(Credits: Warner Bros.)

Streaming platforms may rely on algorithms to ensure success in the digital era. But it’s the work of a genius that truly draws the audience. Before the rise of on-demand entertainment in Hollywood, tracking down showbiz trends was not as easy. However, certain visionaries did it. That too, with great virtue and artistic precision. Despite the changing landscape of the entertainment capital, a few titles have seamlessly stood the test of time. And one of them is Sigourney Weaver’s Copycat, currently climbing the Netflix charts.

Directed by Jon Amiel, Copycat is a 1995 psychological thriller starring Weaver that made a formidable mark in the video rental market following its release. The movie is rising on the global top ten English movies Netflix US chart, ranked at number ten in the week dated June 16th to June 22nd. Although Copycat is a bottom ranker in the top ten movies, given that it has already found a spot on the list, it shouldn’t be long before it topples the titles above.

The fact that the 1995 movie has snuck in quietly but is clamouring quite noisily on Netflix says a lot about Copycat’s cultural impact even three decades on. The film follows an unlikely collaboration between brilliant criminal psychologist Dr Helen Hudson and seasoned homicide detective, MJ Monahan, who embark on a cat-and-mouse chase in an attempt to track down a serial killer. However, Copycat is about no ordinary killer.

When a row of murders in San Francisco causes panic all around, Monahan seeks Helen’s assistance. Although initially unwilling, Helen soon finds interest in the perpetrator’s web of copycat crimes. She figures out that the string of murders and their murderer draws inspiration from killers with a reputation, including Albert DeSalvo, The Hillside Strangler, David Berkowitz, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Ted Bundy. Netflix viewers may be familiar with the last two names, thanks to Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019) and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022).

Moving on, Copycat was actually quite a commercial success with overall positive reviews. But why is it a Netflix favourite after all this time? Well, Copycat was released in 1995, which means 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of its release. While that could be a reason for a nostalgic rerun, new audience discovery must have played a crucial role in ensuring success on streaming. The film was also praised because of its star power and stunning delivery.

Copycat was the 11th most-rented film in the US in 1996. The impact remains the same today. However, the ease of availability on Netflix has amassed more viewers, old and new. Moreover, Copycat’s exploration of trauma and psychological tension remains relevant to date. If anything, the focus on the psyche of perpetrators has become elemental in navigating the criminal landscape, making the film a timeless retreat.

Not to forget, the phenomenon of serial killer idolization still persists. The romanticisation and glorification often build intrigue within fans, which in turn leads to desensitisation. However, Copycat is a thematic paradox that sheds light on the copycat crimes and on how inspiration works in these psychological spectrums. It represents the consequences of distorted perceptions.

Copycat brings a slice of reality so eye-opening, even a streaming tide cannot fade out its influence. In fact, the digital exposure prompts contemporary introspection. Copycat is a top ten movie across 46 countries at the moment. Thus, its upswing on Netflix isn’t a fluke; just like the hype back in the day never was.