Awakening the Zodiac (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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