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

When Susan Schiffer is being stopped by the police, she says to the officer 'excuse me! I am a member of the press!' but her mouth is not moving.

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Quotes

Reuben Goetz: [to Monahan upon entering the room with take-out food] Bean curd, smoked eel, sushi...
Reuben Goetz: [Noticing Nicoletti is there too] Oh, Nico! Uh, W-we got prawn tempura, sea-weed salad... you want to join us?
Nicoletti: [Sarastically] You kiss your mother after you eat that stuff?
Reuben Goetz: No, I can kiss you if you like.
Nicoletti: [Nastily] Go fuck yourself, Reuben.

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Connections

Featured in The Adam and Joe Show: Episode #1.3 (1996)

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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

Serial Killing as Art?

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.