Every David Fincher Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

Like all films directed by Fincher, this entry is an expertly crafted, well acted piece that brandishes the distinct feel of a Fincher film. Exploring the investigation into the Zodiac killer, the man responsible for the murder of at least 25 people during the 1960's and 70's, the movie depicts the investigation by San Francisco police officers and reporters at the San Francisco Chronicle. The cat and mouse between the killer and the reporters is gripping stuff, the tension slowly building throughout.

Zodiac contains high quality acting from all involved, especially from Jake Gylenhaal and Robert Downey Jnr. as journalists who find themselves involved much deeper in an investigation than they ever could have imagined. The personal toll on all involved bleeds through the screen, but the film also takes its toll on the viewer, and not always for the right reasons.

The issue with the film comes in its obsession with the investigation without being able to give any insight into who the killer was, or the motive behind the murders. There are some theories bandied about and Arthur Leigh Allen is revealed as a prime suspect, but its inability to have a definitive conclusion definitely hurts. The ending does mirror real life events, but at a run time approaching three hours it still feels like a letdown.

Picture the movie Se7en without the shock ending, and the murderer deciding to stop at five crimes and never being sighted again, and you get some idea of how the ending disappoints.