Zodiac Characters

Zodiac: Character Analysis

Graysmith (the Outsider) 

Robert Graysmith is the core character in Zodiac. He is a cartoonist with the San Francisco Examiner who is obsessed with puzzles, especially puzzles involving codes. As a result, the Zodiac killers coded messages to the public and the police grab his attention. Graysmith has a clean-cut boy vibe, like the Eagle Scout he used to be. He has a young son, and is divorced from his wife. He is polite, but not very outspoken, very much an outside. In fact, Fincher emphasizes his isolation by usually filming him outside of building and or the edges of groups. Although Graysmith doesn't have legal authority, he pushed the case investigation forward, and never gives up, even when he begins receiving creepy phone calls late at night.
  

Toschi (Lawbringer)

Dave Toschi is portrayed by the film as the central, main lawful figure, the bringer of justice. He leads the investigation of the Zodiac killer case and is determined to catch the murderer and make sure they receive the justice. Toschi has a "By the book" mentality that dictates hiss every action, making sure he process the investigation correctly and not go too far. However, this mentality often hinders his effectiveness as an detective as often dismisses Graysmith's findings and requests to investigate. Ironically, Fincher portrays this character as a main force to be reckoned with but in reality there is only so much he could actually do, restricted by his own morals and jurisdiction possibly being the cause of the case remaining unsolved.