The Box Office Letdown of David Fincher's True Crime Masterpiece

Modern audiences have two easily accessible metrics to gauge the success of a feature film: the Rotten Tomatoes score, which indicates audience perception, and the box office revenue, which reflects the number of viewers. However, solely relying on these numbers may cause one to overlook numerous exceptional films. Such was the case with David Fincher's Zodiac, a neo-noir masterpiece that was highly acclaimed by critics but took some time to gain traction with audiences.

Interestingly, Zodiac, released in 2007, often gives the impression of belonging to the 90s era. Its reputation as a genre-defining landmark seems incompatible with being released in the same year as Michael Bay's debut Transformers film. Notably, Zodiac marked Fincher's sixth directorial venture, with acclaimed films like Se7en and Fight Club preceding it by years. Unfortunately, Zodiac faced challenges in an unconventional theatrical market, resulting in limited success.

David Fincher's Zodiac was set up to fail

The budget for Zodiac is a subject of debate, ranging from a possible $65 million to $85 million. It is evident that regardless of the actual amount, the film did not manage to generate sufficient earnings to turn a profit. It is commonly understood in the film industry that doubling the production budget is necessary to accommodate marketing expenses. By this estimation, the studio potentially incurred losses between $45.3 million and $85.3 million due to Zodiac. However, the film likely made up a significant portion of this shortfall through home video sales, particularly considering the novelty of Netflix streaming at the time. In fact, DVD rentals alone contributed $6.7 million in the initial week. It is important to note that Zodiac cannot be held responsible for its financial shortcomings. Upon its release, the movie was greeted with acclaim from critics and has since gained recognition as a classic amongst those who have experienced it. Director Fincher expressed his views candidly in an interview with Sight and Sound in May 2007.

Despite the current state of the box office, I believe there is still an audience for this movie. Different individuals have varied perspectives on marketing, but my belief is that if you market a film to 16-year-old boys and fail to deliver something similar to Saw or Seven, they will be the most vocal in expressing their dislike for the movie after watching it. By doing so, you are effectively pushing away the audience that would have appreciated it, as they would see the advertisements and deem it as just another slasher film.

Modern blockbusters face scrutiny based on the decline in ticket sales during the second weekend. A significant drop in ticket sales implies that something went wrong, with critics and viewers often attributing it to negative word of mouth. The initial hype may have convinced many to watch the film on its opening night, but their negative reviews and opinions deterred others from watching it the following week. For instance, Zodiac experienced a decline of over 50% in its second weekend. Although it was an outstanding film, its marketing failed to convey the right message. As Fincher mentioned, some American viewers felt deceived, believing they were sold a different type of movie. As a result, they shared their negative experiences with anyone who would listen. The first Zodiac trailer had an inconsistent tone, failing to highlight the film's clever and cerebral nature. Instead, it primarily focused on the horror elements, which were not the film's strongest aspect. This misjudgment ultimately led to Zodiac's downfall at the box office.

Zodiac has become a cult classic

Zodiac's immense popularity undermines its status as a mere cult classic. It appeared on numerous critics' top ten lists, narrowly missing out on the top spots occupied by "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood." Esteemed directors like Bong Joon-ho have even hailed it as one of their favorite films. This 2007 thriller garnered nominations for an array of prestigious awards and was recognized as the 12th best film of the 21st century in a BBC poll conducted in 2012. However, despite its acclaim, Zodiac's financial performance presents a compelling lesson on how a critically lauded feature can struggle to find success. Unlike a crowd-pleasing Marvel movie, Zodiac is intense, emotionally devastating, and intricate in its storytelling. Consequently, it failed to attract the masses and was even outperformed by the lackluster "Wild Hogs" during their shared opening weekend at the box office. While "Wild Hogs" received a paltry 14% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Zodiac earned an impressive 90%. Therefore, quality alone does not determine success. Zodiac's underperformance at the box office may astonish present-day fans who regard it as a highly influential neo-noir film. It has transcended being labeled a commercial failure, and the notion that it would have struggled financially seems inconceivable. However, if released today, it would likely be considered a disastrous flop, partly due to the decline of the home video market. Nonetheless, Zodiac's financial setback is but a minor footnote in its captivating legacy. Box office failure can be transcended by the film's enduring cultural significance and critical acclaim.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the box office letdown of David Fincher's True Crime Masterpiece, Zodiac. On the one hand, I understand that the film's dark and complex subject matter may not have appealed to a wide audience. The film's slow pacing and lack of action sequences may also have turned off some viewers who were expecting a more fast-paced and thrilling movie.

On the other hand, I believe that Zodiac is a well-made and thought-provoking film that deserves more recognition. The film's cinematography, acting, and directing are all top-notch, and the story is both gripping and suspenseful. I also appreciate the film's attention to detail and its realistic portrayal of the Zodiac killer case. Overall, I believe that Zodiac is a film that is worth watching, and I am glad that it has gained a cult following in the years since its release.