A Review of ‘The Day of the Jackal’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THE DAY OF THE JACKAL -- Episode 101 -- Pictured: Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal -- (Photo by: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film & Television Limited)

It’s always a wonderful thing when we can settle in and enjoy a new adaptation of a classic story. Because it means in part, that the story in question is timeless in nature and its return allows for a new generation to pour over its details and its wondrous past by seeking out the other tellings that have come forth. Not to mention, it means… that we get to enjoy a fresh take on that iconic tale, one that will undoubtedly feature new ideas and new concepts, or spotlight something that we’ve all missed by looking over it so many times. But any way you slice it, it’s just a treat to see what a new creative mind can do with a classic story, and this is top of mind today, simply because Peacock is now home to a new version of a classic tale.
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For the first five episodes of The Day of the Jackal debuted on the network today, and well… we absolutely need to spotlight the wonder of this new series. Since it accomplishes a great many things in those first five episodes. Such as bringing back to life the age-old story of good versus evil that the original novel brought forth, courtesy of a plot that mostly resembles what we know about this story. Wherein the Jackal (played by Eddie Redmayne here), a brilliant assassin that can slip in and out of any situation due to his masterfully cool mentality and mastery of disguises, arrives on MI6’s radar when he takes part in the bold assassination of a controversial political candidate in Germany. Which leads to an intense cat and mouse game between the Jackal and MI6 Agent, Bianca (played by Lashana Lynch), as she works to stop him from killing again to bring him to justice.

Which while that isn’t quite the exact plot of the original, the chase was the key, and the chase is here front, and center and it is powerful and engaging to watch these two dance their dance and it is so compelling that it quickly immerses us within a plot that is also updated for modern times. For this has less of the fanciful nature of Frederick Forsyth’s original novel and more of the fury of our world. Since it harbors fascinating commentary on the current political state of the world and its explosive nature, which the Jackal represents here to a tee, and that only adds to the wonder of this story. Since it compels you to finish the journey and see what else it has to say about the escalating violence and rhetoric that now is part of our political world and that lovely twist, is worth the price of admission of alone and is further enhanced… by another surprise from this story.

Because unlike other iterations and adaptations of this story, this one knows how to ebb and flow and be methodical in nature in telling its story. Which isn’t to insult the other stories, but there is something to be said about slowing the plot and giving us time to get to know the characters. Since it helps us to understand what drives Bianca and why she cares so much about justice and of course, it helps us to learn about the Jackal. About how much prep he puts into his kills and into his escape and how meticulous and careful he is about his work. So, he can enjoy his anonymity, and it even gives us a human side to the monster. To remind all of us that men of the Jackal’s stead aren’t born as blood thirsty monsters, they’re molded into them, and this is the chilling end result of that molding and whatever compels men like the Jackal to choose this life.

All of which makes for a supremely compelling new series. One that does indeed put the viewer on the edge of their seat with the action, but leaves them there in the gentler moments, where we learn about what makes these folks tick in an equally as compelling manner. Which may relate to the fact that this show is filled with powerhouse performances. Since Lashana Lynch is simply amazing as Bianca and truly sells the honorable nature of her character and her desire to make the world a better place, and Eddie Redmayne is simply chilling as the Jackal. Since he properly showcases the cold tension that a man of such stature needs to carry to do the work he does. Which makes this, an explosive must-see series. For this one really is impressive and really does demand your attention, courtesy of a delectable twist on a classic story.

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