Zodiac - Review

"'Man is the most dangerous animal of all'. I knew that I heard that from somewhere before" – A review of Zodiac. 

I've always been fascinated by true crime documentaries. The things that drive a person to commit crimes and the exploration of unsolved mysteries are so interesting to me and there are a few notorious cases which stick out – Jack the Ripper, The Black Dahlia and, of course, the Zodiac killer.

Directed by David Fincher and released in 2007, Zodiac is based on the real case files of the murders, making it an absolutely gripping watch. The Zodiac killer, responsible for at least five murders, is taunting the police; letters full of cryptic clues and puzzles are all investigators have to go on, and they become increasingly obsessed with finding the culprit even as their professional and personal lives are deeply affected. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr., this critically acclaimed masterpiece is well worth a watch.

The real case of the Zodiac killer is deeply compelling. The letters, which are a key part of the film, were genuinely sent to police and newspapers between 1969 and 1974 and typically started with the same chilling line: "this is the Zodiac speaking". Whilst of course the case is one of tragedy, it's also unsurprising that it inspired films, including Dirty Harry in 1971 - but Zodiac is, in my opinion, a truly underrated gem.

The performances throughout are absolutely brilliant. Whilst Iron Man is the film that truly gave Robert Downey Jr. his second chance, his portrayal in Zodiac as Paul Avery is nothing short of remarkable; he comes across as brilliant and charismatic, despite the characters drinking habits, and the crime reporter acts as a guide into the unsettling world of the killer. Jake Gyllenhaal is brilliant as Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist who is obsessed with cracking the codes, and he is compelling to watch as he transforms into a determined investigator. Inspector Dave Toschi is played by Mark Ruffalo, who comes across as grounded and quietly commanding, and you truly feel his frustration throughout which gives the film its emotional core.

There are some deeply dramatic and disturbing scenes throughout the film, but don't think they're just there for shock value – this is a film which takes the "true" aspect of true crime seriously. Fincher grew up in the Bay area and was afraid of the Zodiac as a child, and he didn't enjoy Dirty Harry. He wanted to do better, so he turned investigator himself along with the screen writer, James Vanderbilt. The pair spent 18 months researching, reading and interviewing, making sure that the film they created was accurate and factual. Indeed, they read over 10,000 documents during this time and constantly revised the script during the process, which gave the film a chilling realism.

This film is absolutely brilliant. Compelling, unsettling and brilliantly acted, this is one of the best true crime thrillers I have ever seen, and I cannot recommend it enough. This isn't just a thriller, it's a memorable depiction of one of the most chilling unsolved crimes in recent history, and I would encourage any fan of crime thrillers to give it a watch.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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