Netflix’s Zero Day, a six-episode miniseries exploring the aftermath of a devastating attack on critical infrastructure, fails to deliver despite its intriguing premise. The show delves into how people would react to such an event and grapples with themes of truth, power, and paranoia.
However, beneath its surface-level topics lies a disappointing and formulaic thriller that relies on tired tropes and convenient plot devices. The main character, George Mullen (played by Robert De Niro), is underutilized and often phoned in, while the supporting cast is saddled with scant characterization.
The show’s biggest problem is its lack of understanding of computer technology and the consequences of a real-world attack on such systems. Instead of delving into the implications of such an event, Zero Day glosses over them in favor of shallow, self-satisfying moments of “both sides are bad” rhetoric.
As the story meanders through various plotlines, it becomes increasingly exasperating, relying too heavily on familiar tropes and stereotypes rather than genuine storytelling. The show’s attempts to tackle real-world issues come across as heavy-handed and lacking in nuance.
Despite a few moments of promise, Zero Day ultimately succumbs to its own laziness, failing to deliver a satisfying narrative or meaningful commentary on the themes it presents. With a talented cast and intriguing premise, this miniseries falls flat due to its numerous missteps and lack of depth.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/zero-day-review