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Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Avery’s Riverside detour, the missing first murder, and reliance on Donald Cheney’s claims are the main weak-link concerns.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:53:16Read transcript

Avery’s trip to Riverside is considered confusing. — Chris Ryan
The film could explain the first Zodiac double murder more clearly. — Bill Simmons
The Donald Cheney material is entertaining but its credibility is questioned. — Sean Fennessey
The case against Arthur Leigh Allen rests heavily on disputed circumstantial claims. — Sean Fennessey

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

What’s Aged the Worst?

The abrupt four-year title card, too little Downey–Gyllenhaal time, their fictionalized friendship, Anthony Edwards’s wig, and the film’s persuasive Arthur Leigh Allen framing

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:56:40Read transcript

Replacing a planned two-minute musical time-passage montage with the abrupt “four years later” card is criticized. — Bill Simmons
The film is judged about five minutes short on Downey and Gyllenhaal together. — Bill Simmons
Their entertaining friendship is acknowledged as a movie invention rather than a real friendship. — Chris Ryan
Anthony Edwards wearing a wig is criticized. — Bill Simmons
The movie left one host certain Arthur Leigh Allen was the killer for years, a confidence later evidence unsettled. — Sean Fennessey

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

The Rose From Titanic “Sneaky Suck” Award

Melanie Graysmith is nominated for “sneaky suck,” but the panel disputes it: one case says she knew from the first date that Robert was obsessive, while the defense calls her reasonable and extraordinarily patient.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:59:16Read transcript

Melanie Graysmith is nominated for the sneaky-suck award. — Bill Simmons
The nomination is immediately disputed as she is called reasonable and cool. — Bill Simmons
The case against her is that Robert revealed his obsessive behavior on their first date, so she knew what she was entering. — Bill Simmons
The defense notes she is the film’s only substantial female character and is written with extraordinary patience in a male institutional world. — Sean Fennessey

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

The Rick Dalton Award for the Greatest Fucking Acting I’ve Ever Seen

Robert Downey Jr.’s houseboat performance

Flex pick · Bill Simmons

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 02:01:21Read transcript

Downey’s delivery of “somebody should write a book” is singled out.
His physical acting on the houseboat is praised.
The scene’s exposed, disheveled presentation strengthens the performance.

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Zodiac as the greatest American crime film; Zodiac as the greatest serial-killer brand

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 02:01:50Read transcript

A modern Zodiac case would be flattened into partisan internet discourse.
Zodiac is proposed as the greatest American crime film. — Sean Fennessey
Its attention to the actual work of solving crime distinguishes it. — Sean Fennessey
The Zodiac is proposed as the greatest serial killer by legacy and elusiveness. — Bill Simmons
The self-created name and communications are cited as a uniquely strong gimmick. — Bill Simmons
Modern DNA and cameras are said to make serial killing harder. — Bill Simmons
Taking credit for unrelated crimes may have distorted the investigation. — Sean Fennessey

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

Casting What-Ifs

Gary Oldman, Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Aniston appear in a detailed casting history.

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 02:07:46Read transcript

Gary Oldman was considered for Melvin Belli but physical resemblance was an issue. — Sean Fennessey
Orlando Bloom was lined up as an alternative Graysmith. — Sean Fennessey
Jennifer Aniston reportedly recommended Gyllenhaal and Ruffalo to Fincher. — Sean Fennessey
Aniston declined the Chloë Sevigny role. — Sean Fennessey
Fincher wanted Brad Pitt for Avery before Robert Downey Jr. — Bill Simmons
The panel prefers Downey’s fast, nervy energy for Avery. — Sean Fennessey

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

No single winner: John Terry, Charles Fleischer, and other veteran supporting actors

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 02:09:32Read transcript

John Getz is nominated but considered too recognizable.
John Terry is nominated. — Sean Fennessey
Charles Fleischer is nominated. — Bill Simmons
The actor who played Father Intintola on The Sopranos is nominated. — Bill Simmons
The actor associated with Kicking and Screaming and Beverly Hills, 90210 is nominated. — Bill Simmons
The panel notes that many classic That Guys have graduated from eligibility. — Bill Simmons

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Clea DuVall

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 02:11:24Read transcript

John Carroll Lynch is nominated.
Charles Fleischer is nominated for one basement scene. — Chris Ryan
Clea DuVall is selected for commanding her single interview scene. — Chris Ryan
Brian Cox is nominated for two highly seasoned scenes.
Melvin Belli’s housekeeper receives a low-key nomination.

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

Recasting Couch

Reject Michael Keaton for Anthony Edwards; John Slattery for the ensemble

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 02:12:16Read transcript

Michael Keaton is proposed for Anthony Edwards’s role. — Sean Fennessey
The proposal is rejected because Keaton would be too large for the role’s assist function. — Sean Fennessey
Fincher reportedly called Anthony Edwards the embodiment of an assist. — Sean Fennessey
John Slattery is proposed for an unspecified supporting role.

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

The Action Is the Juice Award for Best Milking of the Moment

John Carroll Lynch going toe to toe with Mark Ruffalo

Flex pick · Sean Fennessey

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 02:14:43Read transcript

The spoken category variant specifies the best toe-to-toe moment for a non-star. — Sean Fennessey
John Carroll Lynch is selected for dominating the Arthur Leigh Allen interrogation opposite Ruffalo. — Sean Fennessey

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

The Dan Campbell Scale for “Holy Shit, Are They Really Going for It Right Now?”

The basement scene

Flex pick · Sean Fennessey

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 02:14:57Read transcript

The full Dan Campbell scale purpose is spoken. — Sean Fennessey
The basement sequence makes the panel ask whether the film has turned into Halloween. — Bill Simmons

Zodiac The Rewatchables January 26, 2026

Half-Assed Internet Research

Period reconstruction, digital photography, a 1972 sting film, repeated straw takes, Ruffalo’s deal, and a cocktail

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 02:15:19Read transcript

Production used period photos to recreate streets, cars, and the number of Volkswagen Beetles. — Bill Simmons
The Thomson Viper digital camera is discussed as an early major digital-production choice. — Bill Simmons
A 1972 Zodiac movie was reportedly screened as part of an attempted sting. — Bill Simmons
The filmmakers behind that movie hoped the killer would attend. — Bill Simmons
Downey’s straw trick reportedly required 26 takes. — Bill Simmons
Ruffalo recounts a blunt studio negotiation over his casting. — Bill Simmons
The movie’s cocktail recipe is enumerated and judged unappealing.