Zero Day, which Netflix released on Feb. 20, 2025, is a six-episode political thriller that has fast become one of the most-discussed shows of the year. Starring Robert De Niro in his first leading role on TV, the series delves into themes of power, conspiracy, and the fragility of democracy in a world on the brink of chaos. With an all-star cast, witty writing, and a ripped-from-the-headlines narrative, Zero Day is a social-media hangout that political drama and thriller fans will appreciate.
Zero Day Plot
Zero Day opens with a catastrophic cyberattack that kills more than 3,000 people in the United States and plunges the country into chaos. The attack is labeled “Zero Day” and comes with a chilling PSA: “This Will Happen Again.” In response, President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett) turns to her predecessor, George Mullen (Robert De Niro), tapping him to head a commission tasked with investigating the attack and preventing future catastrophic disasters. Mullen, a retired — but respected — warrior reluctant to answer the phone, only to find himself submerging in a conspiracy sausage-making machine of politics and decline.
As Mullen investigates further, he discovers a conspiratorial web of foreign agents, tech billionaires, and shadowy officials. With twists and turns that keep viewers on their toes, the show combines the tension of a conspiracy thriller with the stakes of a political drama.
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The Cast and Performances
De Niro gives a clobbering performance as George Mullen, a man wrestling with his past, his health, and the burden of his obligations. De Niro, meanwhile, brings to Mullen the equal mix of gravitas and fragility that makes him a little bit of a heavy but extremely tough protagonist. The story gains emotional complexity, not least in Cheadle’s scenes with his estranged daughter Alexandra (Lizzy Caplan), who it turns out is living on the other side of town.
The supporting cast is formidable as well. Angela Bassett is President Mitchell, the biggest-gravitas, the biggest-importance character here, and she approaches it with the gravitas and authority necessary. As Mullen’s loyal aide Roger, Jesse Plemons is crisp and steady, while Connie Britton, playing his former chief of staff, helps ground the series with solid work. Dan Stevens, as a Tucker Carlson-like pundit, steals scenes with his go-for-broke performance of a polarizing media figure.
Zero Day Themes and Relevance
Zero Day isn’t just a thriller; it’s a commentary on the state of our politics today. The series takes on issues like disinformation, polarization, and the erosion of civil liberties, making it eerily timely in today’s world. The creators of the show, Eric Newman and Noah Oppenheim, have engineered a story that feels timely and timeless, asking difficult questions about truth, power, and the price of safety.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Zero Day is its indifference to sides. (The characters’ political affiliations are never explicitly mentioned; instead of getting drawn into partisanship, the show touches on bigger, human issues.) This approach allows the series to reach a broad audience of viewers, though some have critiqued the series as insufficiently complex to adequately engage with the issues raised by the very problems they depict.
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Strengths and Weaknesses
The most impressive thing about the show is its ensemble. De Niro, Bassett, and the rest of the ensemble hit their respective lines as if they were on a board, elevating this material into something the creative team intended, i.e. something to watch. Production values are top, too, with sleek cinematography and a tense, atmospheric score.
A couple of caveats, though: Zero Day isn’t perfect. Some of it may feel uneven to viewers, with the middle episodes slowing to focus on the character before the plot races to a conclusion in the last two. But the series also strays toward sensationalism, with plot twists that at times feel more forced than satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Flaws and all, Zero Day is a twisting and enlightening watch, and it is one you should add to your queue. It’s a timely reminder of dozens of things: the fragility of democracy, the dangers of unchecked power, and the stupidity of people with power. With its star-studded cast, incisive writing, and topical themes, Zero Day is a holt to the Netflix lineup and a serious contender for the best show of 2025.
If you need a show that will leave you gasping for breath one moment and pondering the state of the world the next, then Goldbricking’s Zero Day should be your show of choice. Just be braced for a roller coaster — and some sleepless nights.
