David Fincher has been my favorite director since I first watched 1995’s “Seven” at a far too young age. Since then, I’ve watched (and rewatched) Fincher's remarkable filmography more times than I can count, and rank several of his movies among my favorite films ever made.
One of those is “Zodiac,” a mystery thriller released back in March 2007, and that chronicles the desperate hunt for the eponymous Zodiac Killer as he waged a campaign of terror on the San Francisco Bay Area through the late 1960s and into the early 1970s. With Fincher’s meticulous craft and ability to spin a dark story that grips throughout, this grim real-life killer makes for perfect material for the American director to craft another masterpiece.
If you missed this movie the first time around — and clearly lots of people did, as it was a box office disappointment, grossing $84 million on a budget of $65 million — the good news is it’s just arrived on Netflix. "Zodiac" has instantly become one of the best picks in the streaming service’s entire movie library. So, if you like David Fincher’s more recognized work in the thriller genre, like “Fight Club” and “Seven,” then you absolutely must watch “Zodiac” now.
What is ‘Zodiac’ about?
Based on author Robert Graysmith’s non-fiction books, “Zodiac” and “Zodiac Unmasked,” Fincher’s cinematic chronicling of the infamous killer's string of grisly murders focuses partially on the enigmatic murderer, but also those who become obsessed with catching him.
Inspectors Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and Bill Armstrong (Anthony Edwards) are assigned the case but find themselves struggling to piece together sporadic clues. Meanwhile, reporters Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) are drawn into the hunt when the killer sends coded messages to the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.
Over several years, “Zodiac” follows these characters as they are driven to the point of obsession in their attempts to decipher the killer’s cryptic messages and taunting phone calls. And all the while, the victim count rises as the Zodiac Killer’s spree continues and the city watches on, gripped by fear.
‘Zodiac’ is a masterpiece and now a Netflix must-watch
When you hear the phrase “mystery thriller,” you might think of a movie packed with shocking twists and big reveals, but that’s not “Zodiac.” Any watcher aware of the real-life facts of the Zodiac case will know the killer was never caught, and his identity remains a mystery to this very day. So naturally, this movie can’t end with a big reveal, with the leads unmasking the killer and saving the city. It’s a thriller with a core mystery that goes unresolved.
Instead, Fincher uses “Zodiac” to showcase the fear and anxiety that gripped San Francisco during the era. It’s focused on how the case and investigation impacted those involved, and how the hunt for answers tragically never resulted in anything but speculative theories. On paper, that could have been supremely unsatisfying, but Fincher (and screenwriter James Vanderbilt) turn this futile investigation into a truly gripping tale.
As much a mood piece that conveys a very particular period in time, “Zodiac” is narratively tense and anchored by strong performances from its cast, but it’s also deeply atmospheric. Fincher is a known perfectionist, infamous for demanding near-endless takes. While some actors have lamented his approach to making movies, there’s no denying that it leads to a seriously polished final product. And there’s not a frame out of place in “Zodiac.”
Praised by many crime researchers for sticking close to the facts, “Zodiac” may not offer any definitive answers to this case that has obsessed millions over the years, but it presents what we do know in a way that draws you in and keeps you hooked until the end. It’s a masterclass in filmmaking and subtle screenwriting, with a cast capable of delivering on Fincher’s vision (shout to John Caroll Lynch for a great supporting turn as a suspect).
If all my fawning praise above isn't enough to convince you to add to your watchlist, “Zodiac” also holds a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and its ranking within David Fincher’s filmography has only risen in the 17 years since. There’s no other way I can put it, but to say it’s a thriller masterpiece.
However, if a lengthy thriller that doesn’t end with a neat bow tied on proceedings isn’t quite to your taste, here’s a guide to everything new on Netflix in November 2025 for even more picks worth watching this month.
Watch "Zodiac" on Netflix now
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