The Jackal is an elusive assassin who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. He soon meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer who tracks him down in a thr... Read allThe Jackal is an elusive assassin who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. He soon meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer who tracks him down in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe.The Jackal is an elusive assassin who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. He soon meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer who tracks him down in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe.
- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 18 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'The Day of the Jackal' is a compelling spy thriller with standout performances, especially Eddie Redmayne's intense portrayal. Lashana Lynch's role as the MI6 agent is criticized for being unconvincing. The series is praised for its high production values and engaging storyline but faces criticism for plot inconsistencies and pacing issues. Despite these flaws, the overall reception remains positive, with hopes for future improvements.
Featured reviews
Lynch is completely miscast. Her acting is poor. Why she was cast in this role when there are plenty of actresses to be better at it. It baffles me. Her character is not interesting just another role of an obsessive agent.
Eddie Redmayne can do anything, his range as an actor is impressive from theater drama, musicals, films. He never disappoints. In this role, he is solid in anything he performs.
The plot is interesting and catching.....funny how we cheer for the Jackal.... Not for the MÍ 6 agent. The series location is impressive and the plot is high octane thrill. It is not comparable to the original, this is a worthy adaptation to our current times.
Eddie Redmayne can do anything, his range as an actor is impressive from theater drama, musicals, films. He never disappoints. In this role, he is solid in anything he performs.
The plot is interesting and catching.....funny how we cheer for the Jackal.... Not for the MÍ 6 agent. The series location is impressive and the plot is high octane thrill. It is not comparable to the original, this is a worthy adaptation to our current times.
I must agree with many other reviewers, this is a great production with good atmosphere and Eddie Redmayne does a great job in the lead role as the Jackal but the female lead just ruins the whole thing. It's a total miscast using an actor who, can't show any facial emotion regardless of the situation and who almost approaches overacting possibly in an effort to make up for the lack of understanding or appreciating the character. The character is obviously meant to be confident and experienced but it's portrayal is one of a cocky 'I know best' woman who for one, has no appreciation of evidence walking the suitcase through the general office. She's just so irritating and unbelievable.
I certainly did not have Eddie Redmayne as The Jackal on my streaming series bingo card for this year but there you go. It's great to see a classic novel given such a lavish production and it all plays really well as far as I'm concerned. The locations look gorgeous, the action sequences thus far, have been gripping and the performances have been compelling. Like other reviewers, I don't buy Lashana Lynch as the MI:6 operative and feel she was miscast in the role. On the flip side, it's always good to see Charles Dance flexing his acting muscles. Úrsula Corberó is lovely to watch on screen though I fear she's been a little underused.
Otherwise, a fine piece of old school cloak and dagger entertainment.
Otherwise, a fine piece of old school cloak and dagger entertainment.
As has been mentioned by many other reviewers, Eddie Redmayne is fantastic in the role of "The Jackal."
Cold, calm, calculated, ruthless. Everything you'd imagine an assassin to be, but contradicted by his family-man act. Something Eddie portrays brilliantly.
Unfortunately, the MI6 agent, played by Lashana Lynch, falls WAAAAYYY short of competing in this acting game.
Her character feels disjointed - the contradiction between MI6 agent, and family "homebody," so expertly portrayed by Eddie - doesn't work. Her character is just "unlikable" at best; downright annoying, most of the time.
Thankfully, there's enough screen time for Eddie to offset this.
Tense, gripping and genuinely really watchable. Most of the other characters are well acted and thought out. The set-pieces are impressive and unlike a lot of films/shows, not so dark you struggle to see anything.
Don't let the female lead prevent you from watching this fantastic adaptation - just accept you'll probably dislike her after the 1st episode, and you'll be fine!
Unfortunately, the MI6 agent, played by Lashana Lynch, falls WAAAAYYY short of competing in this acting game.
Her character feels disjointed - the contradiction between MI6 agent, and family "homebody," so expertly portrayed by Eddie - doesn't work. Her character is just "unlikable" at best; downright annoying, most of the time.
Thankfully, there's enough screen time for Eddie to offset this.
Tense, gripping and genuinely really watchable. Most of the other characters are well acted and thought out. The set-pieces are impressive and unlike a lot of films/shows, not so dark you struggle to see anything.
Don't let the female lead prevent you from watching this fantastic adaptation - just accept you'll probably dislike her after the 1st episode, and you'll be fine!
Eddie Redmayne was truly brilliant in this, he was on point for all the different characters he's plays on the show, and makes an excellent villain, however you are always rooting for him... because the female lead (Lynch) isn't great.. she comes off as insanely arrogant, and cold hearted, even to her own family and colleagues and in no way do you want her to catch him. She shows no emotion at any point in the series, and you end up just hating her character. However the jackal - you see 2 sides, his assassin side but then the side he spends with his family, where you understand him a bit more.
I loved the different location shots across Europe, and the fact the jackal knows these different languages.
I really hope there's another season, but think they need to rethink the female lead.
I loved the different location shots across Europe, and the fact the jackal knows these different languages.
I really hope there's another season, but think they need to rethink the female lead.
Did you know
- TriviaFrederick Forsyth was working as a freelance journalist covering the Biafran War. When it ended he returned to Britain, unemployed and unsure what to do next. He said: 'I came back Christmas '69, thoroughly skint. I don't have a likelihood of a job, don't have a flat, don't have a car and don't have any savings. Then I had this crazy, crazy idea to write a novel. 'Everybody said you must be joking or mad because the chances of even getting it published are hundreds to one, even thousands.' Within weeks of publication, the film rights were snapped up. Some of Hollywood's biggest stars battled to play the Jackal in the 1973 film but the role went to the then unknown Edward Fox because director Fred Zinnemann thought he could pass invisibly in a crowd.
- GoofsBesides one aerial drone shot of Tallinn (Estonia), other locations were clearly not filmed in Tallinn.
- How many seasons does The Day of the Jackal have?Powered by Alexa
- where can I WATCH episode 11 of The day of the jackal
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- День шакала
- Filming locations
- Villas Rosa dei Venti, Gornji Rabac 14b, 52221, Rabac, Croatia(Jackal & Nuria's house in Cadiz, Spain.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Color
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