Maniac (2012)

As he helps a young artist with her upcoming exhibition, the owner of a mannequin shop's deadly, suppressed desires come to the surface.

Director:

Franck Khalfoun

Writers:

Alexandre Aja (screenplay), Grégory Levasseur (screenplay)

Stars:

Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, America Olivo

4 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nora Arnezeder	...	Anna
Brian Ames	...	80's Man 1
America Olivo	...	Frank's Mother
Genevieve Alexandra	...	Jessica
Liane Balaban	...	Judy
Jan Broberg	...	Rita
Aaron Colom	...	Alley Man
Joshua Delagarza	...	Martin Nunez (as Joshua De La Garza)
Alex Diaz	...	Puppeteer #2
Megan Duffy	...	Lucie
Eli Dupont	...	Young Frank
Luis Fernandez-Gil	...	Waiter
Dan Hunter	...	Nick
Devra Korwin	...	Saleswoman
Akbar Kurtha	...	Pharmacist

Storyline

Just when the streets seemed safe, a serial killer with a fetish for scalps is back and on the hunt. Frank is the withdrawn owner of a mannequin store, but his life changes when young artist Anna appears asking for his help with her new exhibition. As their friendship develops and Frank's obsession escalates, it becomes clear that she has unleashed a long-repressed compulsion to stalk and kill.

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Plot Keywords:

photographer | oral sex | mirror above bed | fellatio | tied up while barefoot | 

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Taglines:

I warned you not to go out tonight

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 January 2013 (France)

Also Known As:

Alexandre Ajas Maniac

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,571, 23 June 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$20,551, 7 July 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

La Petite Reine, Studio 37, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby Digital (Surround Sound)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie features the song "Good-bye Horses," by Q. Lazzarus. The song was also featured in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), another movie about a serial killer who skinned people and had issues with his mother.

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Goofs

Frank's reflection on a passing subway vaguely reveals the cameraman and camera assistant.

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Quotes

Lucie: You are totally not what imagined.
Frank: Really? What did you imagine?
Lucie: Uh... fat, with long black hair and greasy skin full of acne.
Frank: You should see the other picture I was about to send.

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Connections

References Les yeux sans visage (1960)

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Soundtracks

Headache City
by Robin Coudert (as Rob)
(p) 2012 La Petite Reine © 2012 Reine Multimedia Publishing / Because Editions
Maniac © 2012 La Petite Reine / Studio 37

User Reviews

Well done but stomach-churning

This is a very gory and bloody film and unless you don't mind watching these types of films you won't like it.

I've not seen the original so I can't compare the two. Elijah Wood is an actor I like and he is excellent in this as the serial killing maniac. I found it hard to get into the film but this is one film that gradually improves as it goes along rather than fades away.

Along with the bloody horror there are a number of really tense scenes. It is the most unsettling film I've seen in a while. Maniac is well filmed and uses some very interesting filming techniques. I can't say I enjoyed watching it too much was a bit too sadistic for my taste. However for it's type this is a very good effort.