An Ambitious Serial Killer Movie Like No Other

Rating: 8/10 (21 October 2016)

David Fincher has truly proved to be a master and physiological thrillers and serial killer stories but before I watched this movie I was sceptical if it could work, because it spans so many years and different stories so it would be hard to bring this all together for a cohesive narrative. Another thing I was worried about was if this movie as a whole would be satisfying as the real Zodiac killer was never caught so I was wondering if it would really be a story worth telling. But it truly was this movie is fantastic and is truly one of Fincher best efforts. This movie does jump in time a lot but it's done in away so that you see the long lasting effects on the characters without ever feeling bored. Jake Gyllenhall is incredible in this movie he perfectly conveys his characters child like innocence and the toll that his obsessive investigation into the Zodiac has on him and in my opinion was snubbed an Oscar for this movie. Robert Downey Jr also really blew me away in this movie he's really able to come across as an arrogant character at first and then turns into a sympathetic and damaged one once you realise just how much the Zodiac has cost him. The investigation is always compelling your always engaged by it and are desperate to see the case solved so that the characters can feel some piece of mind. The final scene between Graysmith and Allan is truly incredible had this scene not been included I don't know if this movie would have been as satisfying it just makes you feel some piece for Graysmith and further proves how incredible Gyllenhall is. My biggest and really only problem with this movie is the fact that the last act wasn't nearly as interesting you start to feel the run time and needed to include the other supporting characters more.
Zodiac is a great film despite its disappointing last act it's got amazing performances a compelling mystery and a surprisingly satisfying pay off.
87%-A-