The well-known plot device in Columbo movies is that we watch Columbo discover what we already know.

Yesterday I found this aged Bronson picture on Prime. For whatever reason I find the early movies with minimal special effects and human acting enjoyable.

And, there we have the same situation...a murder occurs, we know who did it, we know why it was committed, and once Bronson shows up, as the protagonist, we wonder how he will figure it out.

So, with Prescription: Murder starring Columbo in 1968, we can wonder if Sebastian Japrisot was exposed to this plot device. According to Wikipedia, he was "known for subverting the rules of the crime genre." So, being half a world away, I doubt he ever watched Columbo.

But, this award-winning film is worth your time. It goes well with a recliner, a lazy Sunday afternoon, and a Trump Winery 2018 Meritage.

Also according to Wikipedia, Columbo did popularize, but didn't invent, the "howcatchem" or "reverse whodunit", the first example being in 1912. So "inspired by" would be a better phrasing than "copy", which implies plagiarism.