{"id":105734,"date":"2024-12-19T13:44:55","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T13:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegeek.games\/?p=105734"},"modified":"2024-12-19T13:46:09","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T13:46:09","slug":"the-day-of-the-jackal-does-the-classic-assassin-story-hit-its-mark-in-the-modern-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegeek.games\/2024\/12\/19\/the-day-of-the-jackal-does-the-classic-assassin-story-hit-its-mark-in-the-modern-age\/","title":{"rendered":"The Day of the Jackal \u2013 Does the Classic Assassin Story Hit Its Mark in the Modern Age?"},"content":{"rendered":"

SERIES REVIEW – Who is the Jackal, really? Is he a billionaire who jet-sets around the world from his lavish estate? A fixer who cleans up messes, quite literally? Or just a hired gun who happens to be the best sharpshooter alive? According to Eddie Redmayne and SkyShowtime\u2019s new series, The Day of the Jackal<\/em>, he\u2019s all of these and so much more.<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

At its core, The Day of the Jackal<\/strong><\/em> is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Redmayne\u2019s Jackal earns his keep by taking down society\u2019s elite, charging exorbitant fees for his services. He\u2019s a ghost\u2014his identity remains a mystery, he leaves no trace, and he lives with military-like precision. Redmayne masterfully transitions between personas, exuding warmth and charm one moment and becoming a cold-blooded killer the next. His portrayal pays homage to espionage film legends, channeling the icy precision of Alain Delon in Le Samoura\u00ef<\/strong><\/em> and the chameleon-like adaptability of Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Deadly Game of Cat and Mouse<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a high-profile political assassination, MI6 agent Bianca (Lashana Lynch) is tasked with an impossible mission: track down and eliminate the world\u2019s most dangerous assassin. Bianca will stop at nothing\u2014even if it means leaving a trail of bodies behind her.<\/p>\n

Lashana Lynch shines as Bianca, capturing the character\u2019s inner turmoil as she balances her sense of justice against the bloody consequences of her actions. The series cleverly blurs the lines between hero and villain, posing the question: how different is Bianca from the Jackal? The answer is as unsettling as it is clear\u2014neither is entirely just.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t the first adaptation of Frederick Forsyth\u2019s The Day of the Jackal<\/strong><\/em>. The 1970s film is considered one of the finest British movies of the 20th century, with its target being none other than Charles de Gaulle, then-President of France. Updating this for modern audiences, the new series replaces de Gaulle with a fictional philanthropist whose software, River, promises to reveal how billionaires spend their wealth. For those in power, this level of transparency is a threat they can\u2019t tolerate.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour mission, should you choose to accept it\u2026\u201d<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

For any assassin-centric story to succeed, the assignments must be gripping, and The Day of the Jackal<\/strong><\/em> delivers on that front. While the Jackal takes on only a handful of jobs throughout the series, each episode brims with tension\u2014whether it\u2019s a meticulously planned hit or a pulse-pounding chase. Ironically, despite being the antagonist, the Jackal often draws the audience\u2019s sympathy. His assassination attempts, with their clever setups and high-stakes execution, are undoubtedly the series\u2019 standout moments.<\/p>\n

However, stretching the story across multiple episodes introduces some narrative bloat. The most notable filler comes in the form of Ursula Corbero\u2019s Nuria, who is intended to humanize Redmayne\u2019s character but ultimately represents his one glaring misstep. For a cold, calculated assassin, forming a romantic attachment feels out of place\u2014a fantasy in an otherwise pragmatic world.<\/p>\n

Nuria\u2019s subplot contrasts sharply with the series\u2019 other characters, many of whom are genuinely intriguing despite their brief appearances. Timothy Winthorp (Charles Dance) commands attention with his effortless charisma, evoking Dance\u2019s most iconic roles. Similarly, Richard Dormer\u2019s Norman, a black-market arms dealer specializing in 3D-printed weapons, is a scene-stealer. Eleanor Matsuura\u2019s Zina Jansone also leaves a lasting impression, serving as the Jackal\u2019s enigmatic intermediary.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n