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Copycat (1995)

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98 Nutzerkommentare insgesamt

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24 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-
Gripping; definitely _not_ a carbon copy., 21. Februar 2000
Author: Rid.X

Contrary to what several users have written, "Copycat" is _not_ "Silence of the Lambs 2". Nor is it a rip-off of "Se7en", or an exploitation flick, or any other negative labels that have been foisted upon it. Rather, it's a gripping, and largely intriguing thriller that succeeds thanks to performances by two confident female leads, competent direction, intelligent writing, and an appropriately foreboding score courtesy of Christopher Young, who's fast becoming one of my favorite film composers.

Sigourney Weaver hits the right notes as the agoraphobic psychiatrist, especially early on, as we see the depths to which she has shut herself off from the outside world, creating her own safe little corner. Holly Hunter, in a role that instantly brings to mind Jane Craig from "Broadcast News", is effective as the investigating detective. Hers is a performance that is three-dimensional and fully-realized.

If there's a weakness in the film, it's the ongoing beef between Ruben and Nico. It's a meritless p***ing contest stemming from one character's jealousy, and could've easily been dropped or retooled. This small gripe, however, didn't deter my enjoyment of the film.

Much credit has to be given to director Jon Amiel ("Sommersby", "Entrapment") for effectively capturing the atmosphere and tension prevalent throughout the film. In addition, writers Ann Biderman and David Madsen deserve credit for a intelligent, well-researched screenplay. No clichés here, just sharply-crafted dialogue. And Christopher Young's inspired score is brilliant; just listen to the theme that plays early on, as Helen calms down after a panic attack.

"Copyat" may not be classic material, but it's a strong entry in a genre that's too often consumed by formulas and gore. Highly recommended.

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22 out of 24 people found the following comment useful :-
Well worth seeing., 9. August 2003

Author: Scott LeBrun von Winnipeg, Canada

A psychiatrist (Sigourney Weaver) who's an expert on serial killers is targeted by a devious, brainy psycho who's intent on making history by paying homage to murders committed by monsters such as Berkowitz, Dahmer, and Bundy.

While not totally without flaws (yes, I can see some of the holes in the script), this *is* a slick, stylish, and professionally handled "cop vs. killer" story with a top-notch, A-list cast. It maintains interest for approximately two hours although it goes a little too astray from the main story at times. Did it really need the subplot involving detective Monahan (Holly Hunter) and her bitter ex-boyfriend (and fellow detective) Nicoletti (played by Will Patton)? It makes the running time more padded out than it needs to be.

However, I have seen it before, and it was worth watching again. That's an indicator of how successful it is at affecting me on a gut level.

That character that Harry Connick, Jr. plays is just too creepy and disgusting for words!

Overall, as far as "cop vs. killer" movies go (and there have been way too many of those), this one is pretty good. I gave it eight out of ten.

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27 out of 34 people found the following comment useful :-
A masterpiece that takes you inside the mind of a serial killer..., 28. Januar 1999

Author: Andy R. Olivera (andyo@jps.net) von USA

It all starts with Dr. Helen Hudson(Weaver) giving a lecture on serial killers, little knowing that she's about to have an encounter with one. After her lecture is over she visits the restroom, and is attacked by one Daryll Lee Cullum(Connick). Flash forward 13 months. We see Hudson yet again, but this time she's confined to her apartment. You see, she's now an agoraphobic, having retired after that fateful day. At the local police precinct detectives M.J. Monahan(Hunter) and Ruben Goetz(Mulroney) are tracking a killer of their own, played by William McNamara. He appears to be mimicing the MO's of various famous serial killers. Hudson hears about this over the radio and calls the precinct with some information. She speaks to Monahan, who thinks it's a crank call. Monahan and Goetz pay a little visit to Hudson's residence, carrying with them photographs of the recent crime scenes. Hudson determines the killer is indeed copying other serial killers. A while later, an unseen visitor breaks into her apartment, leaving the dress she was wearing the day she was attacked by Cullum neatly spread out on her bed. Her home is no longer safe. Monahan and Goetz have dragged her back into the world she tried to leave behind. Now Hudson must help the detectives catch the copycat before she becomes the next victim.

Realistic in just about every aspect, Copycat is right up there with Silence of the Lambs. Comparisons to Seven are not unwarrented, but the plot here is more believable. A very good cast, with Weaver giving one of the best perfomances of her career. Hunter and Mulroney are also excellent. The film is provided a very tense and terrifying atmosphere, thanks to director Jon Amiel. It doesn't need to wallow in needless violence and gore, because it has what every great Thriller needs: suspense on an epic scale. The violence is kept to a minimum, but what it contains can be a bit unsettling, if for no other reason than because we get to know how the killer thinks. Along the same lines, Weaver's portrayal of an agoraphobic is perfect. You don't have to imagine what Weaver is feeling when she steps out of her apartment, or what the killer is feeling while he murders his victims. You feel every bit of it, which is why this film succeeds so masterfully.

Copycat is that rare film that comes along every other year or so that has the ability to pull you into it. It takes you on a most terrifying journey into the mind of a serial killer and the doctor that understands him. I can't say anything more, except that I love this film. Hitchcock would've been proud.

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19 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :-
Silence of The Lambs meets Se7en - and does it well, 29. Dezember 1998

Author: ScottyB von Surrey (South London), England

From the opening scene, Sigourney Weaver (Helen Hudson) gives a stunning performance as a criminal psychologist going on to battle with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Her character is excellently portrayed with all the mood swings, panic attacks and ups and downs of a person fighting depression. She is backed up with another excellent lead character courtesy of Holly Hunter (Detective M J Monahan) who proves that attractive young actresses really can play a serious part well if they have the talent - a talent Holly Hunter has no problems expressing.

The plot is well written and takes you on the roller-coaster race against time (well is IS a suspense movie after all) as the homicide department are desperately trying to catch a copycat serial killer before he emulates any more infamous murderers. Attention to detail is impressive in the producing of this movie and the lead actresses are backed up my and excellent supporting cast with Dermot Mulroney providing Hunter with the dashing detective sidekick Ruben Goetz. The viewer is drawn to start thinking along the same lines as the lead characters and twists in the plot ensure that you don't get it all right ahead of the storyline.

Highly recommended for a night in. Dim the lights and settle down for almost 2 hours of quality entertainment.

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20 out of 26 people found the following comment useful :-
Best Thriller ever?, 22. November 2002

Author: spider63 von United States

Copycat is one of the best suspense thrillers I have ever seen. It really is an outstanding movie because it sort of creeps up on you and suddenly you realize that this movie is way better than almost any other thriller that you have ever seen. Sigourney Weaver does her best acting in this movie since ALIENS. She is excellent when she is vulnerable and yet tough at the same time. In other movies she is just tough, cranky, whiny, or mean. But here she is so tender and vulnerable, and yet she is the Woman of Steel! Holly Hunter, who can be anywhere from boring to pathetic to outstanding does a good job here mostly because she sticks to her character and does not inject too much of her personality into it. To a great degree, Holly Hunter plays the straight man to Sigourney Weaver, who is really the one emoting the most. The DRAGNET-style approach of Holly Hunter as a Detective makes Weaver's Skitzo-Paranoia problems seem more realistic. Weaver and Hunter are both outstanding in this movie (but Weaver is "In The Zone")

Will Patton is in this movie, and like his role in most movies, you have to wonder why he was in the movie at all. For some reason, he usually gets roles that could have been left out and would not have affected the movie in any way. In this case, he plays a Detective who is out of step and not paying attention to what is going on, and somebody else pays the price thanks to Will Patton being one step slower than everybody else. But what was the point? Just to add some action to a slow-paced psychological thriller?? It seems like the Director had to include a shoot-out, and he could not figure out where to put it, so it went into the middle of the movie with the most expendable supporting characters involved.

The only other negative is that the Serial Killer Copycat (William McNamara) looks like a cute underwear model for a JC Penney's Catalog (he is not quite Calvin Klein material). There is also a "Silence of The Lambs" type of connection to Harry Connick, Jr. who is the Original Serial Killer. The idea being that Connick is the inspiration and mentor for the new Copycat killer. That whole plot line is a bit dubious because Harry Connick, Jr. plays his role as if he were mentally retarded, unlike Anthony Hopkins, who plays psychopaths very well.

Additionally, I do not think prisons have prisoner e-mail and internet accounts. However, that myth has been around since "Silence of The Lambs" where Anthony Hopkins/Hannibal seemed to have ways of getting internet access and he also had secure (unchecked) postal mail service that allowed him to be sending and receiving letters to and from other lunatics (and Hopkins was also placing classified ads in newspapers to communicate with the other killer). Aside from those little details, COPYCAT is going to leave you in suspense until the last second. Weaver's excellent performance makes you care for her, and she also makes the villains believable and terrifying.

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14 out of 16 people found the following comment useful :-
One of the best serial killer movies, 24. Mai 2005

Author: MovieAddict2008 von UK

The serial killer genre is one that became popular after "Silence of the Lambs," and since then the only ones that have really stuck out are "Se7en," "Copycat" and "Saw." "Copycat" is about a psychologist who lectures students on serial killers, and one day finds herself to be a victim at one of her speeches. Attacked in the bathroom, she narrowly escapes death and becomes a social recluse in the years that follow -- living through the Internet, anonymously chatting on Internet chat rooms and so on and so forth.

Until the terror begins again, this time involving not only the ex-pschologist (Sigourney Weaver) but also a cop played by Holly Hunter.

"Copycat" was much better than I thought it would be. I originally saw it on TBS years ago; I remember the ads claiming it would be on, but for some reason the rights fell through and it didn't air for another month or so... through this time period I hadn't heard anything about the film, but within the very first few minutes I instantly knew it was going to be much better than the standard "Silence" rip-off.

I may be alone here (and trust me, I know it) but I enjoy this more than "Silence of the Lambs," which kind of bores me at times. "Copycat" is dark and unexpectedly intelligent -- it is also perfectly cast. Weaver is fine (if unexceptional) whereas Hunter's macho-female traits are put into play perfectly by her casting as a cop.

The killer in the movie is played by Harry Connick Jr., and even he does a good job, which is saying quite a lot.

The movie has unexpected twists and is very clever in its own right. It is undoubtedly influenced (heavily) by "Silence of the Lambs" but is successful in the way it adds its own qualities to the mix -- much like "Se7en" this is a serial killer movie cashing in on the success of "Silence," but not necessarily stealing its content.

Very surprised. Catch it if you can.

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11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
excellent thriller, 27. August 2002

Author: keys72 von Houston

This is an overlooked, intelligent, frightening thriller. It poses a sick, shrewd serial killer against a brilliant psychologist/writer/professor (Weaver) and an attractive team of cops. Weaver delivers an outstanding performance as the brilliant agorophobic (sp.?) who has been emotionally devastated by a prior run-in with a serial killer. Offers a clif's notes review of the century's major serial killers, constant tension, crisp writing and outstanding performances. In short, it is a very good, very scary movie, and you should see it it you haven't yet.

Personally, I also think Weaver looks fabulous. Brains and beauty and character. Nice combination.

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11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Serial Killing as Art?, 18. Februar 2002
Author: BaronBl00d (baronbl00d@aol.com) von NC

Definitely a film that will have you on the edge of your seat, if not hugging it as closely as possible. Copycat tells the story of a serial killer psychologist(wonderfully played by Sigourney Weaver), slowly working her way from phobias due to an attack from a serial killer, working with the law(serviceably played by a cute Holly Hunter) in search of a serial killer that kills in the previous styles of former serial killers. The murderer uses old photos and the books of Weaver to recapture the "essence" of each brutal killing. Murders are done ala Albert DeSalvo, Son of Sam, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and others. The film is very fascinating and yet very twisted too. The killer is played with such conviction by William McNamara. Another killer in prison(the one that attacked Weaver) is played with unusual repulsivenes by Harry Connick Jr. The real star here is the script which has unusual intelligence for such subject matter. There is a good deal of violence, yet a subtle humour pervades much of the discussion between the cops and even Weaver and Hunter in a few scenes. But the thrill aspect of the film...the raw suspense...steers the picture from beginning to end. Hunter and Weaver(particularly) do incredible jobs in their roles, and I was impressed with the film as a whole.

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21 out of 35 people found the following comment useful :-
Amazing, 13. April 2000

Author: dan9241 von New York, NY

This is the BEST thriller ever made. I know, everyone will crucify me for saying this, but I was bored by much of "Se7en." I think that "Copycat" is far superior. As for "Silence of the Lambs," comparisons - yes they are similar (with one convicted killer aiding people in catching another killer at large), and "Lambs," is naturally amazing (it deserved its Oscar), though it is not as scary as "Copycat." For some reason, "Copycat" struck the right chord with me. The small details of the killings are so clever and creepy, and they add to the atmosphere wonderfully. Sigourney Weaver is in one of the greatest roles of her career (though she is always fantastic), as is the remarkable Holly Hunter (who also provides some humor). Dermot Mulroney, William McNamara and Harry Connick Jr. round out the fine cast. However, in addition to the powerful female leads, it is the story that drives this movie. I was so hooked by it, and every twist had me on the edge of my seat. It is both terrifying AND well-made. And the score! I can't even begin to say how beautiful and haunting the music is. This is one movie I am very happy to own.

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5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
Well Thought out Serial Killer Movie, 29. Dezember 2006

Author: mjw2305 von England

A serial killer is claiming victims in the style of other killers from the recent past, homicide detective (Holly Hunter) needs the help of a noted criminal psychologist (Sigourney Weaver) if she is going to catch this killer. The trouble is she is an agoraphobic recluse haunted by her memories.

The characters build nicely as the story moves along at a steady pace, Weaver and Hunter both capture their characters very well and they are supported convincingly by Dermot Mulroney, William McNamara, Harry Connick Jnr. and Will Patton.

Copycat is full of suspense and intrigue, and it is a really solid film in every respect; it doesn't have the style or the punch of films like Seven and Silence of the Lambs, but it is definitely well worth watching.

7/10

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