ZERO DAY
Starring: Robert De Niro, Angela Bassett, Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Joan Allen, Connie Britton, Dan Stevens, Matthew Modine, Bill Camp, and McKinley Belcher III
Creators: Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt
AMARÚ
Zero Day starts off as a straightforward political mystery, but as the story barrels forward and the twists keep piling up, Eric Newman & Noah Oppenheim’s tense writing allows the stacked ensemble to flex their more-than-capable acting chops. There’s present-day political commentary mixed with science fiction elements that shouldn’t work together, but the show’s grounded nature pulls the hodgepodge off. It’s a tad bit overwrought and can feel a little messy at times, but watching Robert De Niro spar with Angela Bassett, Lizzy Caplan spar with Jesse Plemons, and Joan Allen absolutely demand the screen makes Zero Day a worthy watch.
ROBERT
Post-Lost, I was a major proponent of FlashForward, a show where everyone on Earth loses consciousness for 137 seconds to see their future. Zero Day reminded me of a less fantastical version of that crossed with House of Cards, where everyone is impacted by a global event that takes lives and mounts political intrigue. The difference between these programs is that I felt FlashForward’s mystery was more compelling since the plot dynamics of Zero Day play out stupidly for six episodes. A few good performances can't save what is an overall benign thriller that's less effective than a pop-up ad.
QUENTIN
Zero Day is a great example of how a star-studded cast can elevate terrible writing without saving it because, despite the ensemble’s collective 15 Oscar and 32 Emmy nominations, this political conspiracy thriller is a mess that only barely reaches “somewhat watchable” status. The entire cast does the best they can with the material, with most getting at least one awards-worthy scene, but on the whole, cringy dialogue, silly twists, and plot points that are somehow rushed in the face of laggy pacing undermine a series that takes itself way too seriously as it tries to lightly comment on current events without picking a side.
BRYAN
When one is told a Netflix series stars the likes of Robert De Niro, Angela Bassett, and Jesse Plemons, it’s an easy addition to the watchlist. Despite all the promise on paper, the results are otherwise middling, to say the least. The stacked cast is doing their damndest to carry Zero Day on its back, but it mirrors the plethora of airport thrillers that lack any ounce of thrills or intrigue to keep the plot moving forward. It's utterly forgettable by the end, and not even very entertaining, which may be the show’s biggest sin.
