Zero Day–Weaponizing Cyberspace
In this Netflix mini-series starring Robert DeNiro, a national security cyber-crisis challenges the US government and its citizenry to face unseen cyber terrorists. Are they domestic or Russian? Zero Day explores both possibilities.
A “zero-day” vulnerability is a flaw in software or hardware that is unknown to the vendor or developers, meaning there’s no patch or fix available to address it. There are “zero days” to fix the weaponizing of cyberspace because the hackers have already exploited all possible solutions.
Enter George Mullen (Robert DeNiro) a well-respected retired US president ( a cross between Bill Clinton and Joe Biden) asked by the current president (Angela Bassett) to reassure the populace that a terrorist cyber-attack can be contained. Across six heart-pounding, serotonin-boosting episodes, Mullen’s search for the truth is hindered by distortions and outright lies that divide the country. In addition, the octogenarian is haunted by personal demons: the loss of his son to opiates and a daughter vehemently opposed to his politics. His mental state is called into question for memory loss, hallucinations, and a weakened grasp on reality. A figure from a bygone era of bipartisanship, Mullen is still a trustworthy statesman to some of both parties in government. For Mullen, “the truth is bipartisan.”
But Mullen is also deeply flawed: both an emotionally distant husband and father inflicting tremendous costs on his daughter (Lizzy Caplan) and wife (Joan Allen) as well as a deeply obsessive politician on a mission to uncover the facts no matter the unconstitutional methods of enhanced interrogation.
Zero Day is, at times, heart-pounding and serotonin-boosting, calling for integrity and truth-telling by world leaders. Ever alert to the theater of power, Zero Day nonetheless sags at times. Yet Zero Day validates that there are those who refuse to sell their souls, no matter the price, even with regard to their own families. A bit more on how Mullen’s wife and daughter view the damage to their personhood and to their love for Mullen would have added even more strength to this mini-series.
Availability: Netflix