Awakening the Zodiac

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2:17

Awakening the Zodiac

R

2017

1h 40m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

32%

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

Jun 9, 2017

1/4

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.

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

Jun 8, 2017

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.

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

Jun 5, 2017

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.

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Carolyn Mauricette

Cinema Axis

May 16, 2019

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...

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Mike McGranaghan

Aisle Seat

Jun 11, 2017

2.5/4

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

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Rob Hunter

Film School Rejects

Jun 9, 2017

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.

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david G

@TALON3970 Jun 12, 2026

If the lighting in the film is so dark that half of the time you can't see what's going on then why bother... I watched it... wish that I could have seen it

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Goldfish 1

@RT74157380 Mar 17, 2025

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.

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K K

@RT94156066 Mar 6, 2025

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!

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Oct 25, 2021

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

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Apr 8, 2021

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

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Feb 25, 2020

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

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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, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 27, 2018
Runtime: 1h 40m

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