Maniac

Synopsis

Maniac (1980) is a horror film starring Joe Spinell as Frank Zito, a mentally disturbed man who scalps women to dress up mannequins representing his deceased mother. The film delves into Frank's twisted psyche as he spirals deeper into madness, haunted by his traumatic past. As the body count rises, Frank's psychosis consumes him, leading to a chilling climax that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. With its gritty portrayal of a deranged killer, Maniac is a harrowing exploration of the darkest corners of the human mind.

Cast

• 

  Joe Spinell

  Frank Zito

• 

  Caroline Munro

  Anna D'Antoni

• 

  Abigail Clayton

  Rita

• Nelia Bacmeister

  Carmen Zito

• Denise Spagnuolo

  Denise

• Billy Spagnuolo

  Billy

Reviews

Maniac has polarized critics, with some praising its rawness and unsettling atmosphere, while others criticize its graphic violence and disturbing themes. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a score of 40%, stating that 'Maniac shocks the senses with its brutal portrayal of a killer's descent into madness.' IMDb rates it 6.4/10, highlighting Joe Spinell's haunting performance as Frank Zito. Metacritic provides a rating of 22/100, indicating mixed or average reviews. Variety describes the film as 'a horrifying journey into the mind of a madman,' while The New York Times calls it 'gruesome and unsettling.' Regardless of differing opinions, Maniac remains a cult classic in the horror genre.