19/21
The Jackal is an elusive killer who makes a living by performing hit plays for the highest paycheck. He soon meets his match in the form of a tough British intelligence officer who tracks him down on a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe. Check out our list of renewed and cancelled shows to see if your favourite show has been a success. Forsyth worked as a freelance journalist covering the Biafran war. When that ended, he returned to Britain, unemployed and unsure of what to do next. “I came back at Christmas ’69 completely worn out,” he said. “I had no job prospects, no flat, no car, no savings. Then I got this crazy, crazy idea to write a novel. ‘Everyone said you must be joking or crazy because the odds of it getting published are hundreds to one, even thousands.” Within weeks of its release, the film rights were snapped up. Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars were in the running to play the Jackal in the 1973 film, but the role went to a then-unknown Edward Fox because director Fred Zinnemann thought he could blend in with the crowd. (Airmail). Credits The Graham Norton Show: Denzel Washington/Paul Mezcal/Saoirse Ronan/Eddie Redmayne/Blossom (2024). Eddie Redmayne delivers a mesmerizing performance, embodying the titular killer with a chilling precision that makes him both terrifying and magnetic. Redmayne’s cautious approach to the role heightens the tension, making his every move calculated and necessary. His ability to combine charm with menace ensures that audiences are both repulsed and captivated, capturing the essence of the character’s duality. Unfortunately, LaShawn Lynch’s performance pales in comparison, feeling wooden and uninspired. Her portrayal of the determined intelligence officer lacked depth, often felt one-dimensional, and relied too heavily on clichés. In a series that thrives on nuance and detail, her character’s lack of complexity stands out in a negative way. Overall, the film is a fascinating adaptation, but it struggles with uneven execution at times. Redmayne’s brilliance alone makes it worth watching, but Lynch’s mistakes spoil the experience somewhat.