yet there are multiple paths to reach that destination. Take The Capture as an example.

As a film enthusiast, I found that the show wasn’t your typical cyber attack narrative. Instead, it delved into the chilling possibilities of deepfakes and the misuse of artificial intelligence to sow discord within our society. In the first season, this theme was explored in the context of justice, while in the second, it shifted towards politics.

The story provided rich complexity and intrigue to its characters without overpowering the main plotline with undue complexity.

In simpler terms, Holliday Grainger’s character, Rachel Carey, doesn’t require a standalone plot about her troubled history. Her primary function is to advance the main narrative. Any additional details about her past or characteristics are seamlessly integrated and enrich the story, rather than distracting from it.

In much the same way, although the narrative touched on politics and justice, these themes were always linked back to the primary focus, which was technology. The show did not explore other facets of the political world for their own sake, but rather in relation to the main investigation.

For each season individually, The Capture never failed to deliver a thorough exploration of the key topic, specifically deepfakes. It maintained a balanced approach, offering both educational insights and an engaging narrative that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

Despite my continued belief that a cyber-attack series or movie could be viable, I find myself growing more skeptical with each new release that strays from the core theme. It seems challenging for us to witness the story told in the way I envision it.

Perhaps Season 2 of “The Undeclared War” will offer another chance for improvement. Has wisdom been gained during the three-year gap? Only time will tell.

Regarding Zero Day, I should clarify that while it was not a terrible or even a bad series, it was rather unmemorable. This is quite remarkable considering the talented cast involved.

In a couple of months, it might be common for folks to talk about De Niro having a show on Netflix, and it would be sad if they were to say that.

As a movie critic, I must admit that when I first heard about this film’s intriguing premise, I was confident that the star-studded cast wouldn’t outshine it. However, with a lackluster execution and an unwillingness to delve deeper into the theme, it seems that these renowned actors are indeed the movie’s most captivating aspect.

2025-02-20 11:35

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