Copycat Killer
Copycat Killer
Now Showing

Copycat Killer

7.9
Yr 2023
Rt 54m
Status Ended
Your Verdict

Rate this show to unlock picks like it. Create a free account.

Series Brief

Overview

When a spate of grisly murders throws a city into chaos, a tenacious prosecutor must brace for a cat-and-mouse game against a dangerous manipulator.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 84 /100

Copycat Killer was met with positive critical reception, praised as a layered and high-quality serial killer thriller. Adapted from a popular novel by a Japanese author, the Taiwanese series earned acclaim for its compelling story beats, strong production values, and impactful performances.

Reviewers particularly commended the show's focus on individual character arcs alongside the overarching murder mystery. Rather than relying solely on procedural tropes, the narrative explores the personal traumas and motivations of its cast—ranging from a prosecutor haunted by childhood memories to journalists fighting to clear a friend's name.

While some critics pointed out that the series can feel a bit longwinded at times and leans into familiar crime fiction formulas, the consensus is that it remains a deeply engaging whodunit that delivers a satisfying, dark mystery.

“a brilliant thriller series containing all the right story beats that make the tale of a serial killer interesting”

“a high quality and engaging whodunit”

“A layered series about violence and the long arm of the law”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix
US • CA • UK
Netflix Standard with Ads
US • CA • UK
Why fans love it

This 2023 crime drama brings a dark, suspenseful tension to the mystery genre. Based on a novel, the series follows an investigation triggered when a series of brutal murders throws a city into total chaos. Rather than relying only on standard procedural beats, the plot centers on the psychological manipulation driving the crimes and the relentless pursuit to stop them.

Wu Kang-ren leads the cast as a tenacious prosecutor caught in an escalating game of cat and mouse with a dangerous manipulator. The show earns its appeal through a tight focus on psychological warfare and a grim, immersive atmosphere. Viewers who enjoy intricate murder investigations where mind games take center stage will find plenty of suspense in every turn.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 61
Regulars 16
Longest run 8 eps
Show 53 more
Ruby Lin as Ya-Cih Yao 8 episodes Tong Chih-wei as Ci-Yang Liao 6 episodes Sheng Chien as You-Wei Syu 2 episodes Liu Liang-tso as Yong-Kun Liang 6 episodes River Huang as Cun-Yi Tian 6 episodes Lucia as Yu-Ping Jiang 6 episodes Ally Chiu as Yu-Tong Lin 8 episodes Feng-Chang Chiu as Prosecutor 2 episodes Wang Dao-nan as Prosecutor General 4 episodes Lee Yi-chieh as Yi-Jyun Cin 6 episodes Chen Bo-zheng as Yi-Nan Ma 6 episodes Yu An-shun as Kun-Jhu Lai 6 episodes Wu Ming-hao as Prosecutor 2 episodes Shi-Hao Wang as Yao-Tsung Liu 1 episode Kira Tsao as Zih-Cing Yuan 6 episodes True Wang as Jia-Yi Jheng 4 episodes Michael Lin as Hong-Liang Chen 2 episodes Liu Chang-han as Chief 2 episodes Duan Chun-hao as Wun-Kai Yang 7 episodes Yu-shao Lee as Policeman 7 episodes Carol Cheng Chia-yu as Pei-Fen Jhao 2 episodes Fan Rui-hsiu as Jia-Wun in Junior High School 1 episode Mu Mei as Ming-Mei Jhang 2 episodes Yang Ming as Ming-Mei's Mother 1 episode Hsu Yu-chieh as Jia-Tang Jian 3 episodes Kurt Hsiao as Murderer 1 episode Tseng Hua-hsuan as Shao-Yuan Yao 2 episodes Xia Ho as Dog Walker Girl 1 episode Chen Ching as Betel Nut Beauty 1 episode Eva Chou as Cun-Yi's Neighbour 1 episode Yun-Sing Hung as Shu-Cin Ma 3 episodes Hao-Jan Ma as Jia-Yi's Colleague 1 episode Chu Chia-wei as Jia-Yi's Colleague 1 episode Fang-Yun Liu as Jia-Yi's Classmate 2 episodes Hsuan Hsiao as Yi-Jyun's Friend 1 episode Shine Huang as Hsiao-Chi in Senior High School 5 episodes Hsia Chia-lin as Jia-Yi's Classmate 1 episode Apple Wu as Hsiao-Lin Li 2 episodes Sin-Ting Huang as Yu-Tong in Childhood 1 episode Zih-Shen Chen as Jian-Ho in Junior High School 1 episode Eric Tai as Lawyer 2 episodes Yi-Yen Chou as Yao-Tsung's Classmate 1 episode Ruan Bo-hao as He-Ping in childhood 1 episode Wang En-yong as Chi-Chung Chuang 1 episode Man-Fei Chen as Zih-Cing's Family 1 episode Jaw Cheng Hung as Zih-Cing's Family 1 episode Chou Ming-yu as Yu-Siou Fong 2 episodes Ko En as Former Prosecutor General 1 episode Robin Lee as Presiding Judge 1 episode Lee Yu as TNB Staff 6 episodes Tsai Min-han as Nightclub Operator 1 episode Angel Ho as Fang-Hsin Liu 1 episode Sam Chung as Mr. Chien 1 episode
Production Board

Crew

Visual Effects Supervisor
Head of Story
Production Designer
Costume Designer
Music Director
Action Director
Original Story
Supervising Sound Editor
First Assistant Director
Casting Director
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Copycat Killer overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

based on novel or book investigation murder serial killer dark psychological suspense psychological manipulation suspenseful
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
March 31, 2023
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
54 minutes
Origin
TW
TMDB Votes
108