A criminal psychologist who turned agoraphobic after a murder attempt agrees to help two San Francisco detectives hunt for a copycat serial killer who intends on making her his next victim.A criminal psychologist who turned agoraphobic after a murder attempt agrees to help two San Francisco detectives hunt for a copycat serial killer who intends on making her his next victim.A criminal psychologist who turned agoraphobic after a murder attempt agrees to help two San Francisco detectives hunt for a copycat serial killer who intends on making her his next victim.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination
- Cop #1
- (as Scott De Venney)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaYears later, Sigourney Weaver would state that she was most proud of her work in this film. She worked hard to portray the mindset of an agoraphobic, and has regretted that the movie was lost in a shuffle of thrillers at the time and is not better remembered.
- Goofs(at around 1h 30 mins) When the copycat killer does the "Dahmer" crime, he dumps the decapitated body into the river. Jeffrey Dahmer would've never done this, as he kept all the bodies in his apartment for further sexual gratification, then he dismembered them and submerged them in acid, sometimes he ate parts, also he boiled the heads and kept the skulls for a sculpture he was planning to do. He killed for companion, to have a submissive partner by his side, he killed men he felt attracted to and he would've never gotten rid of a body.
- Quotes
Helen Hudson: Fuck you.
Peter Foley: What?
Helen Hudson: You heard me, you little twerp. Do you think I'm afraid of you?
Peter Foley: I know you are.
Helen Hudson: I know all about you. You're just a sad, second rate, boring, impotent little copycat.
[laughter]
Peter Foley: Watch it, bitch, or I will slice that smile off your face, do you hear me?
Helen Hudson: Daryll Lee couldn't get it up either.
Peter Foley: DO YOU HEAR ME?
[Helen spits in Peter's face]
Peter Foley: Okay, I see, Helen. Nice try. You wanna know a little secret? Huh? I'm on to your trick. I won't kill you fast no matter how much you're gonna want me to.
- Alternate versionsItalian video version tones down most of the violence; most notably, Darryl Lee Cullum is not shown slitting the policeman's throat in the prologue.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: Get Shorty/Now and Then/Mallrats (1995)
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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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $20,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $32,051,917
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,170,522
- Oct 29, 1995
- Gross worldwide
- $32,051,917
- Runtime2 hours 3 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1