1980's MANIAC is a low budget serial killer
flick directed by William Lustig. Joe Spinell stars as the titular maniac,
living a miserable and lonely existence in a filthy New York studio, going out
only to stalk and murder his prey. His abusive mother has died, and Spinell's on a
mission to replace her. In his disturbed mind, this involves scalping women and
decorating mannequins in his apartment with their remains.
Tom Savini of DAWN OF THE DEAD fame is on hand
for the gore effects, and they're really over the top, gross and well done,
specifically in a scene in which Savini himself plays a murder victim whose
head is blown off with a shotgun.
The indie production makes use of lots of real
early 80s New York locations, both indoors and out. As a result, the movie
drips with filth, even when there's no gore on screen.
Aside from the effects and locations, the
movie's greatest asset is its star, Joe Spinell, who brings real pathos to his
character. You don't feel bad for the serial killer, that's for sure, but you
definitely feel his insanity. He talks to himself, comforts himself, berates
himself, breathes heavy, tries to talk himself out of killing, asks himself why
he gave in to his urges. In this way he seems more human than many other
cinematic slashers, which actually makes him more frightening.
Even though this film could have just been a
slice of serial killer life, the final moments deliver an insane finale that's
ambitious and unique.
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