Zero Day: A Timely Thriller That Needed More Time

An Image of Actor Robert De Niro standing in front of a desk and an American Flag

Zero Day is a 2025 six-episode series on Netflix created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim and Micheal S. Schmidt. Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter of Homeland and starring Robert De Niro in his first leading TV role, this short series follows a former U.S. president tasked with investigating a massive cyberattack that devasted the nation. The movie is rated 16+ for violence and strong language

The Premise

The story revolves around former U.S. President George Mullen (Robert De Niro), a one-term president everyone admires and trusts. He left the presidency under murky circumstances linked to his son’s death. Now in his 80s, he follows a quiet routine of morning swims, struggles with his memoir, and avoids his complicated relationship with his daughter, Congresswoman Alexandra Mullen (Lizzy Caplan).

Then everything changes. A cyberattack, later called ¨Zero Day¨, shuts down the entire country for just one minute – but in that time, planes crash, trains derail, and over 3400 people die. Every American receives the same ominous message: ¨THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. ¨

In the chaos that follows, President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Basset) and Speaker of the House Richard Dreyer (Matthew Modine) turn to Mullen, the last president people still believe in, to lead a high-powered investigative commission with far-reaching unconstitutional powers.

It’s an overwhelming responsibility, and Mullen knows it. Lately, his mind has been playing tricks on him-lost memories, phantom voices, a song stuck in his head that no one else can hear.

His daughter, chairing the oversight committee, never wanted him to take the Job and doesn’t trust him. Neither do the powerful figures involved in this crisis: his wife (Joan Allen), his longtime fixer (Jesse Plemons), his former chief-of-staff (Connie Britton), CIA Director (Bill Camp), and a host of others who either don’t know what to make of him or just want to see him fail.

As the investigation deepens, many truths and further conspiracies are unraveled culminating in George Mullen being faced with a tough decision.

Cast and Performances

Zero Day assembles quite the cast. De Niro delivers a committed performance, portraying George Mullen as a one-time president grappling with personal and national crises in the aftermath of a cyberattack.

Angela Basset portrays the current president, Evelyn Mitchell. As always, Basset commands attention on screen, but the script underwrites her role.

Joan Allen as Sheila Mullen, George’s wife, is given even less to work with. Her character hints at an interesting dynamic with George that never quite materializes.

Lizzy Caplan takes on the role of Alexandra Mullen, George’s estranged daughter and a congresswoman tasked with overseeing her father’s commission, adding familial tension to the narrative. She is sharp and compelling but the personal life of her character is very confusing.

Jesse Plemons, portrays Roger Carlson, Mullen’s right-hand man with a complex past, while Connie Britton embodies Valeria Whitesell, the former Chief of Staff whose history with Mullen adds depth to their interactions. Both actors deliver solid performances, even though their character development is limited.

A Scene from Netflix Limited Series Zero Day.

The supporting cast includes Dan Stevens as a provocative media figure, Clark Gregg as a dubious billionaire, and Bill Camp as the CIA director, each contributing to the intricate web of political personal intrigue.

While the cast is stacked with talent, the show doesn’t always give them the depth or screen time they deserve.

What I liked About The Movie

The storyline of Zero Day feels incredibly relevant. If you follow U.S. politics, you’ll probably notice some familiar elements- like the tech billionaire in a baseball cap pushing for more inclusivity in government, or the constant talk of bipartisanship and what it really takes to unite a divided country. The movie also dives into the idea of home-grown threats and the deep state, which adds another layer of intrigue and makes it feel realistic.

I also liked how it balanced political drama with action, it never leans too far in one direction, so you get the tension of behind-the-scenes power struggles without losing the intensity of the action sequences. The pacing starts a little slow at first with certain parts of the movie plot intentionally obscured much to frustration, but once it picks up, it pulls you in. By the time things start unfolding, you would want to know what happens next.

The star-studded cast strengthens the film. While some characters lack depth or screen time, the strong performances elevate the movie. Seasoned actors add credibility, making the drama even more compelling.

What Didn’t Work

Without giving too much away, the movie felt rushed. Some key plot points didn’t get the resolution they deserved—was it a weapon, or was Mullen struggling with his own mind? What happened to the Mossad agent? And what about the shady billionaire? These loose ends made the story feel incomplete, like it needed more time to fully develop.

Some characters also felt underexplored. Roger Carlson, Sheila Mullen, and even Angela Bassett’s President Mitchell could have used more depth. The CIA director, who should have been a major presence, barely left an impact. Given the weight of the story, these characters needed more room to breathe.

For a cyberattack that supposedly threw the entire country into chaos, the aftermath didn’t feel nearly as widespread as it should have. The effects felt oddly contained, rather than the large-scale disaster the premise suggested. A few more scenes showing the real-world consequences could have made it feel more immersive.

And then there’s the big reveal—the masterminds behind Zero Day. After such a strong buildup, the payoff felt underwhelming. The setup was gripping, but it didn’t quite hit the mark when the truth came out. Again, it felt rushed. If Zero Day had 10 episodes instead of a shorter runtime, it could fully realize its potential.

Final Thoughts

While Zero Day features solid performances and a hauntingly relevant and timely cyberterrorist threat, its rushed storytelling and lack of charcater depth prevent it from fully delivering its potential. A longer runtime could’ve done it justice.