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Netflix’s ‘Zero Day’ attempts to find the questions of how the world would react to a cyberattack and how we find truth in a world overwhelmed by misinformation.
In just the past two decades, humanity has grown dependent on technology. Everything from public transportations to communication devices is driven by some sort of code; even the way people vote has become electronic. This dependence makes society highly susceptible to cyberattacks, to the point that VPN services have become the norm.
‘Zero Day’ stars the legendary Robert De Niro as Former President George Mullen, Lizzy Caplan as Congresswoman Alexandra Mullen, and Jesse Plemons as Roger Carlson. With this Netflix miniseries, creators Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt dive into how apocalyptic a nationwide cyberattack can truly be in a society that has only known a life with technology.
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The Realism of Fiction
Despite being part of the Conspiracy Thriller and the Speculative Fiction genres, ‘Zero Day’ is grounded in our sense of reality. It touches on the very possibility of a cyberattack in a society that mirrors ours, where almost everything and everyone depends on some sort of technology to live everyday life.
While the show Robert De Niro’s character ex-president George Mullen and his political work in the Zero Day Commission, there are still some societal aspects that have a significant protagonism to the narrative. It greatly plays on how media and news, both professional and independent, not only affect what is discussed and how it is being delivered but also the potential influence that these have on the normal population.
Yet, even focusing on the political thriller aspects, the show homes meticulously designed characters, holding really powerful personal connections to those around them. It explores the definitional borders of friendship and trust, and how these connections can strengthen or weaken themselves depending on the specific situation.
One thing that seems a tad bit contradictory is the continuous use of technology even after the “Zero Day” event happens. It just doesn’t seem logical that after a massive cyberattack, the tools used are those same ones that are the most vulnerable. While the choice of keeping it like this is understandable, it breaks with the immersion and suspense that the piece tries to achieve.
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Portraying Life
Compared to other Political Thrillers from the likes of ‘House of Cards’ and ‘And Tomorrow the Entire World’, ‘Zero Day’ slightly diverges in more ways than just its story.
Something that makes ‘Zero Day’ quite different is its unique use of Visual Effects. These are subtle yet striking, utilizing them alongside key camera angles and lighting to create an astonishing personification of Mullen’s mind, allowing the audience to have a better grasp of the understanding of his processes, allowing these to make a bigger impact compared to as if it was filled with them.
One use of visual effects is seen in the few ways the audience’s perspective is treated, while mostly portrayed as a 3rd-person spectator, there are some scenes where instead of the audience just acting as a viewer from the other side of the 4th wall they are regarded as an actual existent force in the narrative.
The show takes great advantage of the genre’s dark and dimly lit cinematographic environments, not only using them to accurately increase unease but it perfectly mirrors the narrative where everyone feels “in the dark”. Working symbiotically with the intricate sound design to create an immersive environment that complements its unique story.
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A Much Needed Tale
In the last couple of years, humanity has become highly attached to our technology. When we aren’t working from a computer or laptop, we are scrolling through social media or entertaining ourselves with online streaming services like Netflix or YouTube.
While our connection with technology has been there since the beginning, as shown by the reliance ancient humans had on fire and the effects of the first Industrial Revolution, these are incomparable to our current need and use of our technology. Ever since the commercial expansion of the internet that happened in the late 90s, technological advancement has grown at unprecedented speeds, allowing us to access information, connect with others, and entertain ourselves in once unimaginable ways.
Such a rapid pace has reshaped the way we see our world. By compressing what once took decades into mere years, it has allowed newer generations to grow up with technology, becoming highly immersed in the technological world at a very early age, drastically changing how humanity experiences childhood.
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The introduction of the home console Online Multiplayer with the Sega Dreamcast in late 1998 allowed players to connect to the internet in their homes and play with their friends without actually being in the same room as them. Even though the first home console was introduced in 1972, it still required a 2nd player to be physically present to have a multiplayer experience. What just two decades ago was kids playing with friends outdoors or hanging out in arcades quickly turned into playing in online servers with complete strangers from around the world or scrolling through social media.
‘Zero Day’ stands as a reminder to us of the vulnerability that society has placed itself in, emphasizing how crucial our strong reliance on technology has become. It not only compels us to advocate for measures to safeguard our linked world but also warns us of our dependence and addiction to our own creation. Serving as a cautionary tale,
Alerting us of how that which was created with the purpose of ensuring that innovation and security can be used as a tool for our undoing, shifting from tools of security to weapons of vulnerability. It urges us to rethink our approach to security and that it is balanced with its digital foundations rather than fully relying on robust technology in the face of ever-changing threats, ensuring a future where human judgment and foresight strengthen our defenses alongside technological advancements. To maintain our nomophobia on the check, before our own inventions become our downfall.
By Mario Martinez Ignacio
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Mario Martinez Ignacio is a writer from Mexico City. As a child, he spent most of his free time deep-diving into online wikis, which sparked a passion for lore and worldbuilding. Driven by his love for writing, Mario obtained a BFA in Dramatic Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024. With the objective of inspiring others, he fuses writing and education to create narratives that entertain while igniting curiosity and fostering new perspectives, one word at a time.
Mario Martinez Ignacio is a writer from Mexico City. As a child, he spent most of his free time deep-diving into online wikis, which sparked a passion for lore and worldbuilding. Driven by his love for writing, Mario obtained a BFA in Dramatic Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024. With the objective of inspiring others, he fuses writing and education to create narratives that entertain while igniting curiosity and fostering new perspectives, one word at a time.
