Zero Day is one of the most compelling political thrillers of recent times: the plot explores events that could happen at any moment.
Zero Day is a TV series consisting of six episodes, recently released on the popular streaming platform Netflix. It depicts a catastrophic cyberattack on the United States. The show, created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheimer, and Michael Schmidt and directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, features an exceptional cast, including the legendary Robert De Niro and the talented Lizzy Caplan.
Without revealing too much, the plot in Zero Day revolves around the elderly and widely popular former President of the United States, George Mullen (Robert De Niro). The current president, Evelyn Mitchell, appoints him to lead a commission with extraordinary powers to handle an unprecedented crisis caused by a massive cyberattack on the country’s systems from an unknown origin. Mullen, tormented by a painful personal experience, faces intense public hostility, fueled by TV personalities and financial lobbyists—groups opposed to any limitations on personal freedoms. Even his own daughter, Alex, takes a political stance against him, as she is assigned to oversee the commission led by her aging father. Amid betrayals, deceptive alliances, and power struggles, the former president, plagued by constant hallucinations, is forced to question not only the righteousness of his actions but also his own sanity.
Anyone with even a basic understanding of computer science knows that the term zero-day refers to a software vulnerability unknown to the developer or manufacturer of a system. Beyond technical aspects, in general, zero-day refers to malicious activities carried out by hackers to exploit unauthorized access to specific systems. These breaches typically occur through the development of dangerous malware that exploits vulnerabilities using various attack methods. The term “zero” symbolically represents the first day of a new era for the attacked system. Throughout the series, the days are labeled as 0+1, 0+2, 0+3, and so on.
This political thriller is one of the most gripping in recent years because it delves into highly plausible themes, making it even more realistic and unsettling. The United States is under attack, but unlike the infamous September 11, 2001, this time, the threat doesn’t come from suicide bombers—it is orchestrated by a mysterious group of hackers targeting every electronic device, from personal computers and mobile phones to the most advanced defense systems. Within moments, the entire country descends into a nightmare: hospital equipment malfunctions, communication systems collapse, and all public services grind to a halt. The attack results in thousands of casualties and injuries, spreading mass panic. It is no longer nuclear warheads that terrify people; rather, as many have theorized, our civilization is threatened by its absolute dependence on technology. The interconnectivity of modern systems, like two sides of the same coin, is both an infinite resource and a lethal danger.
As the plot unfolds, initial suspicions in Zero Day fall on the United States’ long-time adversary, Russia, which has previously engaged in cyberattacks, albeit on a smaller scale. However, the list of suspects quickly expands to include members of subversive organizations, television influencers, and ruthless business magnates. The finale reveals a far more complex and shocking truth, where motives and intentions remain ambiguous. Without giving away too much, it becomes clear that the true goal of the conspiracy is to instill fear—manipulating public opinion, which is both aggressive and increasingly disoriented by its digital identity, unable to distinguish real news from fake news.
This is not the first film or television adaptation dealing with the sensitive topic of cybersecurity. In today’s postmodern era, cyber warfare is considered the new battlefield where humanity’s fate is decided. As far back as 1983, John Badham’s film WarGames depicted the early stirrings of Silicon Valley, which would go on to reshape the world in the decades to come. At the time, the conflict was still centered on the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Americans found themselves dealing with an artificial intelligence system designed to protect them from Soviet threats, inadvertently risking the outbreak of World War III—one of the greatest fears of modern society. Similarly, Michael Mann’s Blackhat (released ten years ago) highlighted the vulnerability of national security infrastructures in the face of cyberattacks and their devastating impact on everyday citizens. The list of such films is extensive, but notable examples exploring the delicate balance between truth, politics, and cybersecurity include Snowden and The Fifth Estate, which depict the frustration of ordinary citizens being unlawfully surveilled by government programs.
One of the most significant themes in the series is the relationship between truth and trust, providing a sharp analysis of political power and the fragility of democratic systems. As repeated in several lines throughout the show, democracy remains the best—or at least the most acceptable—governing system. The series also subtly references contemporary American politics, such as the portrayal of a former president suffering from cognitive decline, reminiscent of Joe Biden, and a current Black female president resembling Kamala Harris—though, in reality, she was defeated by Trump. In other words, the much-celebrated American democracy, continuously under siege by “villains,” must now confront its own internal decay. In the 21st century, traditional political parties have lost their influence, while new power players—such as influencers, tech gurus, and financial moguls—are taking center stage. The protagonist, George Mullen (played by Robert De Niro), appears as a relic of the political system of the past century. His straightforward approach to analyzing political and social scenarios, along with his strong ethical consistency in serving the common good, contrasts sharply with today’s era of extreme individualism, where truth and responsibility have become increasingly elusive.
The direction of Zero Day masterfully captures the chaotic and contradictory nature of our time. The series unfolds more like an auteur thriller rather than a standard TV drama, presenting multiple narrative threads while maintaining a clear focus: uncovering the true mastermind behind the attack. As each episode progresses, the mystery becomes more intense and engaging.
Zero Day is not based on a true story, although past cyber incidents share similarities with the show’s events. For instance, in December 2020, hackers targeted the SolarWinds Orion software, allowing them access to sensitive government data. The U.S. government attributed the attack to Russian operatives. A different incident involved the Colonial Pipeline, one of the country’s major fuel suppliers, which was breached by a notorious cybercriminal group called DarkSide.
As for the concept of a sitting president seeking assistance from a former leader, there have been historical precedents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden consulted Barack Obama to encourage citizens to get vaccinated. Looking further back, after World War II, Harry Truman frequently sought guidance from Herbert Hoover, who had left the White House in 1933. Similarly, during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, John F. Kennedy turned to former President Dwight D. Eisenhower for military strategy advice.
Zero Day was conceived and marketed as a limited series, though certain unresolved aspects in the plot and the finale suggest the possibility of a sequel. Many fans of Robert De Niro are hoping for a continuation. The show’s creators, Newman and Oppenheimer, recently stated in an interview that while the series is “concluded,” they remain open to future possibilities:“We often discuss what could happen in a new season—what would become of Alexandra Mullen? What would happen to President Dreyer the next day? But for now, there’s no official plan…”
