The Day of the Jackal: What Is It About & Where to Watch the New Spy Thriller?
Missed spy thrillers? This one is not bad.
The Day of the Jackal, a novel by Frederick Forsyth, was published more than half a century ago. In 1971, the book told the story of how patriots hired an elusive assassin to shoot General de Gaulle.
It was soon followed by Fred Zinnemann's film adaptation of the same name, an exemplary political thriller. In the late 1990s, a Hollywood remake was released. In it, Bruce Willis' Jackal plots to kill the First Lady of the US. So it was time to move the action to modern times and expand the story to ten hour episodes.
What Is The Day of the Jackal About?
In Munich, a sniper has shot a politician from an incredible distance. The circumstances of the murder intrigue British intelligence, and an MI6 officer named Bianca, who suspects a connection between the sniper and a Northern Irish gunsmith she knows, begins an investigation.
Meanwhile, the criminal himself – a Briton now using the call sign Jackal – is already considering a new assignment. His target is a billionaire techie who plans to release a program that will somehow make all financial transactions transparent.
The Day of the Jackal's Main Asset Is Eddie Redmayne's Brilliant Performance
Eddie Redmayne is a great villain: there is something reptilian about him, but also something vulnerable and feminine. The Jackal speaks all languages, shoots like a god, and drives like a racer. He is also a master of disguise, but at the most crucial moments, the man for some reason still resorts to a cap pulled down over his forehead.
But there is also something human about him that makes you worry about the assassin. For one thing, he loves watching birds. Second, he has a luxurious villa in Spain where his wife and child are waiting for him.
Lashana Lynch's Protagonist Is Not the Strongest Side of the Project
On the other hand, Lashana Lynch is not the strongest side of the series. The idea of making the pursuer as ruthless as the criminal himself is not new and understandable. But in her Bianca – a careerist who lies, betrays, takes hostages, tortures prisoners – there is so little humanity that the Jackal looks less like a sociopath than she does.
Where to Watch The Day of the Jackal?
Five of the planned ten episodes have already been released on Peacock, the intrigue is twisty, the action scenes keep you on your toes, as does Eddie Redmayne's excellent performance.
So, if you miss spy thrillers, The Day of the Jackal, while not ideal, is a worthy choice for every fan of the genre.