Zodiac

Name: Zodiac
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: March 2, 2007
Duration: 157 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr.

2007

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 838 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 838 Ratings

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Zodiac

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: March 2, 2007 | R

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr.

Summary: Based on the actual case files of one of the most intriguing unsolved crimes in the nation's history, Zodiac is a thriller from David Fincher, director of "Seven" and "Fight Club." As a serial killer terrifies the San Francisco Bay Area and taunts police with his ciphers and letters, investigators in four jurisdictions search for theBased on the actual case files of one of the most intriguing unsolved crimes in the nation's history, Zodiac is a thriller from David Fincher, director of "Seven" and "Fight Club." As a serial killer terrifies the San Francisco Bay Area and taunts police with his ciphers and letters, investigators in four jurisdictions search for the murderer. The case will become an obsession for four men as their lives and careers are built and destroyed by the endless trail of clues. (Paramount Pictures)… Expand

Director: David Fincher

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 157 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Nathan Lee

Zodiac exhausts more than one genre. Termite art par excellence, it burrows for the sake of burrowing, as fascinated by its own nooks and crannies as "Inland Empire." Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

Its most impressive accomplishment is to gather a bewildering labyrinth of facts and suspicions over a period of years, and make the journey through this maze frightening and suspenseful. Read full review

Zodiac may be the perfect meeting of filmmaker and subject -- an obsessive's portrait of obsession that is, finally, a monument to irresolution. Read full review

Michael Sragow

Like Brian De Palma's 1981 masterpiece "Blow-Out," this movie contains cutting perceptions of obsession, institutional and professional myopia, misplaced loyalty in experts, misreadings of evidence and the kind of confusion that leads to conspiracy theories. But Fincher's movie falls short of masterpiece status. Read full review

Empire Kim Newman

This gripping character study becomes more agonisingly suspenseful as it gets closer to an answer that can't be confirmed. Read full review

David Edelstein

What begins like your basic police procedural becomes more and more choppy and diffuse. To a point, that’s intentional: Zodiac was never caught, and Fincher aims to creep you out with the lack of closure. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Never takes off, but it never collapses. At times, it becomes frustrating -- for example, about 30 minutes are spent pursuing a lead that goes nowhere. Read full review

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User Reviews

DonaldR.

Mar 6, 2007

Dark, detailed and dreamlike, Zodiac creeps into you like a ghost. I have not stopped thinking of this film since seeing it. Fincher has done a brilliant job of capturing everything about the time and place of this story, and his actors have delivered performances that are wise and nuanced. Dark, detailed and dreamlike, Zodiac creeps into you like a ghost. I have not stopped thinking of this film since seeing it. Fincher has done a brilliant job of capturing everything about the time and place of this story, and his actors have delivered performances that are wise and nuanced. This is magnificent filmmaking and one of the best, satisfying films I've ever seen. Bravo!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Another_Nerd

Mar 10, 2015

Zodiac is what you would expect a proper brilliant mystery-thriller to be. It is a **** edge of the seat, and more importantly, a film based on curiosity. Anti-climactic, yes, but it's a true story. Very few movies have such a good anti-climax.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Rosco

May 9, 2011

A work of genius in storytelling by David Fincher in what is a phenominal adaption of the killings of the Zodiac killer. Clever casting for the lead roles leads to some outstanding performances by Jake Gyllenhall, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo. The film itself is long, some might say toA work of genius in storytelling by David Fincher in what is a phenominal adaption of the killings of the Zodiac killer. Clever casting for the lead roles leads to some outstanding performances by Jake Gyllenhall, 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 whats going to happen next. Ofcourse 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 magestic performance as a cop tasked with finding the Zodiac, Gyllenhall is the surprise of the show for me, his portray of a strange and peculiar yet inspiring cartoonist, Robert, is tremendous, but Finchers choice in John Carroll Lynch as Arthur Leigh Arthur 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 truely exceptional piece of filmmaking and something that you simply cannot afford to miss out on.… Expand

9 of 11 users found this helpful92

Gray

Feb 26, 2007

Excellent. Just got back from an early screening in Boston, and I'm really happy with it. A very restrained effort from Fincher, despite it's length. A great script keeps all the happenings from ever getting confusing, and keeps the film enthralling for it's entire runtime.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

GavinC.

Aug 20, 2009

'Zodiac' displays both gripping suspense and comedy while introducing a mix between 'scary film' and 'murder mystery film'.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

HeroicAge616

Oct 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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HonestComm

Dec 21, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 10/8.4 ? I don't think so... There is no drama or thriller. Only crime and mystery which is never brought to light… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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