Slick Thrills with Identity and Intrigue
Sky Atlantic and Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal reboots Frederick Forsyth’s classic into a modern, ambitious spy thriller—and it’s doing so with mixed results.
What Works
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Eddie Redmayne is chillingly captivating as the titular assassin. Critics rave about his “reptilian presence,” slipping seamlessly between lethal efficiency and domestic warmth—especially in scenes with his Spanish wife and child EmpireThe AustralianThe Times of IndiaCollider.
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Lashana Lynch brings serious energy as MI6 agent Bianca Pullman. Her steely determination provides a gripping opposition that deepens the suspense The Times of IndiaCollider.
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Production value is top-tier. Filmed across Europe—from Budapest to Croatia—the series feels more cinematic than typical TV, with globe-trotting set pieces including a Croatian car chase and horseback pursuit EmpireChicago Sun-TimesThe Australian.
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Modern stakes, nuanced writing. The script updates the storyline for today’s world of dark web intrigue and global financial conspiracies—making the Jackal’s hunt feel timely and grounded ColliderThe Guardian.
What Falls Short
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Pacing and filler weigh things down. Some critics feel the 10-episode format pads unnecessary backstory—like revealing the Jackal’s domestic life—that slow down the taut momentum fans expect The Irish TimesThe Guardian.
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Character connection lacks depth. A portion of viewers on Reddit found both the Jackal and Bianca hard to root for:
“There’s not a single character… that we actively rooted for or sympathized with.” Reddit
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Acting divides opinion. While some praise Lynch’s performance, others have slammed it as overly stiff or miscast IMDbReddit+1.
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Visual style drew criticism. A few viewers noted an oddly “soapy” TV look—possibly due to smoothing features—raising concerns in what should feel like a high-end thriller Reddit.
The Verdict
With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 85% and a Metacritic rating of 72, the series generally leans positive among critics Rotten Tomatoes Wikipedia Metacritic. It’s a well-crafted, stylish thriller that reimagines a classic tale with modern flair. But its length and tone might challenge viewers who crave tighter, more focused storytelling.
Bottom line: The Day of the Jackal is worth watching—for Redmayne’s magnetic performance, sleek production, and Hitchcockian suspense. But if you’re after lean thrillers or relatable characters, expect to be tested by its pacing—and sometimes chilly lead.
