Copycatis part of the latter, released in the same year, and only one month afterSevencame out.
What Is Copycat About?
The killer has an obsession with her and being confined to her apartment becomes a trap.
Image via Zanda Rice
From the get-go,Copycatmakes Helen and the viewer feel danger is never too far away.
The colors on-screen reflect this.
Her red outfit keeps her in full view among the bathroom’s white floors and white walls.
An agoraphobic psychologist and a female detective must work together to take down a serial killer who copies serial killers from the past.
This 1978 flop could really use a chest-bursting scene.
Helen is alone in her apartment late one night when shes emailed a video from the killer.
Hes edited footage from his last victim which fades into the woman he will target next.
Her face turns into a skull with a scream edited in.
The camera slowly zooms onto the horror growing across Weavers face.
It’s one of thecreepiest momentswhere no harm is directly happening to her.
Her panic is understandable, and viewers might even feel a crawling sensation on their own skin.
If she tries to step out of her apartment door, her agoraphobia swells up within her.
She can barely look down the hall, because within seconds her vision is affected.
On the other hand, while those emotions pour out, Hunter portrays Monahan with a steely personality.
Monahan never lets her guard down, with curt responses to her fellow officers and Hudson.
They both have inserted a form of isolation into their lives to gain some control.
ButCopycatisnt only focused on the murders, it takes a look into the daily activity of the police force.
In the role, Dermot Mulroney is warmer and patient in dealing with Helen.
The focus on Monahans workplace eventually leads to a shocking death that shouldnt be spoiled for first-time viewers.
By not restricting the plot to the main killing spree, it helps the film feel bigger.
Even when the film goes into Helen’s world, she isn’t entirely secluded.
He’s attracted to Helen to a perverse amount.
Image via Warner Bros.
The queerness is given a better handle with Helens friend and assistant Andy (John Rothman).
It’s not a mistake that hes a gay man.
A scene like this treats Andy like he naturally belongs in this world.
Image via Warner Bros.
It’s a small effort, but decent enough.
Ultimately, his character is attacked and killed by the copycat killer, who recreates a murder byJeffrey Dahmer.
As problematic as the scene could have been, theres sadness and horror to the ambush.
Image via Warner Bros.
Copycat Doesnt Take Itself Too Seriously
ThoughCopycatgoes to dark places, but it’s not bleak.
Then there is the score byChristopher Young,which is practically a character in itself.
It’s mostly tragic, expressing the toll for Hudson and Monahan in being surrounded by death.
But it can be intense.
She must stay alive when Peter forces her to reenact the opening bathroom attack.
After everything she’s been through, she never gives up.
Copycatis currently available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
WATCH ON HULU
