Robert De Niro is leading Netflix's newest project Zero Day and it already seems like it could be one of the streaming service's biggest releases of the month. This political thriller marks a significant moment with De Niro taking on his first ever starring role in a TV series. If you are someone who gets even slightly worried about cyberattacks this show might just become your latest obsession or maybe your worst nightmare.
Netflix seems to have found a successful formula with thrillers centered around cyberattacks. Think back to Leave the World Behind a movie that really took off on the platform. It explored a cyberattack causing widespread chaos and became one of Netflix's most watched original films in late 2023. People clearly have a strong interest in seeing these kinds of scary scenarios play out on screen.
In Zero Day De Niro is not only the star but also an executive producer. This is another first for him as it is the first time he's both acted in and produced a TV show. Let's get into everything you should know about Zero Day including its impressive cast.
Robert De Niro's TV Series Debut: A Must-See Political Thriller You Can't Ignore
De Niro Takes Center Stage In A Terrifyingly Relevant Story
In Zero Day Robert De Niro plays George Mullen a former US president who is still highly respected. When a massive cyberattack throws the nation into disarray and causes many deaths Mullen is called upon to lead a "Zero Day commission". According to Netflix the series will show “disinformation runs rampant and the personal goals of powerful people in tech Wall Street and government all clash. Mullen’s search for the truth forces him to face his own hidden secrets while risking everything important to him.”
Eric Newman the show's producer mentioned in a Netflix interview how much De Niro contributed to the show. Newman said De Niro "very much became our partner in this process — very involved read everything at every stage and it’s been an incredible honor and privilege. You can count on one hand the actors and actresses in history who bring this level of seriousness depth and skill to their work.”
Why 'Zero Day' Could Be Netflix's Next 'Leave the World Behind' Sized Hit For the Streamer
Cyberattack Thrillers Are Clearly What Netflix Audiences Want
Leave the World Behind's success on Netflix proves viewers are drawn to stories about cyber threats. That movie pulled in a massive 4.5 billion viewing minutes in December 2023 alone. This shows a real appetite for content that explores our modern anxieties especially those related to technology and its vulnerabilities. Zero Day seems perfectly positioned to tap into this same audience.
With De Niro at the helm and a plot that deals with a large scale cyberattack Zero Day has all the elements to become just as popular as Leave the World Behind. The show is tapping into a very real fear in today's world the fear of digital infrastructure collapsing and the chaos that would follow.
A Star-Studded Cast Brings 'Zero Day' To Life In This Political Drama
Beyond De Niro: A Cast Full Of Famous Faces Enhances The Series
The cast of Zero Day is packed with talent beyond just Robert De Niro. The series also features Jesse Plemons Lizzy Caplan Connie Britton Joan Allen Matthew Modine Angela Bassett and Clark Gregg. This ensemble cast adds even more weight to an already compelling premise. Having such recognizable and respected actors involved certainly elevates the show's profile and appeal.
Each of these actors brings their own level of credibility and skill to their roles. Their collective presence suggests that Zero Day is a high quality production with serious acting talent to back up its intriguing storyline. This is not just a star vehicle for De Niro it is a true ensemble piece.
Delving Into The Realism Of 'Zero Day' Cyberattacks In Netflix's New Series
Understanding The Terrifying Reality Behind The Show's Premise
The title Zero Day refers to a specific type of cyberattack that is particularly dangerous. A zero-day attack happens when hackers exploit a flaw in software that the software developers themselves don't even know about yet. This means there's "zero days" for the developers to fix the problem before it's used for malicious purposes. This kind of attack is what Zero Day on Netflix will likely explore making the threat feel very real and current.
This concept of unknown vulnerabilities being exploited for maximum damage is genuinely frightening. It highlights how much we rely on digital systems and how exposed we can be to unseen threats. Zero Day will likely play on this fear making for a truly gripping and unsettling viewing experience.
What Critics Are Saying About Robert De Niro's Performance and Zero Day Series
Early Buzz Suggests De Niro Is Excellent In His First TV Lead Role
Robert De Niro himself has compared taking on this TV role to “swimming the English Channel” emphasizing the challenge and scale of the project. He mentioned feeling the pressure to "keep up with everything even as simple as knowing the lines" given his extensive involvement in almost every part of the six-episode series. At 81 years old De Niro is still pushing himself and taking on demanding roles.
Early reports suggest De Niro's performance is a major highlight. His presence is described as bringing "gravitas pedigree and talent" to the series exactly what you would expect from such a legendary actor. Critics are pointing out that De Niro's casting was key to giving Zero Day the authenticity and credibility needed for a story about a former US president dealing with national crisis.
Is 'Zero Day' Worth Watching? What To Expect From Netflix's New Thriller This Week
Prepare For A Tense Gripping And Thought-Provoking Political Thriller
If you enjoy political thrillers with a strong dose of real-world anxiety Zero Day seems like it will be a must-watch. With Robert De Niro leading an all-star cast and a story tackling a very relevant and terrifying threat of cyberattacks this series has a lot going for it. It promises to be tense thought-provoking and possibly even a bit too close to reality for comfort.
Zero Day arrives on Netflix this Thursday and if early reactions and the talent involved are anything to go by it could easily become your next binge-watch. Get ready for a deep dive into the dark side of technology and political power with Robert De Niro guiding you through the storm.