Zodiac presents the true life story of the decades long investigation into a series of murders during the 60’s and 70’s in the San Fransisco area by a self-titled killer, the Zodiac. The movie was broken into 3 main sections. The first part details the series of attacks by the Zodiac causing a panic by the public and police. Several of these murders are very graphic and include a scene of repeated stabbings that was somewhat difficult to watch. If you can get past these scenes the rest are much less gruesome. Following these murders the Zodiac begins sending letters to the San Fransisco Chronicle detailing his exploits. The killer is clearly interested in collecting as much fame and news coverage as possible.

At this point the story rolls into the second part where the audience follows Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards as the investigators assigned to this case. Mark Ruffalo plays his role of the obsessed investigator exceptionally well. I had seen Ruffalo in several other movies, but this was the first time he really impressed me. Several other characters begin to develop similar obsessions with the case, Robert Downey Jr. who plays a writer for the Chronicle and Jake Gyllenhaal as the paper’s cartoonist. The third act in the movie shifts the focus to Gyllenhaal as he independently takes on the investigation. There are several tense scenes through this part that will likely bring you to the edge of your seat.

The movies traces through a complicated series of leads and a multitude of suspects and takes plenty of time to do so (Run time of 2h40m). Although this didn’t feel like a typical David Fincher movie (Se7en, Panic Room, Fight Club), his overall quality of directing is apparent in this movie. It’s an exciting, dark thriller filled with plenty of true crime grit. I’d highly recommend it if you aren’t offended by the initial violence.

I’d give it 4/5 stars.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr.
Rated: R for some strong killings, language, drug material, and brief sexual images
Duration: 2 hrs 36 mins

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