‘The Day of the Jackal’ review: Eddie Redmayne is riveting

The story of “The Day of the Jackal” was first revealed in Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel, which follows a mysterious assassin; Fred Zinnemann then adapted it for the big screen in his 1973 film. Now “Top Boy” creator Ronan Bennett has put his spin on the thriller as a 10-part Peacock series (airing on Sky in the UK) with Eddie Redmayne and Starring Lashana Lynch. With 86-year-old Forsyth working as a consulting producer, Bennett has created a dynamic drama that is a cat-and-mouse game between an impeccable chameleon and the law enforcement agent determined to stop him.

The series opens in Munich with an elderly man mumbling to himself. The viewer soon discovers that the man is the Jackal (Redmayne) in disguise, about to begin a bloody task. Some time later in London, at MI6 headquarters, weapons specialist Bianca Pullman (Lynch) hears about the shocking murder of a German politician. After finding out that the trigger was pulled at a distance of more than two miles, it becomes a compulsion for her to find the killer.

Here, Bennett offers something different from the usual action thriller. The jackal works alone, but he is not an island or a man without compassion. In the first episode, we are introduced to Nuria (an impressive Úrsula Corberó), for whom the Jackal has the highest respect. He has wrapped his employment away from her to maintain the facade he wants to present. Yet his deception wreaks havoc on both of them as the story progresses.

Similarly, although Bianca’s husband, Paul (Saul Rimi), and teenage daughter, Jasmine (Florisa Kamara), are aware of her involvement with MI6, they are unaware of the dangers of the job. In “The Day of the Jackal”, the role of a British intelligence officer is not flashy. Rising through the ranks and completing a mission requires agents to neglect their personal lives and doggedly pursue their mission. This determination is a quality that Bianca and Jackal share.

Beyond the phenomenal cinematography and gasp-worthy action sequences, the characters drive this series. Neither Bianca nor the Jackal is a decent human being. Bianca is relentless in her work and often treats her family as an afterthought. Lynch is fierce and hyper-focused in his portrayal. Meanwhile, callousness is a trait the Jackal has long demonstrated. Redmayne’s calm demeanor is predatory, attracting audiences as well as his prey. It is therefore shocking every time he strikes.

The jackal also makes mistakes. He spends a lot of time correcting mistakes and changing things on the fly. Bennett showcases the cracks in the veneer of the mastermind, adding to the show’s realism and enabling Redmayne to present glimpses of the Jackal’s humanity. He kills quickly and without remorse. Still, on a few occasions, he feels sorry for his work, but not enough to quit.

As poignant as “The Day of the Jackal” is, it’s not flawless. While most of the series is absorbing and layered, Episode 6 is a puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit the bigger picture. Despite some critical turning points, the plot drags forward before picking up at a furious pace in the final four episodes.

Despite the mid-season speed bump, “The Day of the Jackal” is a genuinely engaging drama. Based on Forsyth’s beloved novel, Bennett’s modern retelling includes a complex web of espionage and a story of two goal-obsessed people. Jackal and Bianca’s professions are still central, but they are fully realized people with personal lives, obligations and a will to win. Carefully presented and beautifully detailed, the series is a breathless adventure to the end.

The first five episodes of “The Day of the Jackal” premieres Nov. 14 on the Peacock. New episodes are released weekly on Thursdays.