Maniac
A tormented New York serial killer turns grief for his abusive mother into a grisly ritual of murder, scalping, and mannequin worship.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- bleak
- disturbing
- sardonic
- late night horror marathon
- cult horror night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as repellent and despairing, with its graphic violence overwhelming its direction and Joe Spinell's committed performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Frank stalks women through grimy New York locations, while the film emphasizes despair and exploitation-cinema ugliness.
Frank's grief for his abusive mother motivates his murders and the display of scalps on mannequins.
The film is especially known for Tom Savini's extremely graphic splatter effects, including scalping and shotgun violence.
Frank mutters to himself, talks to mannequins, growls while stalking victims, and alternates between menace and apparent charm.
Films like Maniac, and why
The Driller Killer
graphic slasher violence, urban sleaze, and a psychologically disturbed killer
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
serial killer subject, grimy exploitation atmosphere, and graphic practical gore
The Toolbox Murders
urban slasher structure, sadistic killings, and abrasive grindhouse tone
The New York Ripper
stylized urban brutality, exploitation energy, and bleak criminal underworld atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- William Lustig
- Release Date
- 1980-11-14
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (513)
Cast
- Joe Spinell
- Caroline Munro
- Abigail Clayton
- Denise Spagnuolo
- Billy Spagnuolo
- Kelly Piper
- Sharon Mitchell
- Rita Montone
- Hyla Marrow
- Tom Savini
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Shudder Apple TV channel, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Maniac about?
- A tormented New York serial killer turns grief for his abusive mother into a grisly ritual of murder, scalping, and mannequin worship.
- What is Maniac like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Maniac as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Maniac violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Maniac as graphic.
- What did critics think of Maniac?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as repellent and despairing, with its graphic violence overwhelming its direction and Joe Spinell's committed performance.
- Which films are like Maniac?
- Films with a similar feel include The Driller Killer, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, The Toolbox Murders, and The New York Ripper.
- How long is Maniac?
- Maniac runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Maniac?
- In United States, Maniac streams on Philo, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Shudder Apple TV channel, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
