Netflix's 'Zero Day,' a six-episode conspiracy thriller starring Robert De Niro as a former president, falters under convoluted storytelling and lack of engaging character development. Tasked with investigating a cyber attack, De Niro's character, George Mullen, is burdened by overwhelming powers and personal issues, compounded by an unruly public and opportunistic politicians. Despite a strong cast, including Angela Bassett and Lizzy Caplan, the writing lacks coherence, with repetitive storytelling tactics that sap energy from the plot. The portrayal of key characters ends up being disappointingly shallow, undermining the potential of this high-profile series.
It's surprising to see the talents of two of Hollywood's most skillful actors squandered, but that's true of the cast as a whole, who aren't asked to play characters so much as chess pieces.
Mullen heads up the commission tasked with finding out, and he's been given all kinds of powers that make the Constitution moot, complicating the ensuing political drama.
Frequent montages recap events we just saw happen, serving as a questionable narrative choice that ultimately pads the running time without adding value to the story.
The show suffers from clunky writing that detracts from its potential, exemplified when a character tells Mullen, with a straight face, 'It will be an honor to once again keep the jackals at bay.'
De Niro looks bored and Bassett has been asked to do little more than appear serious and concerned in a few scenes, highlighting a lack of depth in character portrayal.
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