5 The Day of the Jackal episodes so iconic that even good IMDb ratings couldn't justify them

The political thriller series inspired by Dreferick Forsyth's novel and the 1973 film, The Day of the Jackal (2024) received amazing reviews from IMDb. According to reports, some episodes stood out not just for the quality but also for being intense and divisive, that even their good IMDb rating couldn't justify them.

Episode 1 itself, which received an 8.2 IMDb rating with Edward Fox’s Jackal reimagined in a modern context, while the performance of Eddie Redmayne caused goosebumps. The episode sets the tone for the show with its eerie minimalism and cold colour palette. And this episode isn't the only one. Read on to know about more such episodes of The Day of the Jackal.

Here are the 5 episodes of The Day of the Jackal that even good IMDb ratings couldn't justify them

Episode 1

As mentioned, episode 1 successfully sets up the eerie backdrop and haunting feel of the show when the cold, calculated assassination in Istanbul ruthlessly infiltrates an office building and kills multiple innocents in order to kill his true target, a high-profile politician. He then assassinates him from a record-breaking distance during a hospital visit.

The episode also showcases Bianca, who begins investigating the case, pursuing her old asset, Alison. When Alison refuses to cooperate anymore, she arrests her daughter, who later dies in her custody, highlighting the dark side of Bianca's tactics.

Episode 4

Next on the list is episode 4, with an IMDb rating of 7.8. Why is it iconic? Because it follows a single 24-hour timeline, showcasing a real-time race against a potential assassination. He eliminates a personal target, but the emotional fallout causes him to slip up during his return to Spain. His wife, Nuria becomes suspicious of his behaviour. To control the damage, the Jackal arranges a meeting in Paris and feeds her another calculated lie to maintain the facade.

On the other hand, Bianca tracks down Alison’s husband and engages in a brutal faceoff, showing how her pursuit is becoming increasingly aggressive and personal in The Day of the Jackal.

Still from The Day of the Jackal (image Via Peacock)

Episode 8

Episode 8 of The Day of the Jackal got an IMDb rating of 8.1 and comes with a narrative flip. It showcases the Jackal's past in a flashback structure. The sequence makes the viewers question if they should be rooting for a killer. It develops on the context of his personality we see currently, which adds depth to the character. The episode sparked online debates about villain empathy — polarizing, yet unforgettable.

Episode 9

Episode 9 is rated 8.7, in which the Jackal has a brutally honest conversation with his wife where he reveals his work. He offers tactical support to Nuria’s scheming brother, but this move draws dangerous attention. When a related incident made it into the headlines and caught Bianca's eyes, she identified his typical style and resumed the hunt with renewed urgency.

The episode shows the Jackal at his most calculating and dangerous, using every skill in his arsenal to stack the odds in his favour. Despite being the villain, viewers feel compelled to root for the Jackal’s success — a testament to the show’s complex writing.

Episode 10

The finale episode of the adventurous series is rated 8.4 on IMDb and twists expectations from both the book and the film. It raises the hard-hitting question: Was the Jackal ever just one man? Reddit threads exploded. Fan theories about alternate timelines, psychological projections, and intelligence fabrications took0 over the discourse. Redmayne's silence in the final scene is chilling. The ending was more than a conclusion — it was a provocation.