Zodiac
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: March 2, 2007
8.4
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 850 Ratings
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Positive:
759
Mixed:
66
Negative:
25
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8
timoneAug 7, 2019
(Sighs) I can only imagine how much I completely forgot about I actually watch the different version of The Zodiac and that was like when I was a teenager I watched the 2006 version of it but I have not watched the David Fincher version with(Sighs) I can only imagine how much I completely forgot about I actually watch the different version of The Zodiac and that was like when I was a teenager I watched the 2006 version of it but I have not watched the David Fincher version with Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey, Jr. Years later I watched it finally and it was actually quite good. It based on the true story America's most notorious serial killer. Zodiac tells the story of the manhunt for the Zodiac Killer, a serial murderer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1960s and early 1970s, taunting police with letters, bloodstained clothing, and ciphers mailed to newspapers. The case remains one of the United States' most infamous unsolved crimes. Jake Gyllenhaal as Robert Graysmith who is the cartoonist is obsessed with investigating the murders and researching into the Zodiac killings. With a lot of help from his fellow friends, Dave Toschi and Paul Avery played by Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey, Jr. Okay so as it is the Zodiac investigation goes on throughout the entire movie and when Robert watches Dirty Harry for the first time, in his vision it's really based on the Zodiac killings loosely and then he meets Dave for the first time. Like I said in the couple of seconds the Zodiac investigation goes on throughout and it's gonna take days and months and, hell, even years. With all that said and out of the way, I will say for one thing that I am going to tell you about. I think the ending is crap! There are some scenes nearly at the end is that Robert continues his investigation and in the next later and after that it just ends abruptly with some disclaimers about how it ends. I don't know if you notices this but it looks like this movie had no ending. Well, I know it's based on a true crime and it is based on the 1986 non-fiction book of the same name by Robert Graysmith played by Jake Gyllenhaal in the film. I just help the fact that it ends so abruptly. So yeah, the downside is the ending. Despite this, I still think this is a good movie. I mean, not perfect by any means but it is a pretty good crime drama that is so true. If you David Fincher's directing style you'll like this. It had a memorable cast that you'll recognise and it had good writing, solid directing, stellar acting and historical authenticity. You know the rest. Give it a watch and see if it'll grip you and you'll know the story is true.… Expand
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10
SupaNova2503Apr 25, 2016
There is not a dull moment in this note-perfect masterpiece. This film will burrow it's way into your mind and leave you as obsessed as the characters. Fantastic performances by Jake Gyllenhall, Robert Downey Jr. and the rest of theThere is not a dull moment in this note-perfect masterpiece. This film will burrow it's way into your mind and leave you as obsessed as the characters. Fantastic performances by Jake Gyllenhall, Robert Downey Jr. and the rest of the supporting cast elevate this film above being simply another serial killer flick based on a true story. Fincher's outstanding direction makes this arguably his best film to date. Do yourself a favour and watch this film if you haven't already. If you have, watch it again!… Expand
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9
alejandro970Dec 11, 2016
Chilling real life story of the desperate manhunt for a cold-heart serial killer, in which participed journalists and cops. Downey Jr., Ruffalo and Gyllenhall makes remarkables performances.
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10
ThreeboxIndoorsDec 20, 2016
Zodiac is almost three hours long and unlike most films of it kind, it focuses mostly on patient, methodical police work instead of exciting chase sequences or shootouts, yet it manages to be suspenseful throughout the ENTIRE runtime. ThereZodiac is almost three hours long and unlike most films of it kind, it focuses mostly on patient, methodical police work instead of exciting chase sequences or shootouts, yet it manages to be suspenseful throughout the ENTIRE runtime. There is not a single moment no matter how many times i watch it do i think is slow, when yet more than 95% of the film is expositional dialogue. That may sound bad, but in Zodiac, the exposition IS the drama. Drama happens whenever a character learns a new piece of information, and how does that information fit with what they already know. This works so well because we care about every character investigating the case, of Jake Gylenhaal's performance as Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist who eventually becomes obsessed with the Zodiac case. He is acted so well, and in a way that makes us also just as obsessed with the Zodiac as he is. Which brings me to what the movie portrays brilliantly - The extreme obsession to find out new information, and how the Zodiac had such an effect on peoples lives. We see Robert's family leave him due to his constant obsession with the Zodiac. We see Paul Avery, a journalist who gains new popularity as he investigates the murders, which leads him down the drugs route due to the frustation and inability to find the man responsible. The other 5% of the film consists of a total of only four scenes where we see the killer do anything, and they all happen in the first act of the movie. In the second act, the police do their part, and then in the excruciatingly suspenseful third act, it is just Robert Graysmith by himself. The killer's moments are terrifying, and even more so when you realize it also happened in real life, and the precise amount of detail that was put into accurately recreating these events is astonishing, and it gets under your skin whenever you think about it. As well as a disturbing bus threat that the Zodiac makes, and ESPECIALLY John Caroll Lynch's performance as Arthur Leigh Allen, the main suspect. He... is creepy to say the least. He is up there with Hannibal Lecter, and this film is up there with Silence Of The Lambs. I think it is one of the best directed films ever made, and it is perfectly constructed and crafted to the point where it never slows down for me at all. Every scene is edited in a way that makes it interesting. i can't find a single flaw or dull moment in Zodiac. It is a masterpiece and i have to give it a 10/10.… Expand
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7
VirgonoShakaDec 10, 2016
This is a good movie. The casting is excellent, the mystery is very good, the flow of the narrative is good, and the conclusion is satisfying, but it suffers from some problems, mostly in the secondary characters that seem to be there toThis is a good movie. The casting is excellent, the mystery is very good, the flow of the narrative is good, and the conclusion is satisfying, but it suffers from some problems, mostly in the secondary characters that seem to be there to expand the world, and let you know that the story is moving, but the emotion that these characters are supposed to make really never comes full circle, and it ends up hurting a lot, because the main characters seem to have to flow around these and in a mystery movie, that makes it less real, at least for me. Nevertheless, it is a good movie, and if you like mystery movies, this has an excellent mystery for you.… Expand
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9
gentgaga210Nov 5, 2017
I like killing people because it is so much fun. It is more fun than killing wild game in the forest because man is the most dangerous animal of them all.” This was said by one of the most notorious serial killers in America, the Zodiac.I like killing people because it is so much fun. It is more fun than killing wild game in the forest because man is the most dangerous animal of them all.” This was said by one of the most notorious serial killers in America, the Zodiac. Directed by David Fincher, the film Zodiac (2007) is based on the 1986 non-fiction crime mystery book Zodiac by Robert Graysmith. In the late 1960s, the murderer claimed that he had killed 37 people and despite numerous investigations, the case still remains unsolved and no one has ever been arrested. The film starts out with a sudden and brutal bloodbath, followed by another and another. The Zodiac sends multiple taunting letters of an enigmatic nature written using various ciphers. The Zodiac directly contacts the San Francisco Chronicle: “I want to report a murder…no, a double murder. They are two miles north of Park Headquarters. They were in a white Volkswagen Kharmann Ghia. I’m the one that did it.” An underrated masterpiece of the 21st century, Fincher manages to make the entire investigation much more personal and thrilling. He imbues the film with a subdued tone unlike his previous works Fight Club (1999) and Se7en (1995), which exhilarate the audience with thrills. The title character of the film is the infamous Zodiac, but the film overall is not really about the murderer. The focus quickly transitions from the murderer to the personal lives of those involved in the Zodiac case—David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo), the lead inspector, Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.), a bearded, smoking, alcoholic reporter, and editorial cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal). The obsession behind Graysmith’s 13-year investigation is highlighted by Fincher’s original style of storytelling. He meticulously crafts each frame with visual and narrative information, accurately conveying the passage of time. His constant use of time—presenting days and dates at the bottom of the screen— underlines how quickly time passes in reality, but from Graysmith’s perspective, time moves slowly, and the case seems to drag him down as he obsesses over the murders. As the film continues to go deeper into the case, one cannot help but also become fixated and sometimes pause the film to research more about the Zodiac. This is due to the acting skills—Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance here is one of his best—and the editing that makes this movie incredibly suspenseful and rather fast-moving. With a running time of 156 minutes, the director had a purpose for making it so long. The narrative, transitions, and acting are all so perfectly crafted for the audience that the film rarely feels like it is purposely dragging its running time out. The intense obsession and desire to find out more about the Zodiac can be seen in not only Robert Graysmith, but also David Toschi and Paul Avery. Viewers can see that Detective Toschi, who is trying to solve the case, is always frustrated because all the evidence is circumstantial, while reporter Paul Avery, who always gets high and reads the Zodiac letters while lighting a cigarette, seems to be tense. Just like the poster which is filled with mist, as each of the characters gets more invested in the case, viewers can notice that they are starting to drown in it.

Because this film is based on a true story, it makes the film more exceptional and authentic. Unlike the structure of most narrative films, Zodiac avoids cliché chase scenes, grand finales and climaxes—rather it follows the painstaking process of police investigations. Still, it does not mean that the movie is not terrifying. Viewers will sit on the edge of their seats when Graysmith receives several unknown calls, only hearing heavy breathing over the phone. Viewers might first admire Graysmith’s determination to catch the homicidal murderer only to realize that the film’s main theme is all about obsession and its side effects. Unlike many crime or investigative films, Zodiac is about what happens after everyone forgets about the murderer, except a dedicated few remaining to follow a trail that grows murkier by the day. The movie’s theme of obsession is perfectly represented through the characters, people who want to solve the case not to help the victims, but only to solve the puzzle. In the end, not only do the characters go through an exhaustive investigation, but David Fincher and the others who made the film also had to go through a strenuous proce ss. The crew interviewed survivors of the Zodiac case, went through thousands of documents, and had to retrace the killer’s steps alongside the officers who worked on the case. Their work was not in vain, resulting in a meticulously detailed and suspenseful film.… Expand
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7
tripp2themoviesJan 3, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the best possible movie that could have been made about the unsolved case of the Zodiac Killer. With that being said, the movie will always be a bit annoying because of the fact that the case is indeed unsolved. The movie is always building up to an amazing ending even though most viewers know that the ending will be inconclusive. Just looking at "Zodiac" is a film, it is very good. David Fincher builds tension and suspense very well, and always has the audience on edge. The cinematography in this film is absolutely spectacular, and so is the direction. It is hard to judge this film because of how good of a director Fincher is. This is certainly not his best work to date, 2007, because of the amazing films "Se7en" and "Fight Club," but it is still a very good movie. It is hard to compared to most movies, "Zodiac" is awesome, but compared to David Fincher movies, it is simply good.… Expand
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7
IRONK1979Jan 30, 2018
I didn't know much about the Zodiac before seeing this film and it does a good job at making the story clear and easy to follow with some good tension.
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8
FilipeNetoJul 21, 2018
This film deals with police investigations surrounding the crimes of Zodiac Assassin, a serial killer who plagued California without police officers having been able to discover him. It shows what police and the journalists did, and theThis film deals with police investigations surrounding the crimes of Zodiac Assassin, a serial killer who plagued California without police officers having been able to discover him. It shows what police and the journalists did, and the letters the killer used to wrote, some of them containing codes that remain mostly undeciphered. The film is engaging, intense, and shows the link, sometimes difficult, between the media and the authorities, but the merit of the film is to give a broad view of what has happened over the years, being very faithful to the facts and keeping our attention when we already know the whole story.

The pace is good, allowing us to see the details. It may seem a little slower than other thrillers, but I didn't feel I was wasting time on accessory things. The environment is tense enough to keep our interest without fear. Cinematography has been smartly for that purpose when required. Crimes are quite intense and give us some of the most dramatic scenes. I almost didn't noticed special effects, they knew how to be subtle. Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards, Mark Ruffalo and John Carroll Lynch are the most notable actors in a vast and competent cast, but Gyllenhaal deserves a very special applause for the way he has built his character, a quiet individual who is interested in search the killer by his own means. It's undoubtedly a psychologically dense and strong character, and the actor was perfectly capable of dealing with that. Ruffalo, on the other hand, showed the dismay of the police, after years of wild-goose chase.

I'm not sure, but I think Zodiac Case is still open in California. Anyway, this is a good thriller, true to the facts and with a strong, committed and capable cast. Even so, it's length, longer and slower than usual for this genre, can make some people lose their interest.… Expand
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9
RaduAFeb 7, 2019
90/100

Among the best thrillers, the acting was impeccable as well as the representation of what happened. Very well detailed. In conclusion, you must watch this movie !
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10
theCRITIC2May 23, 2018
Everything about this movie is great. Fincher is a great director. This should have been a Best Picture nominee. What great about this film is that you also become obsessed like the characters there that became obsessed with the mysteriousEverything about this movie is great. Fincher is a great director. This should have been a Best Picture nominee. What great about this film is that you also become obsessed like the characters there that became obsessed with the mysterious case of the Zodiac killer, even after you have watched the film. One best thing about this movie is the visual effects and also the CGI. In fact, you don't feel the visual effects and the CGI because it's done so well.I think this is one of the best movie ever made.… Expand
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8
ErikTheCriticOct 16, 2018
A thriller that is well-directed, well-acted and all around, a very interesting movie. It has a dark and chilling atmosphere, along with some very suspenseful and intense moments.
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9
KidScoobieApr 15, 2019
A mind-bending crime thriller with some of the best acting I've ever seen in a film.
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10
DawdlingPoetNov 20, 2021
This is more a crime mystery movie than a horror/thriller I feel as although there are some violent scenes, the majority of the movie focuses on the police and the press. The movie is a little slow paced for those looking for aThis is more a crime mystery movie than a horror/thriller I feel as although there are some violent scenes, the majority of the movie focuses on the police and the press. The movie is a little slow paced for those looking for a horror/thriller perhaps but its certainly interesting to follow the investigation and see how the media reached out to the killer and tried to understand him at first. Investigations seem pretty fruitless at first but then people come forward claiming to be the killer, although after discussions its clear none of them are the killer as they lack the detailed knowledge the killer would have known, then they come across someone who flatly denies their the killer yet who seems very much like 'their guy' but how can they prove this?. Its quite a frustrating watch as you can probably imagine but its quite intriguing as well and I thought the characters were interesting enough to keep me wanting to continue to watch it, that and the media interaction angle of the story.

I noticed that in some scenes, the musical score added to the suspense. The soundtrack is certainly 'of its time' and so for a change I thought it was worth nothing that, I think this movie is helped by good use of some songs/background incidental music.

Its quite frustrating to see how people such as Paul Avery baby Robert Graysmith as he shows real curiosity and a drive to solve the mystery as to the identity of the killer. I suppose in a sense its a typical story of the underdog ignoring the naysayers and going with his instincts, pursuing his fascination and interest, in the search for the truth and all of that, though he's rather naive and its a wonder his wife stuck around for as long as she did, given the danger that he put himself and his family in by going public with his investigations. Equally, at times its surprising that those in the PD co-operated with him 'off the book' years later, as much as they did.

This is quite an interesing movie, I felt it was quite suspenseful towards the end, the story was interesting, it left me guessing and the characters were well portrayed.… Expand
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8
wayrezMay 15, 2020
David Fincher wasn't afraid to show one of the loudest punctures of the American police. He depicted everything as it is - no paint, no farce. And he's not interested in the identity of a serial killer. Because he even uses differentDavid Fincher wasn't afraid to show one of the loudest punctures of the American police. He depicted everything as it is - no paint, no farce. And he's not interested in the identity of a serial killer. Because he even uses different actors to play the Zodiac in the shooting of the murders. This picture - a pure study of the psychology of the victim and the hunter, mass consciousness and consciousness of the killer, as well as a stunning sketch of the political structure of the time, the American society and its mechanisms.… Expand
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10
SH4GGYMay 29, 2020
It's Just one of the best movies of the 2000's I can't say anything bad 'bout this movie except of the length. Everybody needs to watch this movie!
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7
zklJun 20, 2020
While initially very interesting with great performances it drags on way too long with such a cluster of stuff to deal with.
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8
MrPajamasAug 1, 2022
A detective story based on a true story. Fine by me. It was interesting. It's probably even more interesting for those familiar with the Zodiac case. Great movie. I don't know what else to add. For fans of the detective genre, I recommend it.
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7
iCampoRamilNov 16, 2021
Espectacular Gyllenhaal, y espectacular esa atmósfera que se logra crear, si.
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8
AJ_13Mar 30, 2021
Fincher's directing and the frenetic editing manage to deliver a fast-paced and tense movie, even thoung it may be too long. I found the ending a bit disappointing but since it's an adaptation I can't blame Fincher for that one.
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9
Atrium89May 24, 2021
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9
Autopsy904Jun 13, 2021
°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°》°°》°》°》°
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10
Abso_lute1Jun 30, 2021
Brilliant crime thriller with excellent dialogue, Zodiac is filled with great tension and does not prolong it's stay.
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8
Zac03Aug 8, 2021
A work of genius in storytelling by David Fincher in what is a phenomenal adaption of the killings of the Zodiac killer. Clever casting for the lead roles leads to some outstanding performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and MarkA work of genius in storytelling by David Fincher in what is a phenomenal adaption of the killings of the Zodiac killer. Clever casting for the lead roles leads to some outstanding performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo. The film itself is long, some might say to long but the every detail, big and small is so precise and is key to Fincher conveying his take on events and also in showing the effects the Zodiac has on each character. But don't let how long the film is put you off because its so compelling and intense yet intriguing that it keeps you following the story and wanting to see what's going to happen next. Of course the main point of story is based on the murders of the Zodiac killer but the main theme is how the killings affect each character and gradually wares them down with initially, the lack evidence to identify a suspect and then later to make a proper conviction. Downey dazzles as a journalist investigating the murders that brings him new found popularity which leads him down the drugs route due to the frustration and inability to find the man responsible, Ruffalo is is fantastic form and delivers a majestic performance as a cop tasked with finding the Zodiac, Gyllenhaal is the surprise of the show for me, his portrayal of a strange and peculiar yet inspiring cartoonist, Robert, is tremendous, but Fincher's choice in John Carroll Lynch as Arthur Leigh Allen was genius as his depiction of the prime suspect is fabulously creepy and encapsulates the reason why he is the prime suspect to perfection. All in all, Zodiac is a truly exceptional piece of filmmaking and something that you simply cannot afford to miss out on.… Expand
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7
HeroicAge616Oct 25, 2021
Fincher's adaptation of America's most famous killer is thrilling and enigmatic, but is held back from its full potential by a lack of focus and uninteresting portrayals.
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8
NickTheCritickNov 4, 2021
This is the best Fincher's movie and by far the one I prefer when we speak about his filmography.
The film flows beautifully, the actors are masterfully directed and the director behind the camera doesn't miss a beat by shooting a trulyThis is the best Fincher's movie and by far the one I prefer when we speak about his filmography.
The film flows beautifully, the actors are masterfully directed and the director behind the camera doesn't miss a beat by shooting a truly must-see movie.… Expand
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10
DunkaccinoAug 11, 2023
What this masterpiece excels at is that it doesn’t focus on the killings, or even the killer. It’s about the persuasiveness; the restless nights that are spent; the extreme determination to find something—anything—even though the hints failWhat this masterpiece excels at is that it doesn’t focus on the killings, or even the killer. It’s about the persuasiveness; the restless nights that are spent; the extreme determination to find something—anything—even though the hints fail them over and over.… Expand
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10
MasterspeedMar 26, 2022
Saya sangat suka film apalagi film ini di ambil dari kisah nyata film ini sangat keren sekali
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8
Agha_3alarJul 29, 2023
I like the slow process that accelerates, the fact that in the film itself, like in reality, you can't get a completely correct result, it's very interesting

روند آرومی که تند میشه رو دوست دارم اینکه تو خود فیلم هم مثل واقیعت کاملا یک نتیجهI like the slow process that accelerates, the fact that in the film itself, like in reality, you can't get a completely correct result, it's very interesting

روند آرومی که تند میشه رو دوست دارم اینکه تو خود فیلم هم مثل واقیعت کاملا یک نتیجه درست نمیشه گرفت خیلی جالبه… Expand
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