Mary Kelly, portrayed by Melissa Roxburgh, finds herself embroiled in a chilling investigation involving a serial killer notorious for mimicking the methods of his victims. The perplexing case begins with Detective Jake Doyle, played by Martin Lawrence, who is equally baffled upon discovering the body of a woman bound to a cross in a church, her angelic appearance accentuated by wings. The priest claims to have never seen her before, raising more questions than answers.
As the investigation develops, a string of murders emerges in the city, all sharing a horrific similarity that designates the criminal as a 'copycat killer.' This unsettling pattern leads Mary and Jake to suspect a previously incarcerated serial killer known as 'The Artist,' or Arnaud Lefevre, skillfully brought to life by John Malkovich. Arnaud, infamous for abducting and slaying six sex workers in a grotesque manner - poisoning, preserving, and arranging their bodies into lifelike poses he deemed 'masterpieces' - shares a haunting history with Jake, who once played a significant role in bringing him to justice.
Concerned for Mary's safety, Jake remains apprehensive when she expresses a desire to confront Arnaud in prison. Armed with her background in psychology, Mary attempts to manipulate Arnaud's ego to extract valuable insights about the case, but he proves a tough nut to crack. As their investigation deepens, more bodies turn up, each echoing Arnaud's signature style, and he questions Mary about the first victim’s clipped wings, leading her to a childhood memory: a particular type of nail polish no longer in production that she used long ago.
Through their tenacious pursuit, the duo will uncover random clues associated with the victims, including an enigmatic compass arrow stuck in one of the bodies. Jake wrestles with his own traumatic past linked to Arnaud, remembering how the death of his partner Zeke — who took her own life following contact with Arnaud — left deep emotional scars. Meanwhile, heavy tensions arise between Mary and Arnaud as they clash over faith and science, with him provoking her doubts about her beliefs.
The narrative crescendos when a homeless intruder breaks into Mary’s home, and in subsequent events, another victim is discovered bearing Zeke's compass. The compass leads to an obscure art book, "The Inferno Landscape," which becomes pivotal to unraveling the madness woven by the copycat.
As Mary recalls references to the archangel Samael made by Arnaud, she becomes increasingly submerged in the investigation. During her journey, she unearths Arnaud’s volatile relationship with his mother, a sex worker he deemed immoral, which ultimately leads to her tragic demise at his hands. In a twisted revelation, Arnaud offers to divulge the copycat killer's identity in exchange for Mary to endure a harrowing session sculpting her own insecurities.
The tension escalates when Mary uncovers a horrifying truth: Jake is, in fact, being manipulated by Arnaud, who possesses him as a means of seeking retribution for past grievances. A shocking confrontation reveals Jake's identity crisis stemming from Zeke's death and his belief that he has transformed into 'The Artist.'
In a climactic battle of wits, Mary ultimately triumphs over Arnaud. She tricks him by poisoning his pencils, leading to his demise and reclaiming control of her narrative. This dark and twisted tale not only addresses themes of possession and psychological trauma but also showcases how deeply intertwined the lives of those touched by madness can be.
