Copycat (1995)

An agoraphobic psychologist and a female detective must work together to take down a serial killer who copies serial killers from the past.

Director:

Jon Amiel

Writers:

Ann Biderman, David Madsen

Stars:

Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sigourney Weaver	...	Helen Hudson
Holly Hunter	...	M.J. Monahan
Dermot Mulroney	...	Reuben Goetz
William McNamara	...	Peter Foley
Harry Connick Jr.	...	Daryll Lee Cullum
J.E. Freeman	...	Lt. Thomas Quinn
Will Patton	...	Nicoletti
John Rothman	...	Andy
Shannon O'Hurley	...	Susan Schiffer
Bob Greene	...	Pachulski
Tony Haney	...	Kerby
Danny Kovacs	...	Kostas
Tahmus Rounds	...	Landis
Scott DeVenney	...	Cop #1
David Michael Silverman	...	Mike

Storyline

Criminal profiler and psychologist Dr Helen Hudson becomes entangled in the deadly mind game of a vicious copycat serial killer Peter Foley. Due to the horrific attack Helen suffered in her past as an agoraphobic she is confined to her apartment. The killer uses this against her in his murderous attempts to become a famous serial killer. Detectives M. J Monahan and Reuben Goetz they have the challenge of trying to capture the killer before he kills again and uses his chance to commit another atrocious murder.

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Plot Keywords:

serial killer | psychologist | detective | computer | agoraphobia | 

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Taglines:

One man is copying the most notorious killers in history one at a time. Together, two women must stop him from killing again. Or they're next.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

El imitador

Filming Locations:

Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

£2,023,443 (UK) (17 May 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Regency Enterprises, New Regency Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sigourney Weaver is almost a foot taller than Holly Hunter, thus for many scenes Weaver would be sitting down to make their heights appear more equal.

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Goofs

The "victim" in the car at the gas station is still breathing.

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Quotes

Helen: Fuck you.
Peter: What?
Helen: You heard me, you little twerp. Do you think I'm afraid of you?
Peter: I know you are.
Helen: I know all about you. You're just a sad, second rate, boring, impotent little copycat.
[laughter]
Peter: Watch it bitch or I will slice that smile off your face, do you hear me?
Helen: Daryll Lee couldn't get it up either.
Peter: DO YOU HEAR ME?
Helen: [spits in Peter's face]
[...]

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Connections

Spoofed in Family Guy: Blind Ambition (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Murder by Numbers"
(1983)
Words by Sting
Music by Andy Summers
Performed by The Police
Courtesy of A&M Reco

User Reviews

excellent thriller

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.