Hey Colin Farrell, your competition at the Emmy Awards may be close to home. The new version of The Day of the Jackal, with Eddie Redmayne in the title role in a great action series on Star Plus, deserves all the attention. The name suggests it is another attempt to remake the classic The Day of the Jackal, but it is more of an “update”. Well done!

Co-starring Lashana Lynch, Jackal is the typical cat and mouse of government agents trying to stop terrorists from killing innocents, with a well-structured script and luxurious production quality at the cinema level. What else can be said other than don’t miss it?

The original, a copied and brilliant film

Frederick Forsyth‘s bestseller was a sensation in 1971. It was the height of the Cold War, still speaking to a post-World War II generation, and the suspenseful story revolved around the French police’s efforts to prevent the assassination of President Charles de Gaulle.

Set in France in the early 1960s, we follow how the French paramilitary organization, the OAS (Secret Army Organization), tries to kill the president and eventually hires a British professional assassin, known only by the codename “The Jackal.”

With its success, of course, Hollywood came knocking. Director Fred Zinnemann chose two main narrative axes: Jackal’s meticulous plan to carry out the assassination and the French police’s relentless investigation to stop him before he can accomplish his mission. The film is often cited as one of the great examples of well-made thrillers and remains relevant for its clinical portrayal of intrigue and pursuit.

At the time, part of the film’s great success was its focus on precision and realism. There are no stylistic exaggerations or caricatured heroes; Everything is narrated with a methodical, almost journalistic rhythm, which keeps the viewer attentive to the details. The greatest boldness, however, was in the casting. Zinnemann chose the actor Edward Fox then not known outside the United Kingdom, for the main role. This was vital to the success. An interesting fact: Edward is the father of the actor Freddie Fox, who is in House of the Dragon and has also appeared in Slow Horses and The Great.

The Jackal is a unique character. A villain far from conventional, he is a pragmatic and charming professional, whose coldness and competence make him as intriguing as he is frightening. Although we know little about his past, his magnetic presence dominates the screen. In the series, Eddie Redmayne is perfect in the role.

The Jackal’s counterpoint is Inspector Claude Lebel (Michael Lonsdale), whose discreet and logical approach contrasts with the killer’s charisma. The duel between these two characters is the film’s core, representing the eternal struggle between order and chaos, system and individual. In the series, it is Bianca (Lynch) who fulfills this role, but she is not exactly sympathetic or “fair,” which makes the series even more interesting.

The tension in the film is built in a patient, almost documentary-like manner. There is no manipulative soundtrack or gratuitous explosions. Instead, the suspense arises from the Jackal’s meticulous preparation and the investigators’ strategies, culminating in an ending that is both inevitable and surprising. Director Fred Zinnemann is known for his attention to detail, and here he creates a stark and compelling atmosphere, balancing political drama with the urgency of the plot, keeping the viewer immersed in the complex narrative.

The script, written by Kenneth Ross, is faithful to Forsyth’s novel and emphasizes the precision of the events, without resorting to emotional artifice. The dialogue is economical, reflecting the clinical tone of the story, and Edward Fox delivers an iconic performance as the Jackal, conveying a mix of charm and brutality that makes him unforgettable. Michael Lonsdale is equally effective as the methodical Lebel, demonstrating how intellect and persistence can be just as powerful weapons as violence.

Another highlight is Jean Tournier‘s cinematography, which uses authentic locations and simple framing to reinforce realism. France in the 1960s is captured with a sobriety that amplifies the tension, and Ralph Kemplen‘s editing, which masterfully manages the film’s pace, balances scenes of silent action with moments of investigation, which keeps the narrative cohesive and engaging.

One of the greatest appeals of the 1973 film is that, despite being a work of fiction, the film is based on real events, such as the opposition to the de Gaulle government. This mix of reality and fiction increases the sense of plausibility, making the plot even more disturbing.

The Real Jackal

Although in the film, the series, and the remakes the killer uses the codename “Jackal”, he is not real. Still, there is a “jackal” and he was indeed the inspiration for the character, even if he has no direct relation to The Story of The Day of the Jackal. The real one is a notorious Venezuelan terrorist named Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, who was only nicknamed “Carlos the Jackal” after the release of the 1973 book and film.

Carlos was a Marxist militant and mercenary active during the 1970s and 1980s, who worked for several terrorist organizations, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and is responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, including the kidnapping of OPEC ministers in 1975. He was given the nickname “The Jackal” after a sensationalist report claimed that he had been found with a copy of the book The Day of the Jackal. Although there is no direct connection, the nickname stuck due to his reputation as a ruthless hunter and master at evading pursuit. Carlos was captured in 1994 in Sudan and is imprisoned in France, where he is serving multiple life sentences for murder and terrorism.

The influence of the classic on remakes

The praise and success of The Day of the Jackal – for avoiding clichés of the genre – inspired a series of films and series that seek to portray the pursuit of murderers or terrorists realistically. Its influence can be seen in works such as the series 24, for example. The direct “remake”, citing the name “Jackal”, was in 1997, The Jackal, which modernized the story and changed central aspects of the original plot. Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, the film stars Bruce Willis as the Jackal and Richard Gere as the agent who pursues him.

Other titles that suggest “inspiration” from the 1973 classic is The Assignment, also from 1997, with a thriller about the hunt for an international assassin, which shares similarities in tone and narrative. Critics consider that the Bourne franchise also has its origins in the Jackal because the assassin’s precision and meticulous pursuit inspired elements of the films. In fact, The Day of the Jackal may have only had one official remake, but its influence has certainly spread widely across the political thriller and action genre.

The new series, Jackal, adapts the classic story to modern times, maintaining the essence of the espionage thriller. The production, developed by Ronan Bennett (Top Boy) is directed by Brian Kirk (2020) and premiered in November 2024 on Disney+.

In the plot, Eddie Redmayne plays the “Jackal”, a professional assassin who faces an intense pursuit across Europe, led by a British intelligence agent, Bianca (Lashana Lynch). The cast also includes Úrsula Corberó (La Casa de Papel), Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), and Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker). Unlike the original film, which focuses on the assassination plot against Charles de Gaulle, the series expands the geopolitical context and explores the protagonist’s moral complexity further, highlighting him as an anti-hero.

The series is already seen as one of the best debuts of 2024 in the action and suspense genre, thanks to the combination of remarkable performances, an updated setting, and an electrifying narrative. The soundtrack also caught my attention, the playlist is on the way!

The successful proposal of Jackal was to maintain the special focus on updating the proposal, with great results. The greatest success is having the award-winning Eddie Redmayne in the main role. The actor brings psychological complexity to the Jackal, seeking to make him more than just a villain. He is truly empathetic and convincing. And Lashana Lynch brings the necessary intensity to her character, an agent determined to capture the killer. The duo is perfect.

With filming in real locations in Europe, including Paris, Munich, and London, to ensure authenticity to the plot, the production team highlighted the use of modern urban environments that reflect the tension of the narrative. And yes, if you pay attention, there are easter eggs in the costumes and other details of the series.

One of the focuses of the production was to explore the role of the assassin as an “anti-hero”, deepening his moral ambiguity. The current political context was incorporated to give more relevance to the plot, as well as it seeks to explore modern technology as a tool for both the Jackal and his pursuers, something that was not present in the original narrative for obvious reasons.

There is no way to recommend Day of the Jackal more. Certainly one of the best releases of 2024. And yes, Eddie can give Colin a hard time… what now?

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