Copycat Killer (2023)

A very slow burning crime psychological drama

Copycat Killer told a story of a serial killer who murdered several women. Enter Guo Xiaoqi, a hardworking and meticulous prosecutor who aimed to solve the case. The acting was not bad. The music was a bit depressing to me. If you think this is a whodunnit mystery tv show, then you're wrong because one of the prepetrator was already shown as early as in ep 4. I dropped this one after ep 8, because it was so slow, bleak & boring i almost fell to sleep.
I'll give this a 7 /10.

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It's all about defying expectations and taking viewers on an unexpected journey.

Copycat Killer is a gem that not only keeps you on the edge of your seat but also throws in a dash of nostalgia and a hearty serving of genuine human emotion.

The cast of Copycat Killer deserves a standing ovation. Their performances breathe life into the characters, making you forget they're just on screen. Wu Kang-ren, in particular, shines as the determined prosecutor, delivering a performance that reaches through the screen and grabs your attention.

Transporting us to 1990s Taiwan, the series is a visual feast with its meticulous attention to detail. Outdated technology adds a nostalgic touch, while the cinematography plays with angles that amplify both suspense and beauty in every scene.

The storyline, with its Japanese drama flair, unfolds like a complex puzzle. However, it's not without its quirks. The killer's identity is revealed a bit too early, taking away some suspense. And relying on self-confessions feels like a missed opportunity for mind-bending plot twists.

Yet, Copycat Killer keeps you hooked by diving into the personal lives of its characters. Their struggles, not just with the case but with their own demons, add layers of realism. The well-written interactions make the characters relatable, turning this crime drama into an emotionally resonant experience.

In conclusion, Copycat Killer is more than your average whodunit. With commendable acting, a nostalgic setting, and a storyline that balances suspense with character depth, it stands out in the crowded thriller landscape. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even when faced with darkness. Despite its flaws, the series leaves a lasting impression, urging viewers to unmask not just the shadows within the plot but the shadows within themselves.

For those craving a crime drama with heart and depth, Copycat Killer is a journey worth taking. It's not perfect, but it's fun, humanized, and refuses to release its grip until the very end. So, buckle up for a thrilling dance through time and mystery!

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Gritty and consuming

A very dark, sometimes shocking and visceral drama. TRIGGER WARNINGS definitely needed, as torture, abuse and rape (that bit isn't graphic, but obvious) are included.
A prosecutor with a tragic past, up against an intelligent, sadistic serial killer who carries all the text book trade marks of a psychopath.
The story had a strong start, but as the episodes unfolded, some aspects became overdone and too much; from the often inept police, that seemed almost comical in their approach, to the obvious connection that several characters and places obviously had to the perpetrator, being woefully overlooked, even when visited.
Several characters were too quickly 'marked' and other avenues that should have continued to be investigated, weren't. It was all a bit haphazard at times, especially given the severity of the case.
However, this was the 90s ~ the era being well portrayed I thought (even if I don't come from Taiwan, I recognised the vibe), when perceptions were different (and sadly still exist in too many cultures).
The acting of the MCs carried the story, however, and so it still made for a compelling watch.
The lengths the prosecutor ended up going to, to get his man, were life changing and cathartic; the transformation of that character was very cleverly done.
There was some overacting at times, but overall, many characters were excellently played. The actors that stood out for me, head and shoulders, were Chen Bo Zheng as a victim's grandfather (I so like this older actor ~ he always plays his characters in an understated way and is good to watch even if the drama isn't!); the actor who played Chris Wu's character's Uncle, so convincingly; and Chris Wu himself in the leading role.
The plot did leave a lot to be desired at times, but it was still a very watchable drama.

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The Misconception of "Copycat Killer"

The audience/people watching aren't just the spectators, but the players and directors too.

First off I want to start this by saying I am not finished with the show yet, but it's already exceeded my expectations a lot. When I started this show I thought it was going to be one of those typical "whodunnit" type shows, where as the audience we see/know only a little bit more than what the characters in the show do. I quickly learned this was wrong.

In this show, as the audience we are not on the same level as the characters, both the police, the killer and otherwise. We are at an omnipresent viewpoint. We find out things the police and killers do not know yet. Such as, [redacted] being revealed in one of the earlier episodes. The common misconception I see about this show is people thinking it's supposed to be a whodunnit where the killer isn't revealed until near the end in some spectacular way after the case is solved by the officals. This show is not quite a whodunnit, because we are not searching for the killer as the police are, this is shown multiple times for example when one of the police officers is speaking on the television to his daughter and then we see her being shown him talking to her or in the first episode when we first see the red van (something that continues to be present for multiple episodes)

Episode 4 was a purposeful reveal because it's showing both sides of the story. While we don't get all the information at once, we do get more than Xiao-qi and the others for a reason. Other reveals like Jia-wun's childhood bedroom is there to simply help us put together the details of WHY not WHO but WHY.

This is a great take on a usually expected trope. Whodunnit turns into Whydunnit (lol)
Unlike in other shows or movies in which the audience is on the same par as the police, the use of dramatic irony is present. The secret only the audience knows as of right now. Jian-ho not being the one who assaulted the girl in junior high, Jia-wun's character placement, Yu-tong and her friend being kidnapped together (something that's hinted towards when Xiao-qi says that You-tong's kidnapping is different and they've missed something). Once you realize this, the show changes from a badly made whodunnit to a fantastic thriller.

This is a puzzle that needs solving, but rather a broken mirror that needs to be put back together. We have all the pieces, and each episode is just another bit of glue to help us put it together.

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The Books are always Better however this is GOOD!

A must watch for crime/ mystery/thriller folk.
Story: a 90’s exploration of the power of media/social science as a psychopath deeply woven into media mainstream committing grotesque crimes on humans deemed beneath his subsurface moral code with assistance from other deviant devoid of moral values.
Acting: brilliant & poignant
Music: appropriate & well done. Paces the drama perfectly.
RW: yes, need some time before I jump back in.
Overall: watch knowing we are far worse now in ‘23. The psychopath are among us all many in positions to lead society, governments and your kids! Chilling drama.

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Very addictive story but most importantly the acting is as it's best

***There are no spoilers ***
*French to follow after this English Review*

This is my first ever review on here after watching 48 dramas, 6 TV shows and 43 movies that are made somewhere in Asia (mainly Japan and South Korea) so please bare with me.

It's been about a couple of weeks that I watched this show and I still think about Chris Wu acting. What an incredible actor! I will definitely take the time to watch him in other shows or movies but I am in my grind of crime and dark stories.

I like to do the detective as well and try to determine who would be the killer and I got it all wrong haha then it made me realized how amazing this is going to be as the story goes. I would say the first episode or two are a slow burner (which is great as you get to really dig main character's background story) but you get definitely hooked after 2-3 episodes which from there you might be incapable to stop yourself to watch.

I can't recommend this show enough, it really feels underrated as it's buried in between at the K-Dramas on Netflix, but I swear this would surprised me if you come back to me with negative feedback. This is one of the best thriller/crime/dark show I've seen in the last couple of years.

10/10 without hesitation <3
Enjoy! Please feel free to recommend this post if you agree with me or think of watching soon.
Let me know your thoughts
:D
--
Allô !!!
Voici ma toute première critique ici après avoir regardé 48 drames, 6 émissions de télévision et 43 films d'Asie (principalement du Japon et de la Corée du Sud), alors s'il vous plaît, soyez patients~

Cela fait environ quelques semaines que j'ai regardé cette émission et je pense toujours à la performance de Chris Wu. Quel acteur incroyable ! Je vais certainement prendre le temps de le voir dans d'autres émissions/ films, mais je suis plongé dans les histoires de crime et sombres en ce moment.

J'aime aussi jouer au détective et essayer de déterminer qui sera le tueur, et j'avais tout faux haha ! Ça m'a fait réaliser à quel point cette série va être incroyable à mesure que l'histoire avance. Je dirais que les deux premiers épisodes sont un peu lents (ce qui est super car vous avez vraiment l'occasion de creuser l'histoire du personnage principal), mais vous allez définitivement être accro après 2-3 épisodes, et à partir de là, vous allez avoir du mal à vous arrêter de regarder.

J’arrêterai pas de recommander cette émission, elle semble vraiment sous-estimée car elle est noyée entre les K-Dramas sur Netflix, mais je vous assure que vous aller me surprendre si vous revenez vers moi avec des commentaires négatifs. C'est l'une des meilleures séries de thriller/crime/sombre que j'ai vues au cours des dernières années.

10/10 sans hésitation
Bon visionnement :D

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Basé sur le roman de Miyabe Miyuki, Copycat Killer est un drama qui joue avec les nerfs malgré ses derniers épisodes qui rallongent l'intrigue inutilement. Pourtant, ses personnages et son ambiance sont la clé de sa réussite.

Si chacun des personnages possède un rôle, deux se détachent clairement à mes yeux.
Tout d'abord, Chris Wu en tant que procureur. On suit un homme intègre qui n'aspire qu'à une chose : arrêter ce tueur fou qui terrifie la population. Chris Wu est un très bon acteur, il ne fait que le confirmer avec Copycat Killer et sa performance douloureuse et forte d'émotion.
L'autre tête d'affiche est bien évidemment Fandy Fan en tant que Shen Jia Wen. Malgré un méchant plutôt caricatural, Fandy Fan nous plonge lentement dans sa folie sauvage qui n'est pas sans rappeler l'ambiance du premier Saw de James Wan. Contrairement à Unlocked avec Im Si Wan où la folie était un trait permettant de facilité l'intrigue et le personnage, ici, Fandy Fan donne un caractère plus poignant et en cohérence avec le personnage. Je ne connaissais l'acteur que par HIStory2 et bon sang, j'ai hâte de voir plus de ses projets.

Comme tout drama impliquant la justice, le spectateur aussi ressent le besoin de l'obtenir et nous l'avons avec des révélations et des actions. Le format est un chouïa trop long de quelques épisodes, ce qui fait traîner inutilement l'intrigue et malgré tout, l'image est superbe et son ambiance offre une réelle (re)plongée dans les années 90. J'ai particulièrement aimé le jeu de caméra sur certaines scènes, transmettant des émotions plus brutes, tout comme les scènes horrifiques qui ne deviennent jamais gratuitement répugnantes, au contraire.
On note aussi la façon dont les médias peuvent être manipulés et délivrer des messages biaisés aux heures de grande écoute, notamment lorsque cela concerne des victimes qui n'ont plus la parole. C'était fascinant et terrifiant, mais une triste représentation de notre société actuelle. L'info avant tout, on vérifiera plus tard si c'était une intox.

Quoiqu'il en soit, Copycat Killer respecte les codes du thriller et arrive avec son ambiance et ses personnages a offrir un bon moment malgré sa narration traînante.

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