Thriller

 Copycat

 In the mid 90’s, there was a resurgence in films about serial killers. This was kick started by the fantastic “Seven” starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. In the years following, many tried to match or top Seven for its style, premise and shock factor, but few have done so. But around the same time Seven was released, another serial killer film came out. It was not as big as Seven and was seriously underrated and underappreciated. Unless you’ve seen it, you will have a great appreciation for it. I’m talking about the film “Copycat”. Released only one month after Seven, Copycat cannot be seen as a... copy cat (excuse the pun) of Seven, as both films would have been green lighted and filmed closely together. 

The film starred Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter. Weaver plays criminal psychologist Helen Hudson, specialising in serial killers. In the opening of the film, we see her address a university lecturer, giving us a rundown of some of the most infamous killers in American history, and emphasising that they could be anyone; your neighbour, co-worker, or even a family member. Unbeknownst to her during the lecture, one of the current serial killers on the prowl is waiting for her. His name is Daryll Lee Cullum, played by Harry Connick Jnr totally against his image. He does not kill her, but scares her enough to force Dr. Hudson into her home and develop agoraphobia. Flash forwards thirteen months, and Helen is still struggling with the experience where she met her most admiring psychopath face to face. 

The story takes place in San Francisco, which in the past has had its own fair share of serial killers, including the Zodiac killer. It’s the perfect hunting ground for a new predator to strut his stuff. We don’t meet this killer face to face at first, instead we see him peering out of windows or through the lens of a camera, as he stalks his victims. His first three killings are all remnant of each other (as is usually the case with serial killers) and the police are struggling to catch him. Cue Holly Hunter as Inspector M.J. Monahan and her partner Inspector Getz. They approach Helen Hudson, asking for her professional advice and ideas on how to catch this killer. Helen is hesitant at first, but finds the strength to aid the police and quickly points out what they have failed to do so far; this new killer has been copying serial killers from the past. 

The film then takes its major turn and sets the pace for its duration when a new victim appears, but killed in a way completely different to the first victims. Inspector Monahan suggests it’s unrelated, but Helen draws on her knowledge of other serial killers and uncovers that this murderer is now copying a different serial killer from the past. This baffles Helen and the police, as this is completely unheard of with serial killers – they usually stick to the same style and routine. And so, the game is set and Dr. Hudson and Inspector Monahan work together to decipher the clues, follow the pattern and stop this killer… before they become his next targets. 

Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter have a great chemistry together, which is surprising as they are two very diverse actors with a different repertoire of films and characters behind them. The rest of the cast acquit themselves well, and an even bigger surprise here was the casting of Harry Connick Jnr in the role of another serial killer, who pops up in the film a couple of times to aid the search. Being known as a jazz singer and musician, Connick immerses himself into the role of a sadistic, red-neck gruff so well you can often forget who you’re watching. 

Copycat is an entertaining and well-made film. The story is gripping, filmed with a smart, sophisticated and stylish approach.

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