Awakening the Zodiac 2017
Directed by
Jonathan Wright
Made by
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Plot Summary
In 1968, in Hunter’s Point, California, a tragic encounter occurs when the infamous Zodiac Killer claims the lives of David Arthur Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen on Lake Herman Road.
Fast forward to the present day in Virginia, where Mick Bradley, a struggling landscaper, takes a chance on improving his financial woes by purchasing an abandoned storage locker alongside his pawnbroker friend Harvey. Within the locker, they uncover a chilling find: home movie reels depicting the Zodiac murders filmed by the killer himself. After some initial reluctance, Mick’s wife Zoe decides to assist in the investigation, hoping to secure a $100,000 reward for any information that might lead to the Zodiac’s arrest.
As their investigation unfolds, danger encroaches when the Zodiac captures Tina, the manager of the storage unit facility, brutally slitting her throat. Driven by urgency, Mick and Zoe break into the storage facility office to unearth the identity of the individual who rented the Zodiac locker, ultimately discovering the name Betty Ferguson. This leads them to confront a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows outside.
Receiving a warning from his trailer park neighbor Ray about the peril of pursuing Zodiac, Mick pushes forward with Zoe and Harvey. They infiltrate the residence of Betty Ferguson and her husband Balthazar, only to be confronted at gunpoint by their son Benjamin Ferguson. Benjamin, revealing that his elderly parents reside in Florida, provides Harvey with a business card indicating he works as an editor at the Tri-County News Ledger. As they depart, a neighbor inquires if everything is alright, raising the stakes of their trespass.
Amid their relentless quest, Harvey stumbles upon a cipher key while examining one of the film reels. This discovery positions him to decode the infamous Zodiac cipher, while Zoe delves into town hall records to investigate Benjamin’s background. She uncovers startling parallels between Benjamin’s history and Zodiac, establishing links to San Francisco in the 1960s, particularly post-Vietnam War. Yet, Benjamin had since relocated to Virginia, pursuing theories suggesting that Zodiac was shifting eastward during the murder of cab driver Paul Stine.
Despite the disarray of facts, Mick becomes increasingly convinced that Benjamin is the Zodiac. Zoe grows concerned as Mick’s increasingly erratic behavior leads him down a path of paranoia, especially when they find Harvey has gone missing—a presumed abandonment in pursuit of the reward.
In a frantic search, Mick investigates the area above their pawnshop and discovers a gruesome sight: Harvey’s murdered body. Meanwhile, Zoe tracks Harvey’s van, only to unwittingly lead herself into the clutches of the Zodiac. A menacing call from Zoe’s phone escalates the tension as Zodiac taunts Mick, threatening him to refrain from involving the police.
With Zoe captured, Zodiac reveals his chilling rationale: he had not killed in 40 years, having once followed Benjamin from San Francisco, knowing that he was close to unraveling his identity. It was the negligence of his locker payments that reignited his psychopathic tendencies.
The gripping conclusion arrives as Mick confronts Zodiac at a remote farm. In an electrifying clash, Mick bravely fights to rescue Zoe, leading to a fierce showdown across the farm. Ultimately, after a tense struggle, Zoe manages to subdue Zodiac, allowing Mick to shoot him in the throat.
Four weeks later, as the investigation continues into the recent spate of murders, Mick mysteriously disappears while fixing a light outside their trailer. When Zoe expresses concern, an unsettling shadow looms in the background, leaving their fate uncertain.
Timeline
Zodiac Killer's First Victims
In 1968, in Hunter's Point, California, the Zodiac Killer claims his first victims, David Arthur Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen. This tragic encounter unfolds on Lake Herman Road, marking the beginning of a notorious series of murders that would haunt the region for decades.
Present Day Storage Locker Discovery
Fast forward to the present day in Virginia, where Mick Bradley and his friend Harvey purchase an abandoned storage locker. Upon opening it, they discover disturbing home movie reels that depict the Zodiac murders, igniting a dangerous quest for answers.
Zoe Joins the Investigation
Initially hesitant, Mick's wife Zoe decides to assist in the investigation. Motivated by the prospect of a $100,000 reward, Zoe becomes increasingly involved as they delve deeper into the chilling evidence left behind by the Zodiac Killer.
Tina's Kidnapping
As Mick and Zoe continue their investigation, Tina, the manager of the storage facility, becomes a victim of the Zodiac. In a brutal attack, he captures her and slits her throat, raising the stakes and urgency of Mick and Zoe's quest for answers.
Discovery of Betty Ferguson
In a desperate attempt to track the Zodiac, Mick and Zoe break into the storage facility office. They uncover records identifying Betty Ferguson as the person who rented the Zodiac's locker, leading them to confront a mysterious figure lurking outside.
Warning from Ray
Mick receives a cautionary warning from his neighbor Ray, alerting him to the dangers of pursuing the Zodiac. Despite the ominous advice, Mick remains determined to uncover the truth alongside Zoe and Harvey, unaware of the impending peril.
Confrontation with Benjamin Ferguson
Mick, Zoe, and Harvey infiltrate the home of Betty Ferguson, only to be met at gunpoint by their son, Benjamin. He reveals that his parents live in Florida, yet provides a business card indicating he works as an editor, tying him into their investigation.
Harvey Discovers the Cipher
In a pivotal moment, Harvey finds a cipher key among the film reels they recovered. This discovery sets him on a path to decode the notorious Zodiac cipher, while Zoe probes local records to unearth more about Benjamin's past.
Zoe's Connection to the Zodiac
Zoe's research reveals striking connections between Benjamin's background and the Zodiac, indicating ties to San Francisco in the 1960s. Her findings suggest that Benjamin may be the key to understanding the Zodiac's movements and motivations.
Harvey Goes Missing
As Mick becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the Zodiac's identity, Harvey's sudden disappearance raises alarms. It’s suspected that he may have abandoned Mick and Zoe in pursuit of the reward for the killer's capture.
Discovery of Harvey's Body
In a shocking turn of events, Mick discovers the gruesome remains of Harvey hidden in the area above their pawnshop. This horrific finding pushes Mick and Zoe further into a life-or-death confrontation with the Zodiac, heightening their sense of urgency.
Zoe's Capture
During a frantic search for answers, Zoe inadvertently falls into the Zodiac's trap. Captured by the killer, she soon receives a menacing phone call from him, escalating the tension as he threatens Mick to keep the police out of the matter.
Zodiac Reveals His Motive
As the Zodiac confronts Zoe, he chillingly reveals that he has not killed anyone in 40 years. His motivation stems from feeling exposed as Benjamin drew closer to unraveling his identity, reigniting his murderous impulses after years of dormancy.
Final Showdown at the Farm
The climactic confrontation between Mick and the Zodiac occurs at a remote farm. In a fierce struggle, Mick fights to save Zoe, allowing her to turn the tides and subdue the killer, leading to Mick shooting him in a moment of desperation.
Mick's Mysterious Disappearance
Four weeks after the confrontation, Mick mysteriously disappears while fixing a light outside their trailer. Zoe feels an unsettling presence looming nearby, leaving her fate—and the truth about Mick's disappearance—in uncertain territory.
Characters
Mick Bradley
Mick Bradley is a struggling landscaper whose desperation to improve his financial situation leads him into a dangerous investigation. His determination spirals into obsession as he risks everything to uncover the truth about the Zodiac Killer, often placing his loved ones in jeopardy. Over time, his increasing paranoia reveals a darker side to his character.
Zoe
Zoe, Mick's wife, initially joins the investigation with hopes of a financial reward but soon becomes entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Her character is marked by resilience, yet she wrestles with concerns over Mick's erratic behavior. Throughout the film, Zoe's strength emerges as she fights for survival against the chilling threats posed by the Zodiac.
Harvey
Harvey, Mick's pawnbroker friend, adds a layer of complexity to the investigation. His discovery of a cipher key marks a pivotal moment in solving the Zodiac mystery. Despite his initial enthusiasm, his fate serves as a grim reminder of the dangers inherent in pursuing such a dark obsession.
Benjamin Ferguson
Benjamin Ferguson is shrouded in mystery, initially appearing as a potential suspect in the Zodiac investigation. His connection to both the past and present adds intrigue, as revelations about his family's history spark intense scrutiny. The film portrays him as both a victim of circumstances and a possible antagonist.
Setting
Time period
1960s, Present Day
The movie spans two significant time periods: the 1960s, when the Zodiac Killer was active, and the present day, where the characters uncover the dark legacy of those crimes. The 1960s were marked by social upheaval and changing values, while the present day showcases a struggle with the haunting repercussions of unresolved mysteries from the past.
Location
Hunter's Point, California, Virginia
Hunter's Point, California, serves as the backdrop for the film's grim historical events, specifically the early Zodiac murders in 1968. Virginia is depicted as a modern-day setting where Mick and Zoe undertake a dangerous investigation. This contrast highlights the unsettling history of the Zodiac Killer as it bleeds into their present lives.
Themes
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Suspense
Suspense pervades the film as Mick and Zoe's quest for truth leads them deeper into danger. The unfolding investigation draws viewers into a tense atmosphere, where every revelation heightens the stakes. The theme is underscored by the constant threat posed by the Zodiac, creating a palpable sense of dread.
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Obsession
The theme of obsession is central to Mick's character as his fixation on unraveling the Zodiac's identity takes a toll on his relationships and mental state. This drive leads him to make perilous choices, blurring the line between determination and madness. The allure of the reward compounds this obsession, driving the narrative forward.
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