David Fincher's 'Zodiac': A Crime Thriller That Almost Gets It Right

David Fincher's 2007 crime thriller, "Zodiac", tells the story of detectives and reporters hunting down the infamous Zodiac Killer. Despite its high praise for historical accuracy, there's one mistake that sticks out like a sore thumb. Former homicide detective Pat Postiglione pointed out a crucial error while speaking with Insider. In the movie, Mark Ruffalo's character, Inspector Dave Toschi, picks up a bullet casing with a pencil, which would never happen in a real crime scene investigation. Experts like Postiglione know that preserving evidence is key, so scenes should showcase this attention to detail. The Zodiac Killer, active since the 1970s, had a specific modus operandi, targeting victims with precision. Unlike disorganized killers, who act spontaneously, the Zodiac Killer planned his attacks meticulously. Postiglione explained that moving or touching evidence, such as the bullet casing, could contaminate it, losing valuable clues like fingerprints or DNA. Real-life investigations involve photographing and videotaping the scene before any evidence is collected by specialists to maintain its integrity. Fincher's film, despite this flaw, does a commendable job of portraying the serial killer and investigation accurately. Most of the details align with real events, making the movie engaging and historically faithful. This balance of realism and storytelling is why "Zodiac" continues to be lauded by critics and audiences alike.