The first five episodes of The Day of the Jackal are ambitious and a solid TV adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel and Fred Zinnemann’s 1973 film. They lay the foundation for a slick, gripping thriller, with Eddie Redmayne leading as the enigmatic and meticulous assassin, the Jackal, and Lashana Lynch as his determined investigator. The series modernizes the classic cat-and-mouse tale while maintaining its old-fashioned thriller roots.

The show establishes the Jackal as a calculated and highly disciplined professional from its opening scenes. The introduction alone showcases his ingenuity, and I loved that. Seeing his intricate plan unfold caught both his target and me off guard, it was a masterclass in deception and planning, giving me a clear sense of the precision and cunning that define the character. That same eye for detail is showcased for Lynch’s Bianca Pullman and it added layers of tension to the show, as I knew I was in for a good time. This meticulousness defines the series, balancing high-stakes action with quieter moments that delve into the personal sacrifices these characters make for their missions, for one it’s to kill the targets he’s paid to take out, and the other is to catch the assassin.

The scope of the series feels grand yet grounded, hopping across Europe without succumbing to unnecessary extravagance. The stunning cinematography captures each location beautifully, adding a visual flair that elevates the story, and makes me feel like we were in the big league. The pacing is deliberate, slowly building tension until it becomes almost unbearable, and that totally kept me invested.

Eddie Redmayne is captivating as the Jackal, effortlessly shifting between his clean-cut façade and the sinister assassin lurking beneath. His ability to look innocent and/or creepy works in his favor. His performance captures the duality of the character -charming and deadly – with ease, making him both magnetic and quite chilling to watch. Lashana Lynch brings grit and determination to her role, providing a grounded counterpoint to the Jackal’s calculated persona. Together, their performances create a compelling dynamic that drives the series forward.

The show’s production is sleek and polished, with a soundtrack and theme song that give it a James Bond-esque vibe. While the music occasionally feels a bit overdone, the overall aesthetic works well for me, balancing classic spy-thriller elements with a modern edge.

One of the series’ strengths lies in its attention to the personal lives of its lead characters, showing how their high-stakes jobs affect their relationships and humanity. The emotional toll of living a double life, whether as a ruthless assassin or a relentless investigator, grounds the story, making the characters more relatable even as their jobs lead them into morally complex territory. These moments of vulnerability provide emotional depth amid the tension. However, there’s a noticeable laxity in the behavior of some characters in high-stakes roles that disturbed me. They exhibited a lack of urgency or attention to detail that elevated – in this case – Bianca’s brilliance but undermined the otherwise gripping narrative, because I had a hard time thinking that her superiors would be so near incompetent.

The Day of the Jackal is shaping up to be an excellent thriller, combining a modernized plot with the timeless intrigue of its source material. While it stumbles slightly with occasional lapses in character motivation, the series compensates with strong performances, beautiful visuals, and a steadily building tension that keeps me on edge. As the season progresses, it promises to dive deeper into the deadly game between hunter and hunted, leaving me eager to see how the rest of the story unfolds.

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