ZODIAC
An excellent, unsettling hunt for a demonic killer — adults only.
Should You Watch It?
ZODIAC is a superbly acted, riveting mystery thriller about the hunt for a serial killer. Its moral focus is clear: dedicated detectives and journalists work to identify, stop, and bring an evil, demonic killer to justice. The performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey, Jr., Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Edwards are excellent, while John Carroll Lynch is chilling as one of the prime suspects.
The cost is substantial. The film contains strong language, strong violence, drug references, and frightening threats involving children. Its slow pace and 157-minute running time may also test younger viewers. The story’s focus on a notorious killer could potentially appeal to people seeking fame through terrible acts, though the movie avoids becoming a salacious celebration of violence.
If you are a discerning adult who can handle those concerns, this is worth watching. For children and young teens, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn Northern California during the late 1960s and early 1970s, a serial killer begins terrorizing the public. He sends cryptic letters to local newspapers, calls himself Zodiac, boasts about his urge to kill, and threatens children on a school bus.
Two detectives and two San Francisco journalists become absorbed in the case. As suspects are examined and clues accumulate, one journalist begins a personal crusade to unmask the killer.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an outstanding thriller despite its length. ZODIAC builds a riveting mystery from shocking events and tantalizing clues, with several scary scenes that can keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The performances are the film’s greatest strength. Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey, Jr., are brilliant as the journalists, Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards are excellent as the detectives, and John Carroll Lynch is absolutely chilling as a prime suspect.
The main weakness is that the movie is overlong and may feel dull to younger viewers accustomed to a faster pace. Even so, its restraint and Oscar-caliber acting make it a powerful detective thriller.
The Worldview
ZODIAC presents a strong moral worldview in a sometimes humanist setting. Its central concern is the hunt for an evil, demonic serial killer by dedicated American policemen and newspaper reporters. The film honors perseverance, professional duty, and the desire to protect the public by finding and stopping a murderer.
It also presents one divorced journalist as living a clean life, something remarkable to his cynical colleagues. Yet the moral framework does not clearly rest on biblical faith. The film’s emphasis is human responsibility and justice rather than dependence on God.
The story also shows how obsession can damage a person’s family life. The journalist’s crusade lasts for years and nearly destroys his relationship with his family. The movie’s restraint is commendable, and it does not overtly encourage the terrible acts it depicts, but its subject matter could still attract people seeking fame or notoriety through violence.
The film’s longing for justice reflects a biblical truth: evil should not have the final word. Scripture says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong moral worldview but in a sometimes humanist setting about the hunt for an evil, demonic serial killer by a dedicated group of American policemen and two dedicated newspaper reporters, one of whom works as a cartoonist and, though divorced, lives a clean life, which is remarkable to his cynical colleagues; about 32 mostly strong obscenities, 11 strong profanities and two light profanities; strong violence with some blood includes several shootings, masked killer ties two victims up before stabbing them (the scary stabbing mostly occurs off screen), a few victims escape death, man appears to have blood on his hands, strips of shirt shown with blood, killer seriously threatens to throw woman's baby out the window before he kills her but she escapes and he doesn't harm baby, a scary scene in a basement with a possible serial killer, and killer threatens in a letter to kill children on a school bus and writes about the joy of killing people; no implied or depicted sex scenes, but some light sexual references such as young married woman driving young man takes car to lover's lane but they are shot before anything happens, talk about one adult suspect going to jail for "touching" boys in school and mention of the word "pedophile," but nothing explicit, crude, or graphic; no nudity; alcohol use and talk about one man's eventual drinking and drug problem; smoking, man snorts cocaine and man has some kind of oxygen or gas bottle with him which he is using through a clear mask while drinking in a bar (it could be oxygen since movie later reveals man had emphysema); and, deception, kidnapping, conceited and troubled killer taunts police, man says he is divorced, and conflict between reporter and police.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The detectives and reporters keep pursuing justice over many years. What helps a person persevere in a difficult and frightening task?
Galatians 6:9 · Hebrews 12:1The journalist’s obsession nearly damages his relationship with his family. How can a good goal become unhealthy when it takes over our lives?
Matthew 6:33 · 1 Timothy 5:8The killer seeks attention through letters and threats. Why can fame become dangerous when it is pursued without moral boundaries?
Proverbs 16:18 · Mark 8:36The film centers on stopping an evil killer and bringing him to justice. Why does Scripture say that vengeance belongs to God?
Romans 12:19 · Micah 6:8The Final Word
ZODIAC is a riveting, exceptionally acted mystery with a serious moral focus. Its strong language, violence, disturbing threats, and adult subject matter make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults who can handle the content, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other family movie nights, see.
