The movie tells the true story of the Zodiac murders that took place in San Francisco in the late sixties/early seventies.
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In the opening, we see the Zodiac's first attack, in which he shot a couple parked in their car, killing the woman and severely injuring the man.
A month later a reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle receives the first of a series of cryptic and coded letters signed by the Zodiac. Robert Graysmith is particularly intrigued by them, but as the newspaper's cartoonist no one takes him seriously until he cracks the code and begins collaborating with crime reporter Jack Avery.
The killer strikes several more times and Detectives Dave Toschi and Bill Armstrong are assigned to the case, working with several other jurisdictions as the murders cross county lines. Meanwhile he taunts them in his letters, claims they came close to catching him, and even calls a live television show. The police seem to be no closer to catching him and the entire city is in a panic.
The years pass and no progress is made despite Avery and Graysmith's strong interest, and the police questioning at least one very strong suspect. The failures take a toll on all involved and things further deteriorate when one of the detectives on the case is accused of forging a new Zodiac letter to maintain interest in the case.
Graysmith soldiers on, obsessed with the mystery and working on a book about it. But he is spooked when he starts getting anonymous phone calls. His persistence on solving the Zodiac case eventually costs him both his job and his marriage. He becomes convinced that the police had the right suspect all those years ago, and contacts Toschi repeatedly until finally the detective relents.
The two men compare notes, and although Toschi can't disclose all the information he has, Graysmith's suspicions begin to appear more and more credible.
Best part of story, including ending:
It is very atmospheric, and a famous mystery.
Best scene in story:
The interrogation of the main suspect, he is super creepy.
Opinion about the main character:
He is genuinely fascinated by the case, and you can sympathize with that while also wanting him to drop it for his own good.