Awakening the Zodiac

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2:17

Awakening the Zodiac

R

Released Jun 9, 2017

1h 40m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

33%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

A couple find a 40-year-old film reel that depicts the gruesome murders of two people by a serial killer who vanished. They quickly set out to solve the mystery and claim a reward but soon find themselves the target of the person they are hunting.

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Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

Its pedestrian execution and the general sense that you're watching a facsimile of something so much better is overwhelming - meaning it's beyond underwhelming.

Rated: 1/4

Jun 9, 2017

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

True-crime obsessives may be disappointed that most of this film is fiction; but fans of grubby B-pictures should appreciate how assured the movie is.

Jun 8, 2017

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

Scant action arrives until the last half hour, and then it's frequently preposterous; with minor fine-tuning, some climactic peril here might easily play as slapstick.

Jun 5, 2017

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Carolyn Mauricette

Cinema Axis

Awakening the Zodiac might be interesting to check out as late-night TV fare, but the overall film will make you want to seek out other representations of the Zodiac Killer...

May 16, 2019

Full Review

Mike McGranaghan

Aisle Seat

While admittedly atmospheric and stylishly made, the picture does have some problems generating the kind of chills it clearly wants to elicit.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 11, 2017

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Rob Hunter

Film School Rejects

Increased stupidity at the end aside, it's more often than not a tight and effective little thriller offering a strong script, solid performances, and some creepy beats.

Jun 9, 2017

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Goldfish 1

Lazy writing and dumb character choices. It had ok production quality but it had cheesy writing. Very predictable and the script was weak. For having a shorter run time of an 1 hour 40 minutes, it felt like a drag to watch.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

Full Review

K K

Wow, I liked this movie and Leslie Bibb as Zoe did a fantastic job of being a person with challenges but rising up to meet them and not playing the stereotypical "victim" in dark dramas, scary, horror movies. I love when an actor really takes on their part and gives it up so I go "WOW they are all in to the part". Thanks. Sure Zoe was scared and had moments reflective of that emotional state. Yet, I loved that Zoe had backbone and showed us. I don't want to give away too many moments though. On the other end of the spectrum, McHattie was excellent as Zodiac. I was surprised in part in who died, who didn't and how. The movie was creative in using events not as recent as the original events. A fresher take on rather well-told real-life events. Give us a different take, spin if going to use more or less the same bike (story). The cast was a good, well acted, interesting story. Watch it and decide for yourself! I love the title!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Disappointing overall as the movie had potential from a legendary story about the Zodiac in San Francisco in the 60's then fast-forwarded to today as they tried to solve this crime. The ending didn't make sense, but I guess left it open for more future stories

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's not the greatest movie in the world, but it sure scared me!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is horrible and my life is now worse for having seen it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Scott W

was ok if I remember correctly

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/11/18

Full Review

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Jonathan Wright

Director

Shane West

Mick Branson

Leslie Bibb

Zoe Branson

Matt Craven

Harvey

Stephen McHattie

Actor

Nicholas Campbell

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Awakening the Zodiac: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A couple find a 40-year-old film reel that depicts the gruesome murders of two people by a serial killer who vanished. They quickly set out to solve the mystery and claim a reward but soon find themselves the target of the person they are hunting.

Director: Jonathan Wright
Producer: Michael Baker, Jeff Sackman
Screenwriter: Jennifer Archer, Mike Horrigan, Jonathan Wright
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment, Sony Pictures
Production Co: TAJJ Media, Bunk 11 Pictures
Rating: R (Violence and Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 27, 2018
Runtime: 1h 40m

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