Maniac (1980)

Analysis Film Releasing Corporation | Blue Underground
Theatrical Release Date: December 26, 1980
Director: William Lustig

Review by James Klein

This ranks up there as one of the sleaziest, dirtiest, sickest slasher films ever made. Even make-up effects artist Tom Savini has said it is hard for him to watch it now. Maniac is just hitting blu ray this week for its 30th Anniversary. The film is like a time-capsule in that it shows New York City at it's slimiest. Maniac is the quintessential 42nd Street movie. Released with no rating, the film is hardcore with a capital H.

Joe Spinell plays Frank Zito, a man who grew up with an abusive mother. Because of her, Frank doesn't take too kindly to women. He stalks and slays them, ripping their scalps off to put on his mannequins that he stashes at home. When a beautiful photographer takes his picture one day, he makes it his agenda to get her. But can beauty tame the beast?

For fans of really hardcore gore films, this is the Citizen Kane of slasher films. Not only do we get scalpings but we also get head explosions, stabbings, throat slices, Frank does it all. Joe Spinell is surprisingly good as Frank and actually creates a slasher villain who is interesting and fun to watch. Spinell has defiantly been in better films (The Godfather, Rocky, Taxi Driver) and he looks pretty sweaty and downright gross in this. But it just adds to the realism of the film. Director William Lustig does a decent job in the director's chair and does build some suspense at times, noticeably a young woman on the run in an underground subway system.

But the real reason to see this film is for the gore and it is pretty extreme. I think it makes up for the laughably confusing ending. Gene Siskel said that this is one of the few films he walked out on. If that doesn't make you want to watch it, I don't know will. Maniac would make good viewing in a real run down theater and should only be watched late at night.