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Maniac
2012 89 min France, United States of America 18+
★5.8
Horror, Thriller
Director: Franck Khalfoun
🎭 Based on
«Maniac»
Trailers
Description
As he helps a young artist with her upcoming exhibition, the owner of a mannequin shop's deadly, suppressed desires come to the surface.
Budget:
$6M
US Gross:
$31,081
Worldwide:
$2.63M
Starring
Elijah Wood
Actor
Nora Arnezeder
Actor
America Olivo
Actor
Awards
4 wins & 5 nominations total
Key opinion
Maniac (2012) is a polarizing remake that prioritizes a unique, first-person visual style and a heavy, atmospheric tone over traditional slasher tropes. While many appreciate Elijah Wood's haunting portrayal of the troubled protagonist, the film is often criticized for its weak screenplay and lack of genuine narrative suspense.
| Acting | Elijah Wood’s performance as the tormented killer is widely praised for subverting his typical innocent image, though some viewers find his limited screen time disappointing. | |
| Direction | The innovative first-person perspective effectively immerses the audience in the protagonist's fractured psyche, serving as a standout artistic choice. | |
| Score | The score is frequently cited as a highlight, successfully establishing an unsettling and atmospheric mood throughout the film. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography is visually striking and technically accomplished, particularly in how it integrates the killer's reflections into the environment. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is criticized for its logical gaps, unrealistic setting, and a lack of depth that fails to match the intensity of the 1980 original. |