Copycat Review

     It's very hard to review a film retroactively and verbalise an opinion formed over multiple viewings across 20 years. I was a teenager the first time I saw Copycat and it so captured my attention that I seriously considered writing my Psychology paper on criminal psychology during my last year of high-school, before realising that finding sources would be a tricky proposition for a 17 year-old.

    Through 2020 eyes (there's a joke to be made there), the film holds its own and proves why I so liked it from the start. The story is gripping, the tension mounting beautifully, and the characters are both fleshed out and believable. The writing has a big part in all of the above, giving us heroes and villains that are complex and multi-faceted. The movie doesn't shy away from giving us main characters that aren't always likeable and who make mistakes, making them truly human to the audience.

    I am a fan of both Holly Hunter and Sigourney Weaver but, rather than 'fess up to any bias when saying their performances here are great, I would argue that this film is a huge part of why I hold them both in high regard. They are badasses! And still feminine. And highly competent, even when struggling with very human difficulties. The range of emotions that both actresses show, the contradictions their characters often feel, play a huge role in taking us along for the ride.

    Watching this now, I am almost surprised at how fresh the film feels in its portrayal of female characters. This was 1995, when stereotypes were still in full force and strong women onscreen often had to sacrifice their femininity in order to be taken seriously. But not here. Nothing of import would be significantly different in story or characters if one or both had been men and it is a joy to behold. I can't help but think what awesome role-models of sorts for me to have had in my teens.

    As a thriller, even knowing the story back to front and expecting every scare and twist, I was still on the edge of my seat and if that's not the mark of a classic, I don't know what is. Even the unforeseeable, heart-breaking moment (no spoilers here but if you've watched it, you know which one I mean) still packs as much of a punch now as it did in the first viewing; an extraordinarily bold choice of a sucker-punch from the creators that is all the more effective from coming from a seemingly unimportant side-plot.

    All in all, this continues to be a favourite of mine and one I recommend.


Conclusion: Solid [what's this?]


Copycat came out in 1995.

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