Saagar Kote
As the storyline of the Jon Amiel directorial ‘Copycat’ reaches its conclusion, Dr. Helen Hudson is faced with a real threat from the copycat killer and the demons of her mind as he comes close to acting against her. Detective Mary Jane Monahan races against the clock to avert a tragedy at the university. The killer shows determination and ruthlessness to finish what he started by leaving a woman dead in a bathtub. He intends to complete the final piece of the puzzle in his grand and violent tribute to known serial killers of the past that he idolizes. The criminal psychologist and the detective must use more than their wits if they wish to survive the ordeal and claw their way to safety and freedom. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Copycat Plot Synopsis
Dr. Helen Hudson is a sought-after criminal psychologist specializing in the profiling of serial killers. After delivering an engaging lecture on her area of expertise at a university, she survives an attempted strangulation by a psychotic man named Daryll Lee Cullum. The perpetrator wished to torture her slowly before killing her. Thirteen months after the incident, she lives a secluded life in San Francisco. Troubled by an extreme case of PTSD and agoraphobia associated with the incident, she finds it impossible to step out of her apartment. As the psychologist settles into her new reality, with only her friend Andy to assist her, things take a turn for the worse when a woman is found murdered in a bathtub and a killer becomes active in the city.
Homicide detective Mary Jane Monahan seeks Dr. Hudson’s help apprehending the perpetrator. Monahan, along with her police partner Ruben Goetz, works with Helen to figure out any clues that could point them toward the criminal before he strikes again. Media speculation around the killings adds to the frenzy in the city, leading to a sense of desperation in the police department to solve the issue swiftly. The criminal profiler, through her observation of the facts, concludes that it is a case of serial killings. As she continues to work with the police officers, it becomes clear that someone is stalking the psychologist despite her not stepping out of her apartment.
Helen’s personal space is invaded without her knowledge, and her anxiety gets worse, given this breach in her safety. Following further evidence after more killings, the psychologist notices that the murderer is trying to copy the patterns of other known serial killers in his murders and, in a demented sense, pays tribute to them. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game between the killer and the team pursuing him, leading to more blood, brutality, and panic in the city. As the team makes significant inroads into figuring out the criminal’s identity, it is revealed that Helen herself is his primary target. She must now overcome great odds to make it out of this situation alive.
Copycat Ending Explained: Who Was Really Trying to Kill Helen? Why?
The copycat killer, Peter Foley, relentlessly pursues Dr. Helen Hudson throughout the storyline. His efforts culminate in him trapping her in the same university bathroom where she survived at the beginning. The film’s climax leads to a startling revelation with disastrous consequences. In a terrifying scene set within the confines of a prison cell, it is made known that Daryll Lee Cullum was the mastermind behind all the patterned killings in San Francisco by Peter Foley, and he intended to finish his masterpiece by finally getting his disciple and follower, Peter, to kill the criminal psychologist.
At the beginning of the film, Daryll Lee Cullum is seen to be a very violent man with an extreme affinity for killing, who not only murders people but also relishes it. In a scene in the middle of the storyline, Daryll sends Helen a copy of his book ‘My Life With A Knife,’ in which he has been writing about his murderous escapades inside a prison cell. Contacted by Helen and Monahan through a video call, who intend to learn more about the copycat killer, Daryll reveals that he knows the guilty individual but only agrees to speak about it if the psychologist ends him a pair of her undergarments. At this point, a subtle clue is given to the viewers that Daryll might know more than he is letting on. His unhinged presence shows that he is in control of the situation.
Daryll, in his copy of the book, writes a very suggestive note to Helen, exhibiting his sexual obsession with her. He cannot let go of his toxic obsession; the only way he thinks he can put an end to this is by seeing her sexually assaulted and killed. Though not made explicit, it can be inferred that he brainwashed Peter to do his bidding and also suggested he follow a pattern of killings, copying the methods of famous serial killers in the exact order that the psychologist had mentioned in her speech at the university. Daryll’s twisted plan ultimately fails, but it doesn’t bother him as his obsession with the criminal psychologist continues, becoming even more toxic.
What is the Meaning of Cullum’s Message?
In the chilling ending scene, Daryll Lee Cullum writes a message to another disciple, an unknown man named Conrad. Following Peter Foley’s failure to finish the final murder, Cullum takes steps to ensure that his objective remains alive. He has essentially become a cult leader while sitting in his prison cell. He intends to inspire more men to become serial killers and find meaning in their lives. The idea of male loneliness and the lack of direction in the lives of young men has been brilliantly captured in the film’s narrative.
From his letter to Conrad, it can be inferred that Daryll thinks of himself as a religious figure within his pantheon of followers. He wants to recognize and honor those he deems worthy. With disturbing religious overtones, he seeks to establish a new order of zealous men who are willing to kill to gain what they deserve in life. As long as his disciples do not fail him, they can receive good gifts, which, in this case, are a pair of undergarments belonging to Helen. It’s a trophy for his followers to cherish and acknowledge his leadership.
Daryll, in a specific part of the letter, says, “Peter strayed from the path and the Lord smote him good. So keep it simple. Then glory is yours… and ‘vengeance is mine’, as the Good Book says. I know you’ll get my meaning. Happy hunting, partner.” It is clear that Daryll is disappointed that Peter did not achieve the final goal, but he credits the Lord for this and believes that the Lord is keeping Hudson alive for a reason. His final goal is to attain salvation through vengeance against Helen, and he will not stop until it is achieved.
How Does Dr. Hudson Cure Her Agoraphobia?
At the film’s end, Helen Hudson is once again trapped in the university bathroom. Peter Foley ties her up and intends to finish what Daryll started. Thanks to Monahan’s intervention and a clever diversion, she rushes out of the bathroom and runs for her life. We can assume that this is a point where her agoraphobia has reached an extreme level. Peter chases her to the rooftop of the university. She faces her worst fears again, just like she did at the beginning of the storyline. This time, she is ready to face her death, even asking Peter to do it. She is finally ready to release her fear and accept her reality. However, she is saved in the nick of time by Monahan, who had survived Peter’s gunshots due to her bulletproof jacket.
What happens here is an inadvertent case of exposure therapy that is used by psychologists to cure phobias in patients. Due to her experiencing the worst possible scenario in the bathroom and on the rooftop, Helen has been exposed to the extremes of her agoraphobia. Being a psychologist herself, we can assume that she would benefit from this as she survives, despite the odds being against her. Timely intervention from Monahan also proves to her that she is not alone in her fight. Owing to a combination of exposure to fear and survival with help from a friend, it is logical to assume that she gets over her agoraphobia and starts living a better life. Monahan will possibly be promoted to a higher position within her police department and continue to fight crime in San Francisco.
Read More: Is Copycat Based on a True Story?
