Maniac

Name: Maniac
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Crime
Released: June 21, 2013
Duration: 89 min
Rating: 47
Cast: America Olivo, Elijah Wood, Jan Broberg Felt, Megan Duffy, Nora Arnezeder

2013

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 65 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	Your Score
6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 65 Ratings

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Maniac

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Midnight | Release Date: June 21, 2013 | Not Rated

Starring: America Olivo, Elijah Wood, Jan Broberg Felt, Megan Duffy, Nora Arnezeder

Summary: In this remake of Bill Lustig's 1980 horror film, the owner of a Los Angeles mannequin shop develops a dangerous obsession with a young artist.

Director: Franck Khalfoun

Genre(s): Thriller, Horror, Crime

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 89 min

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Critic Reviews

The Playlist Drew Taylor

Mar 13, 2013

It'll get your blood pumping, before it starts spilling down your forehead. Read full review

Ed Gonzalez

Jun 15, 2013

Its audio-visual overload testifies to a group of filmmakers' belief that some films are made to be remade. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Jul 25, 2013

The movie shouldn’t be dismissed outright, either. It’s a creepy experiment that stays with you. Read full review

A.A. Dowd

Jun 19, 2013

If it’s possible to be both impressed and appalled by a movie’s pull-no-punches savagery, Maniac earns that dubious distinction. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Jun 20, 2013

The movie, told from the killer’s point of view, is genuinely unsettling and propelled by a terrific, buzzing synth soundtrack straight out of the early ’80s. But the only suspense is in which woman will be the next victim. Read full review

Nicolas Rapold

Jun 20, 2013

By not centering on the victims, Mr. Khalfoun nearly makes the film about pitying the panic-prone killer; the camerawork lacks the ominous, confident glide of much Steadicam horror. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Jun 20, 2013

This poor man’s Norman Bates, though, doesn’t make us wonder what makes him tick; he makes us want to shut our eyes. Read full review

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User Reviews

McCorpse

Nov 5, 2013

this movie was awesome! it was down right dirty and nasty and brutal. Frodo goes around scalping chicks and becoming more and more insane by the second. The film follows basically the same plot as the original although this time it is from a first person perspective. This works out reallythis movie was awesome! it was down right dirty and nasty and brutal. Frodo goes around scalping chicks and becoming more and more insane by the second. The film follows basically the same plot as the original although this time it is from a first person perspective. This works out really great and just hearing Elijah's voice is creepy as hell and he truly looks like a maniac when you do get a glimpse of his reflection. That is another difference, Elijah. No longer do we have a big disgusting slob as the killer but this time its lil ol Elijah. This change could have been devastating but it really works. And then were the film truly is with the gore. They hold nothing back. Right from the opening sequence I knew I was in for one hell of a ride. Way more than one woman is murdered and scalped and it is done in ruthless fashion. This movie was creepy as hell and Elijah, Aja, and friends show us (once again in Aja's case) is that remakes can be great!… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

SporUS

Sep 11, 2013

This is one of my favorite horror movies I have ever seen (only bested by the original Evil Dead). Wile a remake, it takes on an identity of its own. It is perfect. A true horror movie, no monsters, or demons, or jump scares, it is about a psycho rooted in realism. And oh what a psycho WoodThis is one of my favorite horror movies I have ever seen (only bested by the original Evil Dead). Wile a remake, it takes on an identity of its own. It is perfect. A true horror movie, no monsters, or demons, or jump scares, it is about a psycho rooted in realism. And oh what a psycho Wood makes. I never knew he had this kind of performance in him. The first person cinematography is very original and is somehow pulled off, and the music is one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DisasterpieceMK

Jun 30, 2013

"...interesting from a technical perspective but not nearly as compelling as one would want." Ahh, critics. I am not quite sure what you are looking for in a film told from the first-person perspective of a maniac, but this one does the trick. If you are looking for some sort of magical"...interesting from a technical perspective but not nearly as compelling as one would want." Ahh, critics. I am not quite sure what you are looking for in a film told from the first-person perspective of a maniac, but this one does the trick. If you are looking for some sort of magical insight into the mind of a crazed individual, you will not find here it because, as one would imagine, there is not much to be found. "Mommy issues" are sufficient enough to move the experience forward. It is gory, creepy, and interesting. This will definitely satisfy most horror fans (especially those of the slasher variety).… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilmVirtue

Feb 14, 2014

Maniac is not shy when it comes to violence and sex but does however contain a simple story line made into a complex situation that at times, is difficult to follow.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Thegodfatherson

Jun 25, 2013

Maniac isn't great, when you separate fact from fiction- but for Elijah Wood and heart throbbing action scenes, it is. The story revolves around a be-handed man who is in a psychiatric situation and his murders which are his natural obsession. It's almost like watching BBC documentary trashManiac isn't great, when you separate fact from fiction- but for Elijah Wood and heart throbbing action scenes, it is. The story revolves around a be-handed man who is in a psychiatric situation and his murders which are his natural obsession. It's almost like watching BBC documentary trash but with gallons of blood. Maniac is strong at three points- Dialogue isn't great by Script?, cool car crashing bloody action, and Elijah Wood's groundbreaking performance in his first horror film.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

JLuis_001

Feb 6, 2018

Remake of a film I have not seen yet, Maniac is a horror film that walks through the grounds of the darkest violence to psychological thriller. The film has an intense performance by Elijah Wood as a psychopathic murderer who puts the scalps of their victims in mannequins, some parts may beRemake of a film I have not seen yet, Maniac is a horror film that walks through the grounds of the darkest violence to psychological thriller. The film has an intense performance by Elijah Wood as a psychopathic murderer who puts the scalps of their victims in mannequins, some parts may be disturbing and unpleasant for some, but I believe that fans of the genre will love it.

The film uses a lot the P.O.V. of the main character, Frank Zito (Wood), as we see him hunting innocent women, this way the director force the viewers to share the predatory instinct of Frank and the nature of his unbalance. The film focuses a lot on this and although it works most of the time in some sequences it feels unnecessary.

The film looks professional enough although the modest budget comes to notice, the picture is not as clear as I would have liked but it doesn't looks bad. The music is haunting, that is a good point and the production design deserves an applause becasue the grim museum of mannequins is creepy.

I liked it, it's not a great movie but it's fine enough… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

horcrux2007

Mar 18, 2015

(going to watch again)

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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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