Copycat Killer (2023– ) User Reviews

Good, too long

[outlaw-07458 · 7/10 · 11 April 2023]

The show was good overall and worth a watch. However there were a few issues that held the show back from getting to the next level. I feel like the last 4 episodes were kind of unnecessary. They could of stopped the series halfway and I would of still enjoyed it. The villain's logic was flawed and the way the killer was brought to justice was lazy writing. The show seemed to drag a bit from time to time within episodes too.

There was a lot of positives though. Without giving too much away, I liked some of the motives to the villains. It seemed as a way to help redeem them in some way. Some of the twists were creative with a good storyline.

Above Average Thriller Series with a Japanese Drama Feel

[Kamimiao · 7/10 · 1 April 2023]

Copycat killer is a heartwrenching thriller series that leaves the viewers on the edge of their seats. I was surprised to see the low rating for this series. In my opinion, copycat killer is an above-average series in the Taiwanese drama genre.

The acting in Copycat Killer was commendable, and the cast did justice to their roles. The storyline was also intriguing and had a very Japanese drama feel to it. The cinematography angles used in the show were impressive, and the shots were captured beautifully.

One downside to the series is that it is not very suspenseful as it is not hard to figure out who the killer is. The reasoning part of the series was almost entirely dependent on the killer's self-confession. I would have loved to see more plot twists and turns that would keep me guessing until the very end.

However, despite this flaw, the series still manages to keep the viewers engaged throughout the entire show. The interactions between the characters were well-written and brought a sense of realism to the show. It was interesting to see how the characters dealt with the ongoing case and the personal issues they faced.

In conclusion, Copycat Killer is an above-average thriller series that is worth watching. Although it has its flaws, it is still an engaging show that will leave you satisfied. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good thriller with a Japanese drama feel to it.

A more exciting plot in the second half

[qinggggg · 6/10 · 15 May 2023]

Was introduced to this show when looking to fill the post-show blues after watching Light the Night.

The storytelling was a little confusing in the first few episodes when characters were introduced one after another and the plot of each episode seem to be quite siloed. The timeframe of the show was also confusing as there was little to done to suggest it was the 90s. (Some parts of modern Taiwan does resemble the 90s.) This was complicated by the non-linear timeline at the beginning which shuffles between different years.

However, the plot took a turn in the second half when the storylines start to weave together to form an engaging plot. Relationship between the media, the judiciary and the serial killer becomes clearer.

Overall, the pace and level of detail was just right. It is well-balanced between dialogues and action. All the characters were pretty well-developed for a short 10-episode drama, except the lead himself. A stronger link between his personal story and his career as a prosecutor could have added more dimension to his character.

I can't help but compare it with Taiwan's top Netflix series from a year ago which happens to be of the same genre - Light the Night. In my two cent, Copycat Killer pales in comparison as the plot was much simpler with less suspense build-up. Pacing was probably the only aspect it had triumph over Light the Night. Nevertheless, one thing I noticed and appreciate about Taiwanese mystery thriller is the way it contextualise to their local culture and societal issues. Looking forward to Taiwanese films and series making a comeback!

A 'Miyuki Miyabe' novel set to the tone and the style of 'Memories Of A Murder'.

[t-d-t-m82 · 9/10 · 2 April 2023]

Superbly shot. Excellent attention-to-detail on old equipment; CRTs and analogue equipment of the late 1990's. Superb acting. So reminiscent of 'Memories Of A Murder' and a lot of voyeuristic viewing.

The build-up play is full-on Hitchcock suspense. It's extremely sleek and professional with a good budget but also it's done to a very high standard.

There's probably a bit of troll-rating happening as it's 6.8 but it only dropped to Netflix very recently so there's clearly bogus reviews. Anything Asian+Murder+Gore gets trolls it seems.

The sequencing of each episode and how the story is set is excellent. It's proper storyboard-to-series. I love how artifacts from the era are in pristine condition despite now being 25 years old!

Actos are great. I feel at ease with them and Cammy Chiang is a future star. Wu Kang-ren is astounding. The way he acts like a cop more than a prosecutor is refreshing. There's a bit of Triad crackdown involvement which is true to history after a Google search found a 1997 article in the Indiependent about that.

The style is very like the artistic leadership of 'Memories For Murder' (Director of Parasite) which the creators deserve huge credit for. It's glossy and well-produced and a real nugget in SEA TV criteria where there's an incredible amount of choice. Great stuff! More please.

Compelling Gritty Thriller

[johnspringer-95440 · 7/10 · 5 April 2023]

It's a dark, violent and gritty thriller nominally focused on the hunt for a sadistic serial killer. Although based on a Japanese novel and set in Taiwan, the dour tone and deliberate pace are reminiscent of Scandi-Noir. Genre cliches abound and the show doesn't shy away from depicting brutality. It's also guilty of the same thing as virtually every other streaming series in padding the run time with extraneous subplots and overcooked melodrama. That said, this show is nevertheless well-done and engaging, with good performances, slick production, and enough twists and turns to keep things interesting.

An impressive serial killer drama from Taiwan

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 21 April 2023]

A killer is targeting women in Taiwan in a way that ensures maximum media coverage in the 1990s. This includes making calls to a specific news station. The crime shares distinct similarities to a previous apparently solved murder. The prosecutor in charge becomes convinced that the cases are linked. As the series progresses we follow the prosecutor, and his police colleagues, as well as characters at the TV station. Tensions raise when somebody close to a member of the investigating team is snatched on a night out.

I thought this was a really good addition to the crowded serial killer genre. The identity of the killer becomes obvious a little earlier than I expected but that wasn't a problem as watching the authorities working to catch him was still gripping. We get a nice twist with a few episodes to go; this is neither too obvious nor unbelievable. The cast do a really solid job making the characters feel believable. I enjoyed the nineties setting; modern enough not to seem dated but old enough to avoid certain modern technology that would make solving the case easier. Things do get a little melodramatic towards the end but not enough to spoil my enjoyment. Overall definitely worth watching if you like the genre.

These comments are based on watching the series in Mandarin with English subtitles.

Good beginning and disappointing end

[krystie009 · 6/10 · 24 April 2023]

The beginning of the series was very interesting and captivate. The story covers many aspects of society: misogynist approach and sexism, toxic family relations, journalistic ethic and sensationalism, anxiety and loneliness. The production is amazing and acting was good. The good story was ruined in the end. Too much emotions and illogical decisions of main characters. The story has many flows and lacks consistence. In my opinion the script involves many melodramatic episodes which doesn't contribute to the story. The prosecutor starts behaving illogical. The last 3 episodes damaged the series while the main idea was lost. The last episode shows prosecutor back to legal job when released from prison. For me it was strange because ex-convicts can't have jobs in law enforcement in Europe.

One of those series that you will not forget!

[Guanche48 · 8/10 · 7 April 2023]

What a nice surprise!! I didn't think I would see such a good Chinese series, and I'm saying it because I'm not a big fan of Asian series, maybe it's the language.

For me it's absolutely necessary to always see them in the original version with subtitles. And from the first episode I lef wanting more, the tension, suspense and the theme are so different.

The acting is also very good and the editing is very well done. I didn't realize who the murderer was until a few episodes had passed, and besides, it wasn't entirely clear to me, they got me confused, and that made me appreciate and like the series even more!!

The prosecutor and main role was fantastic in his role, I really liked him, finally someone who cares about the victims and their families and wants to go all the way to catch the murderer. All the characters are quite varied and some of them very interesting and some funny, others very boring, especially the female roles I like less. I hope I'm not going too long, but I had to say it, the series reminded me a little of the Spanish movie Thesis(1996), but only a little, I had to think about it during this series, and it's been many years since I saw it, it's one of those that you can't foget, like this series, strong, full of suspense and very realistic.

What I liked least about the series is that it's too long and the flashback moments are sometimes unnecessarily repetitive. Also the names of all the characters are confusing at times, being in Chinese it is difficult to remember them.

I recommend it without a doubt, it does not disappoint.

Bad writing ruins this promising Taiwanese serial killer show

[randikagunaratne · 5/10 · 14 May 2023]

This show started off very promising until it became clear that the writing was just not upto the level expected of a good serial killer drama show. All the major characters involved in solving the crime/s i.e the Prosecutor and Police Task Force act illogically and irrelevantly throughout the whole show making the viewing rather infuriating.

The directing, production values and cinematography are all top notch however. The acting is generally pretty good except for a couple of actors.

There is a good show hidden underneath but unfortunately the creators were unable to execute it successfully due to subpar writing.

Gripping Crime Series on Netflix. It's like reading a book.

[bingewatchersclub · 8/10 · 2 April 2023]

No Spoilers GRIPPING CRIME SERIES COPYCAT KILLER NETFLIX

PLOT: A serial killer takes advantage on the media interest over his murders, manipulating their victims, police and the media, turning the murders into a spectacle.

I don't always say "drop everything else and watch this" but this is one of those rare gems.

Based on a book by a Japanese author, this Netflix series from Taiwan is 10 episodes long and with eah episode the tension mounts.

Just when you thought you had figured it all out, it completely throws you off and you will have t55o reassess your theories on who or what.

The best part of this series is you will feel like you are reading a book and not watching a commercial adaptation made in a hurry.

The nuanced storytelling and the excellent background music really stand out as you binge through the episodes.

This is one of the best crime series out there at the moment and it's gripping from start to finish. No melodrama no modern day gimmicks in this 90's story.

Khan Review- slow

[zkzuber · 3/10 · 29 October 2023]

I enjoy thriller and saw four episodes than jumped to last , feel this could have a good watch if edited well and not so long. Ten episodes seems tiresome that too its very slow kind of make it boring. Series of ten or more episodes need really hard work to hold the viewers attention to continue but this fails , you want to watch but also want it to end soon which doesnot happens in this case. Dont know but i found it to be boring had it been few episodes less with good writing and fast pace could have made some difference. I have seen very few series where i completely one season in one go because they were worth watching well made to hold your attention. Makers should be careful to make sure either they are confident enough to make such long series or if not to cut it short. Over all not a good experience.

Near perfection

[JohnM63 · 10/10 · 25 April 2023]

I was really surprised by this Taiwanese produstion. The title might suggest a 'been there, seen that', but if you dive in you will soon realize that that idea as far from what is at play in this series.

Actually - as far as I can see - the title must be a bad translation of the original title, as this story has nothing to do with a copycat killer. This story is about a serial killer, but not in the way you would expect. It is in that unexpectedness (starting to be revealed from episode six) where one of the qualities lies.

The scenario is top notch with hardly any superfluous scene, good dialogues, great suspense and a balance between present and flashbacks. Acting is good, plain and without the hysteria regularly found in Asian production. This series could easily measure up with film noir movies. The slowly developing final plot has just the right pace. At episode five you might feel like 'this is it' when the killer is 'caught'. You may think 'what else could her be with five more episodes to go? ' Then from episode six you'll dive even deeper in this horrendous story. This twist in the storyline takes the story to a next level.

Very well done, but probably not for everyone.

The Standard for Crime Drama

[mccaineasly · 9/10 · 10 April 2023]

This Series Left me speechless by the end, with multiple twists and turns shifting the expectations again and again. Chris Wu being the lead is what truly solidified my rating as his character was much different from what I'm used to. In a role where the director would apply more pressure for sympathy, Hsiao-Chi Kuos Traumatic past takes a backseat while still being prevalent. Where other titles would make this character very vulnerable Copycat Killer Lets Hsiao-Chi Kuo be a more stoic and stable character throughout the majority of the series. Every Character is given the opportunity to grow and learn from the experiences in the series that makes you care about them. The killers motives were very unique as well with Jia-Wun Shens Character being particularly heartbreaking. By the end every characters story ended at the perfect time with the right outcome leaving no extra weight for an unneeded cliffhanger.

Very Engaging Gritty Murder Mystery

[john-bachak · 8/10 · 14 April 2023]

I've never watched many Taiwanese tv series or movies, but my first foray with this series has highly impressed me.

Although it's set in the 90s, it is still very relevant regarding the manipulation and sensationalism of news media in our post modern world. The villain is very resourceful in using it for his purposes.

It's quite gritty and reminds me a little bit of the Dark Knight, a villain is who extremely disturbed, perverse, cunning & strategic. He manages to install fear in the public, while inspiring those disenchanted, mentally ill and criminals of society.

It forces the lead police investigating prosecutor to his mental and emotional limit & challenges his sense of justice, morality & adherence to the law as he investigates the gruesome and perverse deaths of various young women linked to a night club called Kink. Of course our dedicated intelligible prosecutor is always a few steps behind, but his persistence to catch the suspect(s) only delights the killer more and to escalate the risk, the danger and the consequences.

I'm very impressed by all the Taiwanese actors who bring great dramatic and emotional weight to their characters and the situations.

I can highly recommend this series as it has many twists and a real emotional core.

Good production ruined by incompetent actors and prolonged ending

[cesarlin · 4/10 · 8 April 2023]

The production value is there, however the last three episodes feels extremely tagged on. Many of the storylines feels illogical. And the uneven acting ability is the weakest part about the show.the female reporter character couldn't act if her life depends on it. The anchor woman was a bit better but still took me out of the show constantly.

There're a few outstanding actors though, the older cop and the young supposed killer in jail. Both of them are really great but they don't really have many scenes. Especially after halfway point.

It's not extremely terrible, but wouldn't be a big deal if you missed it.

Good

[adeleinecastillo · 8/10 · 5 April 2023]

I don't understand why these series don't get more publicity than the ones Hollywood always puts out. I thought it was pretty good for the genre. The last I had seen was "Strangers" and "Signal". The cast acted quite well and it felt totally refreshing to the monotonous actors they always bring to the series.

The atmosphere, details and cinematography are well done. The only thing I didn't like was that from the beginning, the story was very predictable. From the first chapter they already show you the killer and the possible suspects giving you the hint that there is more than one murderer..

Totally overrated, slow and mediocre

[phebychow · 1/10 · 13 September 2023]

Not sure if I watch the same TV as other audiences! I expect more excitement, suspense crime setting but it's nothing but the awkward scene an old man who disguises a dog baking. At the beginning, the prosecutor has been described as a genius one who solves some tough cases. However, I don't see any strategy he uses to deal with all suspects later on. He even said I should have investigated the scar brother in episode 5, OMG! He looks like daydreaming. Then it spends another half hour to question the scar brother. The dialogue is terrible, 'hi relaxed, it's just a causal conversation', and he smilies as an idiot. Plus everyone's speaking pace is so so slow, like the sister being so poky in the tv interview, and the prosecutor again uses his funny smile look while questioning the true killer. The reporter, the sister, the sick mom, all these settings are like family ethical drama! If someone who likes a real brain burned crime drama, highly recommend Chen Feng Shi San Zai, not this one.

I fast forward to last 2 episodes. There's no worst, only worse! The most ridiculous thing is prosecutor has identified who will be the killer but still no tracking or monitoring can be done. Until the next murder happens, he shouts "why do you kill people?" I am just speechless about this dialogue!

COPYCAT KILLER: A Thrilling Crime Drama

[Jinxxa_Wolf · 10/10 · 21 October 2023]

COPYCAT KILLER is an excellent Taiwanese crime drama with only 10 episodes so far. Perhaps a second season is coming? This series was exceptionally made, well-written, and well acted as well, with the exception of having a fairly unmemorable main lead. Usually this is a fatal crime for a good drama, but considering all else was top notch and excellent quality, and considering how much enjoyment (engagement) this caused from me, I can't honestly dock it any points. This was a really great show, albeit quite dark and gruesome. The story itself was thrilling and intriguing, with twists and turns to keep viewers ever guessing.

I mainly enjoyed the entire cast except, as many others have said as well, the main lead. For me he just felt underwhelmingly portrayed and very bland, as well as underdeveloped. There were only a few times which one might see glimpses of deeper working of the character. I understand he was intended to be portrayed as detatched and cold for a reason, since work is his life and he grieves a dark past, as well as the loss of a dear relationship. But ultimately the character felt deeply lacking and hard to connect with, and I wasn't very impressive with his portrayal. The remaining cast were all really great, all giving vivid and memorable performances.

I highly recommend to fans of international mystery and crime drama series, especially if you don't mind brutality, murders, violence, sexual assault, gore, and other dark, triggering subject matters. This drama is about serial killers, and graphically depicts deceased women in various twisted forms of death. Very intense, and yet dark series.

Good series that could've been shorter!

[jedalega · 9/10 · 20 August 2023]

Honestly this series really surprised me, it's the first taiwanese series I've ever watched so I wasn't sure what to expect, and that really helped me enjoy it.

The overall story is the classic cat and mouse between the police and a serial killer that we've watched hundreds of times by now. But what copycat killer does better than the average crime story is the layers of some of its characters, they're not the simple "good guy does good things" and "bad guy is just bad", as the story keeps going on you can feel some sort of empathy with characters you shouldn't, and even dislike some of the "good guys".

Overall it's a good show that could've easily have less episodes, there are episodes where it seems that nothing really happens, but then the last 2 eps are really good.

A secret diamond

[vraxos · 8/10 · 30 December 2023]

This is one of the best Asian series that i've ever seen. What a plot, what a twist that was. I really don't get how this diamond has a 7 for rate, what a pity. If someone likes Asian thrillers and mystery movies/series, will love this one. Strongly recommended. If you are the biggest fan of American movies that one guy beats everyone without a wound and take the girl in the end, then you are not going to like this one. If you liked Old Boy, I saw the devil, montage, no mercy, the terror live, voice of a murderer then i think you will love this one. And the actors played really well, all of them.

Horrible and distrubing plotting and illustration

[qz-04289 · 1/10 · 10 April 2023]

The show is composed of unnessary and way beyond sensibly excessive amount of emotion manipulation; with the director have no better points deliverying a previously (much possible) intense and delibrate crime story but mainly creating enough anger and confusion for the crime itself. The show has just keep rendering the incompetence of the prosecutor, the incapability of handle the situation sensibly and smartly when they have a (reasonable) suspect in mind while let him in loose is simply disappointing to an extend. The idea of not plotting a complete crime but delibrately plotting the police as dumb, emotional, dumb again and incompetent is simply distrubing.

Terrible serial killer tv series, deserves zero star!

[shakonroll · 1/10 · 29 April 2023]

I would have given it zero star if it was possible. I wasted 10 hour on this garbage.

The story is terribly weak, not one but three killers and literally they are killing all the girls in the series. Police work is terrible, even though it seems the prosecutor initially seems to be hotshot but his work and follow is poor in the plot. Serial killers is having all the advantages, such bull.

Acting from most of cast is below par, the prosecutor, police and the killers, all seems to be overacting and blood all over the places.

Not recommended for someone who enjoys detective thrillers, serial tv series, movies. Terribly disappointed.