Look Through the Eyes of a Maniac: A Movie Review

full disclosure: *a DVD screener of this film was provided by IFC Films.

Director: Franck Khalfoun.

Writers: Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur and Joe Spinell.

Cast: Nora Arnezeder, Genevieve Alexandra and Elijah Wood.

Maniac is a remake of William Lustig's 1980 film, of the same name. In both features, a killer stalks several young women in a large urban environment. This time actor Elijah Wood plays Frank, the killer. Long gone are Wood's days as Frodo. Instead of a heroic character, Wood gives one of his best performances as a violent sadist. As well, Maniac follows a few tried and true tropes from the slasher film, which may or may not sit well with audiences. The most compelling aspect of this feature is director Franck Khalfoun's (P2) shooting style. Khalfoun places the viewer in the shoes of a murderer, if they like it or not, for the next eighty-nine minutes. Maniac is well shot, written and performed and many horror fans will like what writer Alexandre Aja (High Tension) has most recently conjured up.

For those who have not heard of the original, like this reviewer, the film deals with a hunter of people. Frank's prey are the many women of Los Angeles. He stalks and kills those that remind him of his mother, a mother who was a slave to her carnal desires. Frank was exposed to several mature experiences as a child and shame (a strong hunch) compels him to relive certain moments from his past, in a brutal fashion. The crux of the film involves Frank's relationship with Anna (Nora Arnezeder). Anna is a woman who brings Frank out of his loneliness and who acts as a friend and confidant. Can frank curb his compulsion to kill, long enough to form a genuine connection with another human being? This might be a gargantuan task for a man haunted by horrifying auditory and visual hallucinations.

Elijah Wood as Frank, a serial killer hobbyist

There is no doubt the Maniac is a slasher film. Some of the tropes of this sub-genre, including: a mask, a large knife, lots of dead women and lots of nighttime stalkings are housed here. Though, Frank is not masked in the usual way. Instead of the usual ski mask or similar, Khalfoun keeps the killer's face hidden because of the film angles, which often involve shooting through Frank's perspective. The film also steps away from the typical slasher film, by showing the villain's background. This villain, who is also the protagonist, has a reason behind his killing as seen in many flashbacks. Many slasher films forgo developing the black hat; that is not the case here.

One of the stand out film elements within the film are the performances. There are no cheesy lines delivered here. Instead, Wood delivers an excellent performance, a man tormented by his past. Wood delivers a quietness in his performance as well, which helps show that serial killers can act nice, while hiding a darker self. Wood is also able to show some of Frank's torment through his indecision and ambivalence, during and after murder. America Olivo is also well cast. Olivo's scenes are few, but she is able to bring a disturbing performance as Frank's mother. She is both mother and harlot all in one performance. Other minor actors, including Megan Duffy are equally intriguing. These performances drew this viewer into the story wholeheartedly.

However, those who see this film will most likely be drawn in by Khalfoun's directing techniques. Khalfoun shoots the film almost exclusively through the point-of-view of the killer, Frank. You will see much of the film through Frank's eyes, which is an exercise in feeling like a serial killer; you are forefront in the action. Though, Khalfoun does use a standard shooting style periodically, in which the camera is more third person and steady. This shooting style was enjoyable and slightly unique? to this watcher. The credit sequence was also a little captivating as the director drew from films of the '80s, with lots of city shots from a long distance. The directing techniques were imaginative and entertaining.

Maniac has recently released on home video formats as of October 15th, 2013 and the film is recommended for fans of horror, especially slasher film fans. This is a high quality product, which is often visually and narratively compelling. Frank's torment and idiosyncrasies are the viewer's for a compelling and satisfying hour and a half. This critic is looking forward to what French directors Franck Khalfoun, Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur (The Hills Have Eyes) create next.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10 (an excellent shooting style, compelling protagonist/antagonist, lots of grisly murders).

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Posted in: 2013,america olivo,cast,crew,elijah wood,film,movie,movie review,review,story,synopsis