The Zodiac 2006

The film begins on July 4, 1969, depicting a chilling moment when the Zodiac killer commits his second attack, targeting young lovers Darlene Ferrin (played by Ciara Hughes) and Mike Mageau (portrayed by Lee Norris) at a secluded lane in Vallejo, California. While Mageau manages to survive the assault, Ferrin tragically succumbs to her injuries, setting off a series of events that haunt the region.

A month later, a letter from the Zodiac arrives at the San Francisco Chronicle, which catches the attention of crime reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey, Jr.) and political cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Rory Culkin). This letter contains encrypted messages that mock the police, but due to his role as a cartoonist, Graysmith struggles to gain the respect of Avery and his colleagues, who underestimate his interest in the unfolding case. Intrigued by the cryptic codes included in the correspondence, Graysmith receives access to one, which he successfully deciphers. As a result of this breakthrough, Avery begins to share insights from the investigation with him, cultivating an unexpected partnership.

Subsequently, the Zodiac killer strikes again at Lake Berryessa, attacking Bryan Hartnell (played by Patrick Scott Lewis) and Cecilia Shepard (portrayed by Pell James). Only Hartnell survives the brutal stabbing, while Shepard sadly does not. Shortly after this attack, the killer escalates the horror, murdering taxi driver Paul Stine in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights. The investigation sees detectives Dave Toschi (Justin Chambers) and Bill Armstrong (played by Anthony Edwards) take the lead, collaborating with fellow detectives like Jack Mulanax (portrayed by Elias Koteas) and Ken Narlow (played by Donal Logue). Defying authority, the Zodiac taunts the police through media appearances, fueling the obsession of both Avery and Graysmith as they dig deeper into the case.

During their investigation, Avery and Graysmith uncover additional evidence linking the Zodiac to earlier murders dating back to 1966. However, their relationship with law enforcement shifts between cooperation and tension. They begin to suspect Arthur Leigh Allen (played by John Carroll Lynch), whose ambidextrous nature and troubling history connect him to several of the murders. Yet, handwriting analyses exonerate Allen despite substantial circumstantial evidence against him.

With the passing years, by 1971, Avery grows increasingly paranoid, entangled in a world of drugs and alcohol as he becomes consumed by the case. His obsession further strains his professional relationships and personal life. Facing mounting pressure, Avery ultimately leaves the Chronicle in 1978, while Toschi is demoted under accusations of forging a Zodiac letter, and Armstrong steps away from the homicide division. Meanwhile, Graysmith continues to pursue his investigation independently, aggravating the situation with anonymous threatening calls reminiscent of the Zodiac’s early crimes, leading to the collapse of his marriage with Melanie (portrayed by Chloë Sevigny).

Graysmith’s relentless pursuit gains the attention of Toschi, who recognizes Graysmith’s in-depth knowledge of the case and provides contact information to relevant authorities from neighboring areas. Despite accumulating evidence pointing toward Allen, challenges remain, including the lack of hard proof that could substantiate his claims. Notably, Graysmith uncovers a lead involving a “weird guy” named Lee, who was reportedly seen prior to one of the murders.

In a pivotal moment in December 1983—14 years after the initial slayings—Graysmith confronts Allen in a Vallejo hardware store, where a brief but intense exchange occurs. Their encounter leaves both men with an unsettling impression, and it’s here that Graysmith spots Allen’s name tag, inscribed with “Lee.” Fast forward to 1991: Mageau views police mugshots and identifies Allen as a prime suspect. However, the film concludes with stark title cards conveying tragic truths—Allen passed away in 1992 before authorities could question him further, and DNA tests conducted in 2002 yielded no matches to samples collected from the Zodiac’s infamous letters, leaving the case shrouded in relentless mystery.