Sigourney Weaver’s Psychological Thriller R Rated 90s A Tricky Game of Cat and Mouse
Written by Robert Scucci | Published
In 1995 Copycat it’s one of those movies that should be thrown hard if you’re a true crime fan and enjoy a solid psychological thriller. As a proto version of The Mindhunterfocuses on a story involving powerful killers such as Albert DeSalvo, the Hillside Strangler, David Berkowitz, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Ted Bundy, but all references are filtered through the perspective of a deranged criminal psychologist as he assists two homicide detectives in tracking down a killer who was impersonating the detectives’ MOs.
In this frame, and with the help of Sigourney Weaver’s on-screen chemistry with Holly Hunter and Dermot Mulroney, Copycat becomes a murder mystery thriller that can appeal to casual moviegoers and true crime enthusiasts alike.
A Murderer on the Loose, an Expert Trapped in His Trauma
Copycat First, he introduces us to the trauma that forces criminal psychologist Dr. Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver) to live a united life. Suffering from agoraphobia and drinking every day, Dr. Helen is the killer’s top morale officer. That mandate comes at a cost after she runs into escaped assassin Daryll Lee Cullum (Harry Connick Jr.) during one of her studies, an encounter that forces her to value her safety and privacy above all else. Although he still loves his research and crime prophecies, Dr. Helen experiences anxiety at the mere thought of leaving her luxurious home, sequestering herself within her technology.
When a series of murders begin to plague San Francisco, Inspector Mary Jane “MJ” Monahan (Holly Hunter) and her partner, Inspector Ruben Goetz (Dermot Mulroney), are tasked with not only finding the cause of the murders, but also keeping the possibility of a serial killer at bay to prevent public danger.
This is where the magic really happens Copycat. Dr. Helen Hudson is a force to be reckoned with. His pattern recognition and ability to turn himself in on the fly as new evidence emerges is frightening to say the least. He reluctantly helps MJ and Ruben at first, but soon becomes as preoccupied with the case as they are. MJ is a cross of Helen in almost every way. He doesn’t have the years of experience needed to draw the same connections now, but he helps by trusting his instincts and taking decisive action when it matters most.
As they work together, MJ, Ruben, and Dr. Hudson realizes that they are dealing with a serial killer whose MO is defined by the absence of one person. Rather than creating his own style, the killer meticulously recreates the murderous tactics and crime scene imagery of the serial killers they serve. By constantly changing his approach, he stays one step ahead of the detectives who are hunting him, all the while dispelling the ever-increasing plans that Dr. Helen Hudson herself is his main target, for reasons that are not immediately clear.
The Perfect Blend of True Crime and Fiction
While Copycat it relies heavily on true crime to build its inner logic, you don’t need to be a true crime to appreciate what you’re doing. References are limited to well-known real-life killers, giving casual viewers enough context to understand the stakes without requiring a detour of post-viewing research.
The procedural details the film relies on are delivered in easy-to-follow individual crime profiles, allowing viewers to sit back and watch the mystery unfold. The film never feels like it’s testing the audience or showing off its homework.
In other words, if you like shows The Mindhunter but you’re less interested in the kind of granular breakdown found in something like this The last podcast on the left, Copycat it balances well. It’s a rock-solid thriller that doesn’t need a crash course in the macabre to fully enjoy, and its slow-burn mystery keeps the tension high from start to finish.
Copycat currently streaming for free on Tubi.
