Maniac (2013)

Remakes are running rampant in the world of horror these days. Some are ok, but most are just disappointing. For many of us seasoned horror fans it's more than just a movie, It's also a time period, a memory. Most of the movies that I hold dear to my heart take me back to the first time I watched it. I can remember the first time I watched the original Manic, I got home from school and my dad calls me into the living room. He said "Blaine, I recorded a movie I thought you would like." All I could think of was oh great here we go. Dad went to the DVR and selected Maniac, I had never seen it. Low and behold he had it queued up to the scene where Tom Savini gets his head blown off. I fucking lost it, my dad was laughing. I told him…you know me all too well. Regardless I think most horror fans don't like remakes because not only do they seem rushed, but they don't hold the same appeal and nostalgia. Still, there are some that can break the mold. 

Written by Alexandre Aja, Gregory Levasseur, & C.A. Rosenberg, Maniac is for, all intents and purposes, a prefect remake. The film is about a mentally disturbed individual named Frank (Elijah Wood) who spends his time repairing antique mannequins and hunting down beautiful women. Frank has mommy issues, and, as a result, kills and scalps his female victims. Frank meets a woman named Anna (Nora Arnezeder) who shares his love for antique mannequins, but Franks unstable and libel to do anything.

As I said earlier, this is a damn near perfect remake. To start off, lets hit the acting. Elijah Wood and Nora Arnezeder take the cake in this film. Their on-screen chemistry is some of the best I have seen. Elijah has already proven he's an uber-talented actor and he reaffirms that in Maniac. Nora is absolutely stunning and her time is well received. She is charming and has a quirkiness that his easy to take in. The rest of the cast has minor roles, however are all acted well.

My favorite part of this film is the perspective. The film is almost entirely shot in first person. The viewer is thrown deep into Franks deteriorating psyche. This adds additional depth to the character of Frank, as well as the films story. Directed by Franck Khalfoun, the camera reacts to everything that Frank does and as a result effectively placed the audience smack dab in the middle of everything. You feel like you are a part of the events, however graphic they are. The story really adds to this effect as it is well crafted and written.

Second is the amount and quality of the violence. There is a substantial amount of red stuff that flows through the film. The viewer is treated to stabbings, slashings, tearings, suffocation, hogties, cleaving, and more. Gore hounds will not be disappointed. The film is also chalk full of female nudity. The male audience will be delighted of the outcome. Nothing for the female fans, unless your into other chicks, which is totally fine.

Look, Maniac is a stellar movie. It hits with such force you will be mentally drained after watching it. I cannot possibly gush anymore about this film without giving away more than I already have. GLP gives this twisted film 5 out of 5 stabs for being fucking awesome. The film is getting a limited theatrical release on June 21st and should follow onto the on demand and home video market shortly after. Keep your eyes peeled for this flick, every horror fan should see it. For more information on the film go check out the films Facebook page.View the REDBAND trailer below.

GLP Rating: