One of the most underrated thrillers of the 21st century is David Fincher's the infamous Zodiac Killer whose murders in the San Francisco area in the 1970s remain unsolved. It takes a look at the obsessive search for clues by the police and the journalists around the case.
The movie is a tight and gripping story that delves deep into the details of the case in such a fascinating way. Fincher infuses a tension to the proceedings as well as an unexpected sense of humor that makes it an unforgettable movie with equally unforgettable lines.
I Also Killed Those Kids Last Year
The movie opens with the Zodiac Killer's attack on a young cop parked at an overlook point at night. After parking behind them, the unseen killer proceeds to shoot the two victims multiple times before leaving.
The audience then hears a 911 call in which a voice informs the operator of the murders, including details on how they were killed. The eerie voice then claims, "I also killed those kids last year" before saying goodbye in the creepiest way possible.
Methinks Our Friend's A Tad Bit F**kered In The Head
A year before he became Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. was still working on his comeback and gave a wonderful performance in this movie as Paul Avery, a crime reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle.
Downey Jr. brings his typical quick wit and undeniable charm to the role that adds a lot of humor to the movie. When the Zodiac's cipher is cracked and his cryptic message reveals his declaration of further mayhem, Paul gives dryly points out that this is a pretty messed up person.
That's Graysmith. He's A Cartoonist. He Thinks He's Going To Solve The Zodiac
At the center of the movie is Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) a cartoonist with the Chronicle who becomes obsessed with the case and begins digging into it on his own. Years after many people had moved on from the case, Graysmith goes looking for more answers and even starts writing a book about it all.
He tracks down various people d with the case and questioning the detectives who investigated the murders. After questioning who he is, a cop tells his colleague Graysmith is planning on solving the case to which the other cop responds, "Well, good for him."
Hey Bullitt, It's Been Almost A Year. You Gonna Catch This F**king Guy Or Not?
The third main character in the movie is Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo), a famed San Francisco detective who is leading the Zodiac investigation. Toschi is something of a celebrity as he was the basis for some fictional San Francisco cops like Dirty Harry and Bullitt.
However, even a hero cop like Toschi can't solve this one and he keeps running into roadblocks and dead ends. As the tension of the case mounts, Toschi and Paul have a heated exchange in which Paul uses Toschi's celebrity to mock his lack of progress. It solidifies that real murder investigations are more complicated than Hollywood makes them out to be.
I Need To Look Him In The Eye, And I Need To Know That It's Him
One of the themes of the movie is how the question of who the Zodiac Killer really is becomes an obsession that continues to haunt those involved with the case. By far, the one most affected by this is Graysmith who is consumed with the case.
As the investigation begins to destroy his home life, Graysmith's wife asks why he is doing this. He explains he is compelled to find the real killer and needs to look him in the eyes to know it is him. After tracking down the suspect Arthur Leigh Allen, Graysmith feels he did just that.
Before I Kill You, I'm Going To Throw Your Baby Out The Window
One of the most unsettling scenes in the movie finds a woman and her baby who get a ride from a stranger after her car breaks down on the highway.
The tension continues to rise as they travel down the dark highway and the driver remains unseen. He then emotionlessly threatens the woman, saying "Before I kill you, I'm going to throw your baby out the window. Thankfully, she and her baby manage to escape unharmed, but it is still a terrifying moment.
Do You Know More People Die In The East Bay Commute Every Three Months Than That Idiot Ever Killed?
Though this case happened decades ago, the general public has probably at least heard of the Zodiac Killer and might have an understanding of the investigation. However, something interesting this movie does is recontextualize the infamy of this unknown killer.
While Graysmith meets with Paul to discuss writing a book about the case, Paul challenges why Zodiac is so important. He points out that he is responsible for a small number of deaths and that some of the murders he took credit for were proven to be lies. In the end, this was a very disturbed and dangerous person who wanted to be talked about.
Are You Sure No One Else Is In The House?
While the movie isn't as intense The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, he does manage to include some brilliant sequences of suspense.
In one of the most memorable scenes in the movie, Graysmith meets with a man who claims to have some evidence that could point to the identity of the killer. However, Graysmith gradually begins to feel uneasy and suspect this man might be involved in the case more than he is letting on. The tension builds when Graysmith hears footsteps upstairs despite being told no one else is in the house.
I Am Very Sure That's The Man Who Shot Me
The movie ends after Graysmith has published his book and the case is given new life. A detective manages to track down, Mike Mageau, the man who managed to survive the attack seen in the opening scene of the movie.
In the years that ed, Mageau has tried to move on from that trauma but he is asked by the detective to look at some photos. Mageau is shaken and points to the photo of Arthur Leigh Allen saying, " The last time I saw this face was July 4th, 1969. I am very sure that's the man who shot me."
I Am Not The Zodiac. And If I Were, I Certainly Wouldn't Tell You
After an endless investigation and countless bogus tips, Toschi and his colleagues narrow in on one individual who becomes a prime suspect. They go to meet Arthur Leigh Allen at his work where they begin questioning him about some very coincidental connections to the case.
Allen maintains his innocent but as the situation starts to make him look more and more suspicious, he finally tells the detectives in a cold tone, "I am not the Zodiac. And if I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you," which is not the most convincing defense.
