Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to watch Peacock’s newest show: The Day of the Jackal. This globe trotting thriller feels like a mix of Bond and Mission: Impossible, but with a unique shifting perspective between protagonist and antagonist.
Eddie Redmayne stars as The Jackal - a cold, calculating assassin whose unparalleled skill with a sniper rifle puts him on MI6’s radar. While he could’ve easily been portrayed as a typical, emotionless villain, Redmayne’s nuanced performance ensures that the character isn’t simply a one-dimensional hitman. The Jackal is a man with his own code, showing hints of vulnerability, emotional depth and occasional compassion, which makes him more human than expected. You might catch yourself rooting for him at times, which is a testament to the show’s ability to blur the line between hero and villain.
On the flip side, Lashana Lynch’s MI6 agent brings a fierce intensity to the role of the pursuer. Her character, while similarly driven and determined, isn’t without her own flaws. She’s a classic hard-headed agent, unwilling to play by the rules or be stifled by bureaucracy, which makes for a compelling contrast to the Jackal’s more calculated approach. The show doesn’t simply treat her as a foil to the villain but gives her enough depth to be a worthy adversary - and even more than that, a fascinating character in her own right.
The show’s variety of international settings heightens the thrill and intensity, hopping between countries, showcasing the true scope of this deadly cat and mouse game. The action sequences are brutal and punchy, with fantastic attention to detail in how the Jackal’s weapons and tactics are portrayed. There are plenty of nail-biting moments throughout, but I especially love how the series never relies on pure spectacle or over-the-top stunts like some of its blockbuster counterparts. I was also impressed with its ability to avoid stale genre trappings, although it does stumble over a few familiar spy thriller clichés from time to time.
The impressive production value is exactly what you’d want from this type of show. It’s sleek, sexy and polished with a level of care that feels cinematic. If you told me this was part of the M:I or Bond universe, I’d believe it. The cinematography makes the most of its varied locales, with sweeping shots of stunning cityscapes and lush countryside. The dynamic camera-work is impressive, lingering on small details that show how much care went into certain elements. The sniping sequences in particular are expertly shot, giving us a peek through the scope while the Jackal lines up and calculates his shot. The sound design deserves a mention as well, from the crackle of a distant sniper shot to the moment the bullet makes impact, and everything in between. Volker Bertelmann scores the series with a stylish balance of classical and electronic, and Celeste’s gorgeous theme song is the perfect intro.
The Day of the Jackal is an impressively assembled thriller that balances both sides of a tense manhunt. Eddie Redmayne disappears into the role of ruthless assassin, while Lashana Lynch makes for a worthy adversary, set on taking him down. Just as the Jackal is on MI6’s radar, this series needs to be on yours.
4/5
Review by: Benjamin Garrett