Zodiac (2007)

Fincher's gripping detective story is so jam-packed with information it makes you feel like you're part of the investigation yourself.

Directed by: David Fincher

Cinematography by: Harris Savides

Country: United States

Genre: Neo-Noir/Crime/Thriller/Mystery/History/Horror/Drama

One of Hollywood’s most skilled directors of mystery, suspense, and thriller films, an argument could be made that David Fincher is the modern answer to Alfred Hitchcock (although Fincher’s films are far less groundbreaking). Fincher seems to agree with the real-life antagonist in Zodiac that man is the most dangerous game. The majority of Fincher’s films feature detectives, civilians, and spurned lovers hunting evil-doers and/or those who wronged them, constantly switching back-and-forth between predator and prey, as traps are laid by both sides, and the head games are never-ending.

Aside from the gripping stories, the sheer amount of textual and visual information that gets passed from character to character, character to audience, and director to audience, makes Fincher’s films ripe for repeat viewing. There’s always one more piece of evidence, one more scrap of information waiting to be uncovered. Fincher typically chooses to make his movies from adapted screenplays rather than original material, and the reason is apparent: he’s an expert at transforming text into images, and creating visual novels.

Distributed by: Paramount Pictures