You’ve seen him as a wizard, a physicist, and a revolutionary. But honestly, we haven’t really seen Eddie Redmayne like this before. The buzz surrounding the Eddie Redmayne new film—or more accurately, his massive transition into high-stakes television with The Day of the Jackal—is reaching a fever pitch. He’s playing a cold-blooded assassin. A ghost. A man who changes his face like most of us change our socks. It’s a far cry from the whimsical Newt Scamander vibes we’ve grown used to over the last decade.
The thing is, this isn't just another remake of a classic. It’s a complete structural overhaul of Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel. While the original 1973 movie was a masterpiece of slow-burn procedural tension, this version, spearheaded by writer Ronan Bennett, feels frantic and dangerously modern.
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The Jackal in 2026: Why This Version Hits Differently
People keep calling it the Eddie Redmayne new film, but since it’s technically a ten-part series for Sky and Peacock, it’s got more room to breathe than a standard two-hour feature. That’s actually a good thing. In the original story, the Jackal was a cipher. We knew nothing about him. He was just a guy with a custom rifle and a fake passport.
In this updated version, Redmayne plays a Jackal who has a life. He has a wife, played by Úrsula Corberó, who doesn't know what he does for a living. That adds a layer of domestic tension that the original lacked. It makes him more human, and by extension, way more terrifying. When he kills someone, it isn't just a plot point; it's a disruption of his "normal" life.
Redmayne is known for being a bit of a chameleon. He famously spent months training his body to mimic Stephen Hawking’s physical decline in The Theory of Everything. For this role, he went the opposite direction. He’s lean, efficient, and carries himself with a terrifying stillness. It’s a masterclass in "less is more." He barely speaks in some episodes, letting his eyes and the way he assembles a sniper rifle do the talking.
A Global Game of Cat and Mouse
The plot isn't just about one guy. We also have Lashana Lynch playing Bianca, an MI6 officer who is just as obsessed with her job as the Jackal is with his. This is where the show really shines. It’s a dual character study. You’ve got two people who are essentially the best in the world at what they do, and their collision course is inevitable.
- The locations are stunning: London, Vienna, Budapest, and the Croatian coast.
- The tech is updated: No more just hiding in a bush; we’re talking drones, facial recognition, and cybersecurity.
- The stakes feel personal: It’s not just a political assassination; it’s about the cost of living a double life.
Honestly, the pacing is what catches most viewers off guard. It starts fast and just keeps accelerating. Most thrillers try to do this but end up feeling messy. Here, the precision matches the protagonist's personality.
The Problem With Remakes (And Why This One Works)
Usually, when someone touches a classic like The Day of the Jackal, fans get nervous. The 1997 Bruce Willis movie The Jackal was... well, let’s just say it wasn't the critical darling the creators hoped for. It felt like a generic 90s action flick.
This version works because it respects the source material without being a slave to it. It understands that in 2026, an assassin can't just walk through an airport with a funny hat and a fake ID. The world is smaller now. Surveillance is everywhere. Seeing Redmayne navigate a world where it's almost impossible to stay hidden is where the real tension lies.
Redmayne’s Career Pivot: From Period Pieces to Gritty Thrillers
If you look at his filmography, this Eddie Redmayne new film project feels like a conscious choice to shed the "prestige drama" label. He’s won the Oscar. He’s done the big franchises. Now, he’s looking for something with more bite.
There’s a specific scene in the early episodes where he’s cleaning a weapon in a desolate apartment. There’s no music. Just the mechanical click of metal on metal. It’s a bold choice for an actor who is often praised for his expressive, emotive performances. Here, he’s a blank slate. He’s a professional.
Technical Precision and Practical Effects
The production team didn't lean too heavily on CGI. You can tell. When things explode, they feel heavy. When a bullet hits a target, the sound design is jarringly realistic. This grounded approach helps sell the idea that this could actually happen. It moves away from the "superhero" assassin trope and back into the realm of gritty realism.
- The custom-built sniper rifle used in the show was designed to look like something a high-end engineer would create, not just a standard military weapon.
- The prosthetic work for Redmayne's various disguises is subtle enough to be believable in person, rather than looking like a Mission Impossible mask.
What to Expect Next for the Franchise
Is this a one-off? Probably. The story is self-contained, based on the original structure of the hunt. However, given the massive streaming numbers and the critical acclaim for Redmayne’s performance, there’s already chatter about "The Jackal" becoming a brand.
Whether it continues or not, this has redefined how we see Redmayne. He’s no longer just the guy in the waistcoat. He’s a formidable action lead who can carry a heavy, dark narrative without losing the audience's empathy.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Viewers
If you're planning to dive into this, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the 1973 original first. Not because you need it for the plot, but to appreciate how much they’ve updated the tradecraft. It makes the modern tech shifts much more interesting.
- Pay attention to the sound design. The show uses silence as a weapon. If you're watching on a laptop, use headphones. The foley work on the gadgets and weapons is incredible.
- Check out the "The Good Nurse" on Netflix. If you want to see the stepping stone between Redmayne's "nice guy" roles and the Jackal, his performance as Charles Cullen is the perfect bridge. It shows his ability to play someone deeply unsettling.
- Keep an eye on Ronan Bennett’s other work. If you like the gritty, realistic dialogue in this, check out Top Boy. He has a knack for writing characters who live on the edge of society.
This project proves that the "assassin" genre isn't dead; it just needed a fresh face and a much darker tone. By the time the final credits roll, you'll likely never look at a cleaning kit or a long-distance vista the same way again. The Jackal is back, and he’s more precise than ever.