The fact that this film is not so much a horror film as it is a documentary kind of scares me, well let me rephrase that it’s not a documentary but does follow the killing and the life of the real Zodiac Killer and the people who tried to bring him down. In real life as mentioned at the end of the film, The Zodiac Killer, is probably the only serial killer in history to never get caught. He is without out a doubt one of the best killers in recorded history. For year he terrorized California with random, killing all related to the zodiac. He was smart and all his murders were well thought out. And the simple fact that he dared the police and government to figure out who he was, even leaving them clues and everything is just plan, well in lack of a better term brilliant. The man is smart and he’s never been caught. I can’t say I respect such an evil person for the things they have done, but he does deserve to be remembered as probably the smartest, cleanest serial killer ever. One thing this film lets you know is that his last words to the press were: “Someday someone will make a movie about me.” And there is not only this one but a few other ones as well. However I don’t think that the other films stand up to this take on the Zodiac killer as well as this one does.
“The Zodiac” is a simple yet effective film that shows the story of the zodiac killer not just from the perspective of the killer but from the perspective of the struggling detectives who tried to find him. It shows the history of some of his most famous murders and threats he made using the media to spread his word of fear. The film even has a radio broadcast that features a news cast of the Mansion murders implying that Charles Manson got nothing on the Zodiac Killer. Probably the best and most gruesome scene is when the Zodiac Killer wears his famous mask, and stabs two unsuspecting lovers in a field. That scene is what put the fear of what this man really did into me. This film is not full of blood and guts to give you the scare of your life, its the psychological aspect of the picture that scare you. The script is written in such a way and the film is edited in such a way that your always feeling uneasy from beginning to end.
The Acting in the film was pretty good, Justin Chambers, Robin Tunney and Rory Culkin all played their part well. Rory Culkin in particular did a great job. For a film with a small budget I must admit they cast some pretty good actors in it.
In terms of CGI or special makeup effects don’t expect much. There is no gore in this film, just a few gunshots and a stabbing scene. Each scene does contain blood but not that much.
Overall “The Zodiac” is a very well put together film that relies more on showing you the history of the real killer, and throwing you back into the time frame in which he committed all those murders, while watching this film you can actually feel the pain and suffering of his victims and feel the terror that he put the whole country though. “The Zodiac” will throw your mind into a loop of terror and show what real fear lies within the human psyche. A great film to watch to help you understand the real story behind the worlds most infamous serial killer.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
