A Lifetime Channel thriller about a serial killer feels like a somewhat unnatural combination. Lifetime is hardly the first name that comes to mind when thinking about dark serial killer movies, but The Copycat Killer is nevertheless a decent attempt at doing something along those lines. It is safe and simplistic, but at the same time, that is exactly what you expect from this kind of Lifetime movie.
The biggest problem is that the film ultimately does very little with its own concept. There are plenty of opportunities to create an interesting mystery, but The Copycat Killer consistently chooses to take the easiest route.
Not Much Detective Work
It is quite surprising how little actual detective work is done in a movie about a serial killer. You would expect the investigation into the killer to be one of the central elements of the story, but many of the developments feel more like they are simply put on screen because the script needs to move the story forward.
This makes everything feel rather superficial. The film does not do much to make the audience actually piece the mystery together, and the various clues rarely feel like parts of a larger puzzle. Everything is fairly straightforward and therefore very easy to follow.
That is not necessarily a disaster for a Lifetime movie. These films are not exactly known for their complex plots or extremely deep characters. Still, a movie about a copycat serial killer could have done considerably more with its premise.
Far Too Predictable
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of The Copycat Killer is just how predictable the story is. Every now and then, you get the feeling that the movie might actually be building toward a clever twist. Maybe there is something you have missed as a viewer.
But ultimately, most events unfold almost exactly as you expect them to.
And when the film finally does try to surprise you with a genuine twist, it does not always feel particularly convincing. Some of the developments are so far-fetched that you end up wondering why the story had to go in that direction rather than actually being impressed by the twist.
That is a shame, because a good whodunit depends on its ability to keep the audience guessing and lead them down the wrong path.
The Mystery Is Revealed Too Early
Another problem is that the film sometimes gets in its own way. Before The Copycat Killer has a chance to properly develop into an enjoyable whodunit, certain things are already revealed.
As a result, some of the suspense is taken away rather early. There simply is not enough time for the viewer to seriously question who is responsible or which characters might be hiding something.
Originality is also often hard to find. The concept sounds more interesting than the way it is ultimately executed, and many of the developments feel like things we have already seen in similar television thrillers.
Decent Characters
Fortunately, the characters are actually pretty good for a movie like this. They are not particularly complex, and you certainly should not expect deep character studies here, but they are interesting enough to carry the film throughout its runtime.
The relationships between the characters also work reasonably well and help keep you invested in what is happening. The characters are ultimately one of the reasons why The Copycat Killer never becomes particularly unpleasant to watch.
It may not be the biggest compliment, but within the limitations of this type of movie, the characters do exactly enough.
Quite Entertaining
Despite all of these criticisms, The Copycat Killer is actually quite entertaining. The movie has enough momentum to keep you from constantly checking the clock.
That may well be its greatest strength. It lacks originality, genuine suspense and a compelling mystery, but it remains entertaining enough to watch without too much effort.
Ultimately, it is the kind of movie where you do not have an enormous amount to complain about while watching it, but afterwards you also do not feel like you have seen anything particularly memorable.
Looks Better Than the Average TV Movie
Visually, The Copycat Killer also offers a small surprise. The film looks a little better than the average television movie. It still has that unmistakable Lifetime look, but the production is polished enough that it does not immediately feel like a cheap TV production.
That certainly helps, because the obvious television aesthetic can sometimes be distracting in movies like this. Fortunately, that is not much of an issue here.
Not a Bad Lifetime Thriller
Ultimately, The Copycat Killer is mostly a film that does exactly what you would expect from a Lifetime thriller. It is safe, simple and highly predictable, but at the same time, it is easy enough to watch.
It is certainly not a great serial killer mystery. There is simply not enough originality, suspense or, most importantly, a well-developed mystery. The detective work is minimal, and whenever the movie tries to surprise you, the results are not always particularly convincing.
Still, it is not a bad movie either. The characters are decent, the pacing works well enough and the film looks slightly better than the average TV movie.
For regular viewers of Lifetime thrillers, The Copycat Killer should therefore be perfectly watchable. Just do not expect a clever whodunit that will have you trying to figure out the identity of the copycat killer right up until the final minutes.
Rating: 5/10
