If you thought being a cold-blooded assassin was straightforward, think again. The Day of the Jackal takes precision, chaos, and unexpected humor, blends it into a sleek package, and ties it all up with a sniper rifle disguised as a suitcase. I’m calling it now: this is one of the best espionage thrillers of the year.
He’s ruthless and meticulous, yet hilariously human—like when he nervously tries to hold it together in front of his wife after she suspects something’s up. Eddie’s performance is a masterclass in “calm under pressure,” except when his double life as an assassin and family man has him tripping over his own lies.
Lashana Lynch as a mother, a gun specialist, and someone completely out of her depth is an absolute scene-stealer. Her transformation from overwhelmed investigator to someone willing to do whatever it takes is thrilling to watch. You can see the moral weight on her shoulders, but she doesn’t hesitate to get ruthless when necessary.
Speaking of family—an assassin with a whole family? Bold move. Between school runs and plotting his next hit, you can’t help but root for the guy. The chemistry between the Jackal and Nuria is top-tier, and their domestic drama—her suspecting he’s cheating while he’s actually plotting murders—brings a surprisingly relatable tension. Imagine being an international hitman and your biggest problem is your wife telling you, “We need to talk.”
The series doesn’t hold back on showing how preparation is everything for a sniper. Setting up a fan to measure the wind during a kill? Test shots at the actual scene of the crime? It’s ridiculous, but it works. And those gadgets! The specially built sniper, leg cast sniper, and suitcase sniper are enough to make James Bond jealous. It’s some of the most inventive assassin tech I’ve seen in any medium.
And let’s talk about that ending. Just when you think the Jackal has it all under control, as cold as he is when he’s in his feelings he then flips to this clumsy and messy person, it’s a display to remind us that this guy is human after all. The final act delivers some wicked twists and shocking moments that leave you desperate for the next season.
Oh, and a PSA: don’t tell an assassin to “F*** off.” It doesn’t end well. Some characters learned this the hard way.
With stellar gunfights, a moral descent into greed, and Eddie’s nervous energy shining in every scene, this series is a masterclass in tension and drama. It’s not just about the kills; it’s about the messy, beautiful chaos of leading a double life.
The Day of the Jackal doesn’t just aim; it hits the bullseye. And if there’s a sniper apparatus better than this out there, I haven’t seen it.
