Robert De Niro is set to make his major TV debut in Netflix’s forthcoming political thriller, Zero Day.
However, before you dive into this intense thriller, there’s a lighter comedy-drama featuring the legendary actor that’s well worth a watch.
In Zero Day, the acclaimed Taxi Driver star will play former US president George Mullen, leading a team investigating a catastrophic global cyberattack.
This marks De Niro’s first starring role in a TV series and his latest partnership with Netflix following Martin Scorsese’s 2019 crime masterpiece, The Irishman.
The miniseries, predicted to be one of 2025’s biggest streaming sensations, is eagerly awaited by De Niro’s legion of fans, with its release slated for Thursday, 20th February.
In the meantime, film enthusiasts are urged to explore some of the iconic actor’s more light-hearted work ahead of his gripping new thriller, and Netflix has just the ticket.
In 2015, De Niro joined forces with the much-loved actress Anne Hathaway for the uplifting comedy film The Intern, the final feature film from esteemed director Nancy Meyers.
De Niro plays Ben Whittaker, a retired widower who breathes new life into his mundane retirement when he lands a job with Jules Ostin (Hathaway), the CEO of a rapidly expanding fashion start-up.
Audiences were captivated by the tale of an older intern adjusting to the contemporary workplace, which sees him form a heartwarming bond with Jules and even rekindle romance with massage therapist Fiona Farwell (Rene Russo).
Fans are over the moon with their reviews of The Intern, a film they clearly hold dear to their hearts.
In a glowing five-star Google review, one viewer praised its feel-good nature: “I have a thing for feel-good movies, and The Intern is a gem that perfectly fits the bill.”
They carried on lauding the ensemble cast before concluding, “Overall, I loved The Intern. It’s a heartwarming movie that I would personally rate five stars.”
Another thrilled reviewer shared their joy: “The Intern is a delightful, feel-good movie that strikes a perfect balance between humour, warmth, and life lessons.
“The chemistry between De Niro and Hathaway is simply wonderful. De Niro brings a calm, wise, and likable presence to his role, while Hathaway’s portrayal of a modern-day entrepreneur struggling to balance her personal and professional life is both relatable and inspiring.
“The Intern is a delightful blend of humour, heart, and wisdom, perfect for a light watch that leaves you smiling and feeling good about life. Highly recommend!”
A Letterboxd user confessed their affection for the film: “This will always feel like a warm hug for me!! I wish Ben was my grandpa.”
Another elated individual admitted their surprise in a five-star review: “Totally surprised me. I mean this made my day, week, or even month.”
They continued, “It’s been so long since a movie made me happy for entire duration. This film had everything tbh from start to [end].”
And one more fan couldn’t contain their excitement: “Spectacular, fast pacing, motivated, inspirational, happy, smiling, wanna go to work, Anne Hathaway in fashion movies.
“I don’t know how to explain this movie is so good and motivational. This could be my comfort and motivation movie when I’m on burnout, never shut my mouth from smiling while watching this.”
For those wanting to see a less intense side of De Niro or needing a respite from high-octane cinema by the time Zero Day debuts, The Intern is an impeccable choice that won’t disappoint.
The Intern is available to stream on Netflix.
