Copycat is a 1995 American psychological thriller film directed by Jon Amiel and starring Sigourney Weaver as a criminal psychologist who suffers from agoraphobia after being attacked by a serial killer. She teams up with a detective (Holly Hunter) to catch another killer who is copying the methods of famous serial killers. The film is a gripping and suspenseful exploration of the mind of a serial killer and the people who try to catch him, with a stellar cast and a clever plot twist.

If you are a fan of Copycat and the psychological thriller genre, you might be interested in watching some other films that are similar to it in terms of genre, theme, or plot. Here are five films that are like Copycat that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Kiss the Girls (1997)

Kiss the Girls is a 1997 American psychological thriller film directed by Gary Fleder and starring Morgan Freeman as a forensic psychologist who is searching for his niece, who has been kidnapped by a serial killer who calls himself "Casanova. He teams up with a medical student (Ashley Judd) who escaped from the killer's lair, and together they try to find him before he strikes again. The film is based on the novel of the same name by James Patterson, and is the first in a series featuring Freeman's character, Alex Cross. The film was a commercial and critical success, and was praised for its suspenseful atmosphere, compelling performances, and twisty plot.

Similarities to Copycat

• Both films feature a serial killer who has a specific modus operandi and targets women.
• Both films feature a psychologist who helps the police with their investigation and has a personal connection to the case.
• Both films feature a female protagonist who survives an encounter with the killer and joins forces with the psychologist.

Differences from Copycat

• Kiss the Girls is more of an action-oriented thriller, while Copycat is more of a psychological thriller.
• Kiss the Girls has a more conventional plot structure, while Copycat has a more complex and surprising plot twist.
• Kiss the Girls focuses more on the hunt for the killer, while Copycat focuses more on the mind games between the killer and his victims.

Notable scenes or quotes

• The scene where Alex Cross interrogates Casanova's accomplice, Dr. Rudolph (Cary Elwes), and reveals his identity.
• The scene where Kate McTiernan (Ashley Judd) escapes from Casanova's underground dungeon and runs through the woods.
• The quote by Alex Cross: "He collects women. He doesn't kill them. Not right away. He seduces them. He makes them love him."

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 American psychological thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Jodie Foster as a young FBI trainee who seeks the help of a brilliant but imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer (Anthony Hopkins) to catch another serial killer who skins his victims. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris, and is the second in a series featuring Hopkins' character, Hannibal Lecter. The film was a critical and commercial phenomenon, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is widely regarded as one of the best films of all time, and one of the most influential films in the thriller genre.

Similarities to Copycat

• Both films feature a serial killer who has a unique and gruesome way of killing his victims.
• Both films feature a female protagonist who is an outsider in her field and has to prove herself to her male colleagues.
• Both films feature a psychologist who is an expert on serial killers and has a complex relationship with one of them.

Differences from Copycat

• The Silence of the Lambs is more of a horror film, while Copycat is more of a mystery film.
• The Silence of the Lambs has a more realistic and gritty tone, while Copycat has a more stylized and glossy tone.
• The Silence of the Lambs focuses more on the psychological manipulation between Lecter and Starling, while Copycat focuses more on the analytical deduction of the killer's identity.

Notable scenes or quotes

• The scene where Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) meets Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) for the first time in his cell.
• The scene where Lecter escapes from his temporary prison in a spectacular and bloody fashion.
• The quote by Lecter: "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Se7en (1995)

Se7en is a 1995 American neo-noir crime thriller film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as two detectives who track down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives. The film is known for its dark and bleak atmosphere, its shocking and disturbing imagery, and its infamous ending. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of Fincher's best films and one of the most influential films in the thriller genre.

Similarities to Copycat

• Both films feature a serial killer who is inspired by a specific theme or concept and stages elaborate and symbolic crimes.
• Both films feature a detective duo who have contrasting personalities and methods.
• Both films feature a psychologist who provides insight into the killer's mind and behavior.

Differences from Copycat

• Se7en is more of a crime film, while Copycat is more of a mystery film.
• Se7en has a more nihilistic and pessimistic view of human nature, while Copycat has a more hopeful and optimistic view.
• Se7en has a more original and unpredictable plot, while Copycat has a more familiar and formulaic plot.

Notable scenes or quotes

• The scene where Mills (Brad Pitt) and Somerset (Morgan Freeman) discover the first victim of the killer, who represents gluttony.
• The scene where the killer (Kevin Spacey) surrenders himself to the police and reveals his plan.
• The quote by Somerset: "Ernest Hemingway once wrote, 'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.' I agree with the second part."

The Bone Collector (1999)

The Bone Collector is a 1999 American crime thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Denzel Washington as a quadriplegic ex-homicide detective who uses his expertise and intuition to help a rookie cop (Angelina Jolie) solve a series of murders committed by a serial killer who leaves clues at the scene of his crimes. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Jeffery Deaver, and is the first in a series featuring Washington's character, Lincoln Rhyme. The film was a moderate success at the box office, but received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances of Washington and Jolie, but criticized the plot and direction.

Similarities to Copycat

• Both films feature a serial killer who challenges the police with puzzles and riddles.
• Both films feature a detective who is physically disabled or impaired and relies on technology to communicate and investigate.
• Both films feature a female protagonist who is inexperienced but talented and eager to learn from the detective.

Differences from Copycat

• The Bone Collector is more of an action-adventure film, while Copycat is more of a psychological thriller.
• The Bone Collector has a more conventional and straightforward plot, while Copycat has a more complex and surprising plot.
• The Bone Collector focuses more on the teamwork between Rhyme and Donaghy, while Copycat focuses more on the individual struggles of Hudson and Monahan.

Notable scenes or quotes

• The scene where Rhyme (Denzel Washington) instructs Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) to collect evidence from the first crime scene under a train.
• The scene where Rhyme realizes that he knows the killer from his past.
• The quote by Rhyme: "You know what scares me? When you get used to your condition. When you get used to being alone."

Zodiac (2007)

Zodiac is a 2007 American mystery thriller film directed by David Fincher and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards, and Brian Cox as various people involved in the investigation of the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1960s and 1970s. The film is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Robert Graysmith, who was a cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle and became obsessed with finding the identity of the Zodiac Killer. The film was a critical and commercial success, and was praised for its meticulous attention to detail, its atmospheric cinematography, and its ensemble cast.

Similarities to Copycat

• Both films feature a serial killer who taunts the police and the media with letters and cryptograms.
• Both films feature a journalist who is fascinated by the case and tries to solve it on his own.
• Both films feature a psychologist who helps the police with their investigation and has a personal stake in the case.

Differences from Copycat

• Zodiac is more of a historical film, while Copycat is more of a contemporary film.
• Zodiac has a more realistic and documentary-like style, while Copycat has a more fictional and cinematic style.
• Zodiac has a more ambiguous and open-ended conclusion, while Copycat has a more definitive and satisfying resolution.

Notable scenes or quotes

• The scene where Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) visits the home of Bob Vaughn (Charles Fleischer), who may be connected to the Zodiac Killer, and feels threatened by him.
• The scene where Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) receives a Halloween card from the Zodiac Killer with his name on it.
• The quote by Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo): "Just because you can't prove it doesn't mean it's not true."

Conclusion

Copycat is a classic psychological thriller that explores the mind of a serial killer and the people who try to catch him. If you enjoyed this film, you might also like some other films that are similar to it in terms of genre, theme, or plot. Whether you prefer action, horror, crime, or mystery, there is a film for you on this list. So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready for some thrilling entertainment.