Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Awakening the Zodiac (2017) movie poster

Plot Summary

Awakening the Zodiac (2017) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 100 min · English
Echo score 51
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Jonathan Wright
Starring
Leslie Bibb, Nicholas Campbell, Matt Craven, Shane West, Stephen McHattie, Kenneth Welsh

A couple's life takes a dark turn after they find an old film reel that unveils a decades-old serial killer's crimes. Their investigation into the killer's past reign of terror leads them down a dangerous path, and they soon realize they are being hunted. As they get closer to uncovering the truth, they become the ultimate targets in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Awakening the Zodiac
  6. 6 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Awakening the Zodiac: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Awakening the Zodiac (2017) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

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.

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 18:51

Was this helpful?

Plot questions answered

Awakening the Zodiac Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Awakening the Zodiac (2017): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does the Zodiac Killer start killing again after 40 years?

The Zodiac reveals that he stopped killing for four decades after his initial reign of terror. However, when Benjamin Ferguson began investigating him and got dangerously close to uncovering his identity, the Zodiac felt exposed and his dormant psychopathic tendencies were reignited. The discovery of his old storage locker being opened and investigated triggered him to resume his murders, starting with Tina the storage facility manager.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Benjamin's investigative work into Zodiac, which directly triggers the Killer's return to violence.

  • zodiac killer
  • motive
  • resumed killing
  • 40 years
  • benjamin ferguson
Q2

Is Benjamin Ferguson the Zodiac Killer?

The movie strongly implies Benjamin Ferguson is NOT the Zodiac. While Zoe discovers suspicious connections between Benjamin's past and the Zodiac, including his ties to San Francisco in the 1960s and the Vietnam War era, the actual Zodiac is revealed to be someone else entirely. Benjamin was simply an investigator who got close to the truth, which is what attracted the real Zodiac's attention and paranoia.

Foreshadowing: Zoe's research shows Benjamin moved to Virginia pursuing theories about Zodiac shifting eastward during Paul Stine's murder.

  • benjamin ferguson
  • zodiac identity
  • suspect
  • investigator
Q3

What did Harvey find on the film reels that was so important?

Harvey discovers a cipher key hidden within the Zodiac's home movie reels. This key positions him to decode the infamous Zodiac cipher, which has puzzled investigators for decades. This discovery becomes a major plot point that drives the investigation forward and gives the characters hope of identifying the killer.

Foreshadowing: The film reels are shown to contain more than just murder footage, there's hidden encoded information.

  • cipher key
  • film reels
  • zodiac cipher
  • decoding
  • harvey
Q4

How does the Zodiac find out about Mick and Zoe's investigation?

The Zodiac remains unnamed throughout the film but clearly has resources to monitor people investigating him. He kills Tina when she becomes a threat, then tracks Mick and Zoe through their investigation. When Zoe tracks Harvey's van to find him, she unknowingly leads the Zodiac directly to herself, resulting in her capture. His surveillance capabilities and knowledge of the investigation methods suggest he's been watching people for years.

Foreshadowing: Ray's warning about the danger of pursuing Zodiac foreshadows that he is watching them.

  • zodiac surveillance
  • tracking
  • investigation
  • capture
Q5

What happens to Harvey and where is he killed?

Harvey goes missing while pursuing the investigation independently, leading Mick and Zoe to believe he abandoned them for the $100,000 reward. However, Mick later discovers Harvey's brutal murder hidden in the area above their pawnshop. The Zodiac murdered him, using his body as a chilling message and warning to Mick and Zoe about the consequences of continuing their investigation.

Foreshadowing: Harvey's decision to go alone with the cipher key puts him directly in the Killer's path.

  • harvey death
  • murdered
  • pawnshop
  • body discovery
Q6

Why does the Zodiac capture Zoe specifically?

The Zodiac captures Zoe to use her as leverage against Mick. He calls Mick and threatens him, demanding that he not involve the police in the investigation. By taking Zoe, the Killer gains control over Mick's actions and ensures his identity remains protected. This also allows him to directly confront the people who were getting closest to exposing him.

Foreshadowing: The escalating threats (Tina's murder, Harvey's death) all point to the Zodiac eliminating those who investigate him.

  • zoe capture
  • leverage
  • threat
  • police
Q7

What is the connection between Benjamin Ferguson and the Zodiac Killer?

Benjamin Ferguson is an editor at the Tri-County News Ledger who was independently investigating the Zodiac Killer. His research connects him to San Francisco in the 1960s, particularly after the Vietnam War era. The Zodiac became obsessed with Benjamin precisely because he was getting too close to uncovering the truth. The Killer even followed Benjamin from San Francisco to Virginia, making Benjamin the catalyst for his return to murder after 40 years.

Foreshadowing: Benjamin's business card and profession as an investigative journalist explain his dangerous curiosity.

  • benjamin ferguson
  • san francisco
  • vietnam
  • editor
  • investigation
Q8

Does the Zodiac Killer reveal his name in the movie?

The Zodiac Killer never reveals his actual name throughout the movie. He remains a shadowy, unnamed figure despite being confronted and ultimately killed. The film focuses on his motive (protecting his identity from Benjamin's investigation) rather than his personal identity, leaving the question of his real name unresolved, consistent with the real-life unsolved Zodiac case.

Foreshadowing: The entire investigation revolves around uncovering his identity, yet it never happens.

  • zodiac name
  • identity
  • reveal
  • anonymity
Q9

Is the Zodiac Killer actually killed at the end?

Yes, the Zodiac appears to be killed in the final confrontation at the remote farm. After a violent struggle, Zoe manages to subdue him and Mick shoots the Killer in the throat. However, the ambiguous ending, with Mick mysteriously disappearing four weeks later and a dark shadow looming behind Zoe, suggests the threat may not be fully eliminated, leaving viewers uncertain about whether the Zodiac truly died or if danger still remains.

Foreshadowing: The unresolved nature of the real Zodiac case influences this ambiguous conclusion.

  • zodiac death
  • final confrontation
  • farm
  • killed
Q10

What happens to Mick at the end of the movie?

Four weeks after the confrontation with the Zodiac, Mick mysteriously disappears while fixing a light outside his trailer. When Zoe expresses concern, the camera reveals an unsettling shadow looming in the background behind her, implying that either the Zodiac survived and returned for revenge, or another threat has emerged. This ambiguous ending leaves Mick's fate and the couple's future uncertain.

Foreshadowing: The movie's dark, tense tone and unresolved Zodiac mystery prepare viewers for this ominous conclusion.

  • mick disappearance
  • ending
  • ambiguous
  • shadow
  • trailer

Movie threads

More Movies Like Awakening the Zodiac, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Awakening the Zodiac tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Cipher Hunters and Dangerous Obsessions movies like Awakening the Zodiac

Ordinary people unraveling a dark mystery that puts them in the crosshairs. If you liked Awakening the Zodiac, you'll enjoy these movies about characters drawn into a perilous investigation. This collection features thrillers and mysteries where ordinary people decode dangerous secrets, leading to a tense cat-and-mouse game with a relentless threat.

  • obsessive
  • thrilling
  • paranoid
  • investigative
  • hunted
  • deadly secrets
  • Tone: tense, paranoid
  • Pacing: steady, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows protagonists who make a chance discovery—a film, a document, or a clue—that ignites an obsession with a past crime. As they get closer to the truth, the initial intellectual thrill transforms into a fight for survival against a present and active danger.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by the core premise of an amateur investigation spiraling into personal peril. They share a high-stakes, paranoid atmosphere where the pursuit of knowledge becomes a direct physical threat.

Paranoid Thrillers of Relentless Pursuit similar to Awakening the Zodiac

A steady escalation of dread as characters are stalked by an unseen threat. Fans of Awakening the Zodiac will appreciate these tense, paranoid thrillers. This selection focuses on movies with a high-intensity, steady pace where protagonists are relentlessly pursued, creating a feeling of inescapable dread and constant danger from an ominous force.

  • suspenseful
  • paranoid
  • hunted
  • ominous
  • tense
  • stalked
  • Tone: tense, dark, ominous
  • Pacing: steady, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives begin with a triggering event that shatters the characters' ordinary lives. The threat is often indirect at first—through clues, messages, or a sense of being watched—before escalating into direct, violent confrontation, maintaining a high level of suspense throughout.

Why they belong together: This thread connects movies through their core emotional experience: sustained paranoia and the visceral fear of being prey. The shared elements are a tense tone, steady pacing that builds dread, and a high-intensity scenario where the protagonists are unequivocally the hunted.

If you liked this

Movies Like Awakening the Zodiac

Similar movies to Awakening the Zodiac: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Awakening the Zodiac (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Awakening the Zodiac in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app