Copycat Killer (2023)

Phenomenal script and case conceptualization

I'm deeply impressed by the psychological components of this thriller (I'm in the therapy/psychology field!). I think the writers were thorough in their research and the portrayal of complex psychological issues. From the long-lasting effects of PTSD for Hsiao Chi, to the CPTSD + psychosis (with hallucinations) + substance use disorders for Jia Wen, to the interwoven ASPD and NPD for He Ping -- I could keep going -- all of them were portrayed with a believable level of accuracy, nuance, and complexity. I felt like, throughout the show, there was significant character exploration; personal values, personality, and developmental experiences were all explored in a really meaningful way. And!! There was character development even in people who I thought wouldn't change too much like Ya Cih. I'm not sure if she reflected on the killings and thought about what her absence meant for her child's development and that's why she decided to be home more and take a different job, but that was a truly exciting part to see.

Of all the characters, though, Mr. Ma was the character for me. Often times religious or spiritual identities are portrayed in an extreme and negative way, but his spiritual/religious identity was what made him vital to the plot, as well as wise and empathetic. From the beginning, he stood by his belief that his granddaughter was a good person despite the persecution he faced. He accepted his granddaughter exactly as she was, saying he didn't care about her religion. He spoke about acceptance for how things are/were, and finding a pathway forward. He made reference to Lao Tzu who authored the Tao Te Ching, and he talks about the belief that we are like water. Not only do we have the strength of water, but we have the flexibility of water to move over the stubborn rocks and obstacles, moving through and around it to continue on the path toward a life worth living. And, boss move of it all, he called He Ping out on his shit to his face without any hesitation. Though he was considered a "support character," I think he played a pivotal role, and without him, I don't think the characters would have developed and transformed as they did.

I do think that some of the characters weren't as human as they could have been. For instance, we rarely if ever got to see them outside of their career, not even for simple things like eating out together, playing games, watching movies - simple things that could bond them in a healthy way (bc let's not lie, most of them were trauma bonded lol). Such a minor issue, but nevertheless, something I considered. I'm also a bit disappointed Yun Hui died. I get that her death forced Hsiao Chi to act violently - which served meeting the killer's expectation / taunt - but I feel like he had already lost so much...I would have been grateful for the writers to give him at least one thing.

The unfolding of the plot was very nicely paced. I was worried that, with Jia Wen being revealed halfway through, they would really drag out the remaining episodes in a way that wouldn't be noteworthy. But, they added the components of multiple accomplices (which I predicted), moving through misleading evidence, and through He Ping's evasion of the authorities. For people suffering from such delusional grandeur and narcissism, I think he was unnaturally lucky he didn't slip up more often or in more obvious ways, and yet, it was believable enough to move the plot along. I liked that all the characters were involved in making the plot move and that there were powerful female characters in the show too. The women were not all victims - they demonstrated gentle strength, intellectual prowess, cleverness, and resilience. I was glad that they weren't tossed to the wayside and depicted as entirely helpless.

There were a couple of things that were bothersome, but not enough to change my rating. The level of gruesomeness, especially the inclusion of a lot of the victim's crying and screaming during flashes of their pictures before/after their deaths, felt intolerable at times. I either had to stop watching or skip through because the audio-visuals were so overwhelmingly horrific (despite knowing, obviously, that it was fake and no one was actually harmed). I also couldn't understand how Hsiao Chi ended up being a public defender after getting out of jail. Are there no stipulations against it in Taiwan? Idk! Feels unrealistic though.

TLDR; this is a worthwhile watch, and i may rewatch it in the future :) the psychological elements, the character development, and the pacing with nice twists made it entirely worth binge-watching.

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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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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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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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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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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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Everyone is broken just trying to find their way in life. Now the question do we forgive them for their actions as it is their individual excuse.
The story answers this question for us as traumatic experiences shape us, who we are now for better or worse. I'm glad it never gave a predictable route to who wad the killer who was wrecking havoc on society.
The media showed us just how easy it is for us to be influenced easily as the truth got distorted many times.

This hopefully gives a message of how dangerous society can be and which sources of media can be trusted

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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
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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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