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.
- 10/20/2013
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Stars: Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, Liane Balaban, Morganne Slemp, Genevieve Alexandra, America Olivo, Sammi Rotibi, Sal Landi, Dan Hunter, Megan Duffy | Written by Alexander Aja, Gregory Levasseur | Directed by Franck Khalfoun
While aware that there is another Maniac review here on Nerdly, I felt the urge to review it myself after sitting down with the movie for the second time and being filled with the need to unleash words.
The original Maniac hit our screens in 1980 with Joe Spinell sludging up our televisions with his disturbingly dirty portrayal of Frank, the scalp obsessed nut-job with a heart of mould. It was a great horror movie with a fantastic lead performance and top notch gore courtesy of the maestro of visceral explosions, Tom Savini, who also has a small but memorable part in the original film.
Upon hearing the news a couple of years ago that Maniac was going to be...
While aware that there is another Maniac review here on Nerdly, I felt the urge to review it myself after sitting down with the movie for the second time and being filled with the need to unleash words.
The original Maniac hit our screens in 1980 with Joe Spinell sludging up our televisions with his disturbingly dirty portrayal of Frank, the scalp obsessed nut-job with a heart of mould. It was a great horror movie with a fantastic lead performance and top notch gore courtesy of the maestro of visceral explosions, Tom Savini, who also has a small but memorable part in the original film.
Upon hearing the news a couple of years ago that Maniac was going to be...
- 8/31/2013
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
Stars: Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, Liane Balaban, Morganne Slemp, Genevieve Alexandra, America Olivo, Sammi Rotibi, Sal Landi, Dan Hunter, Megan Duffy | Written by Alexander Aja, Gregory Levasseur | Directed by Franck Khalfoun
After helming remakes of The Hills Have Eyes and Piranha, the gang behind the “trapped in a parking lot with a psycho” film P2 reunite for yet another remake of a 70s horror movie, this time the notorious video nasty starring Joe Spinell and directed by William Lustig - Maniac. Only this time it’s Frodo’s turn to go on a homicidal trip!
Yes, everyone’s favourite hobbit Elijah Wood steps into the shoes of Joe Spinell as the deranged Frank, owner of a quasi-abandoned mannequin store and all-round creepy dude who, to the outside world, seems like a typical loner. However Frank has issues, lots of them – migraines, hallucinations, strange Ocd-like compulsions – this is a man who...
After helming remakes of The Hills Have Eyes and Piranha, the gang behind the “trapped in a parking lot with a psycho” film P2 reunite for yet another remake of a 70s horror movie, this time the notorious video nasty starring Joe Spinell and directed by William Lustig - Maniac. Only this time it’s Frodo’s turn to go on a homicidal trip!
Yes, everyone’s favourite hobbit Elijah Wood steps into the shoes of Joe Spinell as the deranged Frank, owner of a quasi-abandoned mannequin store and all-round creepy dude who, to the outside world, seems like a typical loner. However Frank has issues, lots of them – migraines, hallucinations, strange Ocd-like compulsions – this is a man who...
- 6/21/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Franck Khalfoun's 'Maniac' redo has managed to influence plenty of artistic talent that all seem driven to keep on upping the one-sheet stakes and creating a new and exciting visual representation of the new feature. Elijah Wood ('Sin City') stars as stalk and slasher Frank and he appears on the new 'official' poster from IFC shown below with his latest scalp in hand. Nora Arnezeder ('Safe House'), America Olivo ('Bitch Slap', 'No One Lives'), Genevieve Alexandra and Liane Balaban all join Elijah for some killer action. Check out the new one-sheet below....
- 6/6/2013
- Horror Asylum
Franck Khalfoun's 'Maniac' remake will be making its appearance finally in the Us with a limited theatrical release and a simultaneous VOD release on 21 June. UK residents will be able to pick up a copy on DVD and Blu-ray from 1 July. In the meantime two more alternative one-sheets have been uncovered from the project. These are just two of an absolute gallery of posters that have been popping up all over the place recently but two that have caught our eye for various reasons. The first featuring an extremely lifelike mannequin naked and bloody and a second featuring a Pov shot of star Elijah Wood following his latest killing. Nora Arnezeder ('Safe House'), America Olivo ('Bitch Slap', 'No One Lives'), Genevieve Alexandra and Liane Balaban also star. Head below to check out the posters....
- 6/4/2013
- Horror Asylum
See the fifth poster for Elijah Wood starrer Maniac, directed by Franck Khalfoun. Written by Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur, C.A. Rosenberg and Joe Spinell (original script), the film opens May 26th via IFC Films and also includes Nora Arnezeder, Liane Balaban, Dan Hunter, Joshua De La Garza, America Olivo, Ron Reznik, Genevieve Alexandra, Megan Duffy and Steffinnie Phrommany. Just when the streets seemed safe, a serial killer with a fetish for scalps is back and on the hunt.
- 5/22/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
UK cinema goers will be able to enjoy the full force of Franck Khalfoun's highly praised 'Maniac' remake next week when it opens in theatres across the country. And now IFC have finally unveiled its Us release plans. The flick, which sees Elijah Wood go scalping unsuspecting victims, will open as a limited theatrical release across the Us on 21 June. It'll also simultaneously land on VOD the same day. Khalfoun directs from a script penned by Alexandre Aja ('Piranha 3D') and Gregory Levasseur. Nora Arnezeder ('Safe House'), America Olivo ('Bitch Slap', 'No One Lives'), Genevieve Alexandra and Liane Balaban also star. Look out for our recent interview with director Khalfoun which will be posted up later today....
- 3/8/2013
- Horror Asylum
And Elijah Wood ('Sin City') used to be such a nice guy! Wood's bad guy turn is ever present in the latest new clip from Franck Khalfoun's ('P2') remake of classic 80's slasher feature 'Maniac'. Wood plays Frank Zito the twisted store owner who gets his kicks from preying on innocent sexy young women one of whom is Lucie, played by Megan Duffy (below), who unfortunately gets more than a good time when she tries for a night of passion with our unsettling little Frank. Nora Arnezeder ('Safe House'), America Olivo ('Bitch Slap', 'No One Lives'), Genevieve Alexandra and Liane Balaban all co-star in the movie hitting UK theatres this March. Check out the new Nsfw clip below....
- 1/18/2013
- Horror Asylum
Maniac
Stars: Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, Liane Balaban, Morganne Slemp, Genevieve Alexandra, America Olivo, Sammi Rotibi, Sal Landi, Dan Hunter, Megan Duffy | Written by Alexander Aja, Gregory Levasseur | Directed by Franck Khalfoun
After helming remakes of The Hills Have Eyes and Piranha, the gang behind the “trapped in a parking lot with a psycho” film P2 reunite for yet another remake of a 70s horror movie, this time the notorious video nasty starring Joe Spinelli and directed by William Lustig - Maniac. Only this time it’s Frodo’s turn to go on a homicidal trip!
Yes, everyone’s favourite hobbit Elijah Wood steps into the shoes of Joe Spinelli as the deranged Frank, owner of a quasi-abandoned mannequin store and all-round creepy dude who, to the outside world, seems like a typical loner. However Frank has issues, lots of them – migraines, hallucinations, strange Ocd-like compulsions – this is a man...
Stars: Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, Liane Balaban, Morganne Slemp, Genevieve Alexandra, America Olivo, Sammi Rotibi, Sal Landi, Dan Hunter, Megan Duffy | Written by Alexander Aja, Gregory Levasseur | Directed by Franck Khalfoun
After helming remakes of The Hills Have Eyes and Piranha, the gang behind the “trapped in a parking lot with a psycho” film P2 reunite for yet another remake of a 70s horror movie, this time the notorious video nasty starring Joe Spinelli and directed by William Lustig - Maniac. Only this time it’s Frodo’s turn to go on a homicidal trip!
Yes, everyone’s favourite hobbit Elijah Wood steps into the shoes of Joe Spinelli as the deranged Frank, owner of a quasi-abandoned mannequin store and all-round creepy dude who, to the outside world, seems like a typical loner. However Frank has issues, lots of them – migraines, hallucinations, strange Ocd-like compulsions – this is a man...
- 8/26/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
We've updated our Film4 Fright Fest line-up story with tons of images. Read on to see what you may have missed and what's brand spanking new! Dig it!
Programme - Screen 1
Thursday Aug 23
Opening Film - The Seasoning House (World Premiere)
Special make-up prosthetics and splatter genius Paul Hyett makes his directorial debut with a harrowing exploration into tense claustrophobia, hard-hitting action and rollercoaster suspense. In a Balkan brothel, where girls kidnapped by soldiers in war-torn zones are prostituted to the military and civilians alike, Angel (Robin Day) is the deaf mute orphan enslaved to care for the inmates. But unbeknownst to her captors, she moves between the walls and crawlspaces of the seasoning house planning her escape. Psychological horror in the nerve-shredding Alfred Hitchcock and Roman Polanski style but with an ultra-modern twist.
89 mins Director: Paul Hyett UK 2012
Rosie Day – Angel
Sean Pertwee – Goran
Kevin Howarth – Viktor
David Lemberg...
Programme - Screen 1
Thursday Aug 23
Opening Film - The Seasoning House (World Premiere)
Special make-up prosthetics and splatter genius Paul Hyett makes his directorial debut with a harrowing exploration into tense claustrophobia, hard-hitting action and rollercoaster suspense. In a Balkan brothel, where girls kidnapped by soldiers in war-torn zones are prostituted to the military and civilians alike, Angel (Robin Day) is the deaf mute orphan enslaved to care for the inmates. But unbeknownst to her captors, she moves between the walls and crawlspaces of the seasoning house planning her escape. Psychological horror in the nerve-shredding Alfred Hitchcock and Roman Polanski style but with an ultra-modern twist.
89 mins Director: Paul Hyett UK 2012
Rosie Day – Angel
Sean Pertwee – Goran
Kevin Howarth – Viktor
David Lemberg...
- 7/3/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
An incomplete French teaser trailer, unfortunately. But what you do get (around 90 seconds) is pretty intense, it is in English, and more importantly, Elijah Wood is pretty wicked. Really, who knew Frodo Baggins could be so scary? The film is currently selling over at Cannes, so who knows when we’ll get the full trailer/teaser, but when we do get it we will update this post. Until then, this will just have to do. Just when the streets seemed safe, a serial killer with a fetish for scalps is back and on the hunt. Frank is the withdrawn owner of a mannequin store, but his life changes when young artist Anna appears asking for his help with her new exhibition. As their friendship develops and Frank’s obsession escalates, it becomes clear that she has unleashed a long-repressed compulsion to stalk and kill. Also starring America Olivo, Nora Arnezeder,...
- 5/17/2012
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Maniac remake actress Nora Arnezeder of Safe House, talks Maniac remake starring Elijah Wood Nora Arnezeder spoke to ShockTillYouDrop about her part in the remake of William Lustig's 1980 movie Maniac. The original film told of a serial killer who randomly picks female victims in New York, seeing them as vengeance for all the years under the care of his abusive mother. The remake's being helmed by Franck Khalfoun (Piranha, P2, High Tension) from the script by Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur, based on the original screenplay by William Lustig. Cast also includes America Olivo, Liane Balaban, Morgane Slemp, Sal Landi, Sammi Rotibi and Genevieve Alexandra...
- 1/31/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Maniac remake actress Nora Arnezeder of Safe House, talks Maniac remake starring Elijah Wood Nora Arnezeder spoke to ShockTillYouDrop about her part in the remake of William Lustig's 1980 movie Maniac. The original film told of a serial killer who randomly picks female victims in New York, seeing them as vengeance for all the years under the care of his abusive mother. The remake's being helmed by Franck Khalfoun (Piranha, P2, High Tension) from the script by Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur, based on the original screenplay by William Lustig. Cast also includes America Olivo, Liane Balaban, Morgane Slemp, Sal Landi, Sammi Rotibi and Genevieve Alexandra...
- 1/31/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Maniac remake actress Nora Arnezeder of Safe House, talks Maniac remake starring Elijah Wood Nora Arnezeder spoke to ShockTillYouDrop about her part in the remake of William Lustig's 1980 movie Maniac. The original film told of a serial killer who randomly picks female victims in New York, seeing them as vengeance for all the years under the care of his abusive mother. The remake's being helmed by Franck Khalfoun (Piranha, P2, High Tension) from the script by Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur, based on the original screenplay by William Lustig. Cast also includes America Olivo, Liane Balaban, Morgane Slemp, Sal Landi, Sammi Rotibi and Genevieve Alexandra...
- 1/31/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
With the remake of William Lustig's classic slasher film Maniac already creating a noteworthy buzz in the industry, we learned today from IMDb that several updates have been added to a cast which already features Elijah Woods as Frank Zito, along with Nora Arnezeder and Genevieve Alexandra. Now we know what your thinking, and we concur, IMDb isn't always the most reliable source for news, so please take these updates with a grain of salt until…...
- 12/9/2011
- Horrorbid
Some interesting casting news is coming out of the IMDb (so take that for what it's worth) pertaining to the remake of William Lustig's classic slasher film Maniac. The cause of all of our killer's lunacy has been chosen ... and more!
According to the site America Olivo (pictured; Friday the 13th, Bitch Slap) will play the mother of Frank (Elijah Wood) in Franck Khalfoun's remake of the 1980's classic Maniac.
Other casting news includes Morgane Slemp (Hostel: Part III, R.I.P.D., Dracula 3D, Total Recall), Sal Landi (Poe), Dan Hunter, Freedom (Gangster Squad), Délé Ogundiran, Steffinnie Phrommany, and Joshua De La Garza co-starring alongside previously announced Nora Arnezeder and Genevieve Alexandra.
Directed by Franck Khalfoun and produced by Alexandre Aja and Gregory Lavasseur, Maniac casts Wood in the role of a serial killer who works at a shop that sells antique mannequins. He finds victims on the Internet and stalks them like prey,...
According to the site America Olivo (pictured; Friday the 13th, Bitch Slap) will play the mother of Frank (Elijah Wood) in Franck Khalfoun's remake of the 1980's classic Maniac.
Other casting news includes Morgane Slemp (Hostel: Part III, R.I.P.D., Dracula 3D, Total Recall), Sal Landi (Poe), Dan Hunter, Freedom (Gangster Squad), Délé Ogundiran, Steffinnie Phrommany, and Joshua De La Garza co-starring alongside previously announced Nora Arnezeder and Genevieve Alexandra.
Directed by Franck Khalfoun and produced by Alexandre Aja and Gregory Lavasseur, Maniac casts Wood in the role of a serial killer who works at a shop that sells antique mannequins. He finds victims on the Internet and stalks them like prey,...
- 12/9/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
According to the unreliable IMDb, the incredibly sexy America Olivo (Friday the 13th, Bitch Slap) will play the mother of Frank (Elijah Wood) in Franck Khalfoun's now-filming remake of the 1980's classic Maniac. They also report that Morgane Slemp, Sal Landi, Dan Hunter, Freedom, Délé Ogundiran, Steffinnie Phrommany and Joshua De La Garza will also star alongside previously announced Nora Arnezeder and Genevieve Alexandra. Produced by Alex Aja, "Wood plays the role of a serial killer who works at a shop that sells antique mannequins. He finds victims on the Internet and stalks them like prey, all the while suffering from hallucinations that throw him back into the past, when he was abused by his own mother. In his twisted mind, he gains a measure of revenge against his mother with each kill."...
- 12/9/2011
- bloody-disgusting.com
We recently brought you news about "Lord of the Rings" star Elijah Wood headlining a remake of William Lustig's sleazy horror classic, "Maniac." It did seem strange that the sweet and gentle Frodo would be playing a perverse psychopath hunting women in his spare time, but we were — dare we say — kind of excited to see how he'd pull it off.
Alexandre Aja ("Piranha," "Haute Tension") is producing the remake that finds Wood as a creepy killer working at an antique mannequin shop (of course). He hunts for his victims through the Internet, and like the original character Frank, has massive mommy issues. The Daily Mail grabbed some stabby snaps of the actor in action (his victim is played by Genevieve Alexandra), so click on over to see Wood get his "Maniac" on.
Elijah Wood goes crazy in The Office Guest!
We sliced our way through this week's horror...
Alexandre Aja ("Piranha," "Haute Tension") is producing the remake that finds Wood as a creepy killer working at an antique mannequin shop (of course). He hunts for his victims through the Internet, and like the original character Frank, has massive mommy issues. The Daily Mail grabbed some stabby snaps of the actor in action (his victim is played by Genevieve Alexandra), so click on over to see Wood get his "Maniac" on.
Elijah Wood goes crazy in The Office Guest!
We sliced our way through this week's horror...
- 12/1/2011
- by Alison Nastasi
- MTV Movies Blog
Elijah Wood ('Sin City', 'Happy Feet 2') has been snapped on the set of horror remake 'Maniac' being...well a maniac! Wood stars in the Franck Khalfoun ('P2') helmed redo of William Lustig's slasher flick from 1980 and plays antique mannequin salesman and deranged murderer Frank Zito. In the new on-set pics you can see Elijah giving some poor young lady (played by Genevieve Alexandra) a good old fashioned stabbing with his buck knife. Khalfoun has previously stated that the movie would be shot largely from Zito's point of view and of course a horror remake wouldn't be official if it didn't have Alexandre Aja attached. Aja, responsible for helming remakes 'The Hills Have Eyes', 'Mirrors' and 'Piranha 3D', will produce and also co-wrote the new script along with Gregory Levasseur. French actress Nora Arnezeder ('...
- 12/1/2011
- Horror Asylum
Coming courtesy of the Daily Mail, here are the very first images of actor Elijah Wood in the remake of te controversial slasher movie Maniac, which was originally directed by WIlliam Lustig and starred the late Joe Spinelli as Frank Zito, the serial killing maniac of the title. His victim in these photos? She’s played by actress Genevieve Alexandra.
For those unfamiliar with the original, the film follows:
…a serial killer who works at a shop that sells antique mannequins. He finds and stalks victims on the Internet, while suffering from hallucinations that take him back to the past, where he suffered abuse at the hands of his own mother. In his twisted mind, he gets some degree of revenge against his mother with each murder he commits.
For those unfamiliar with the original, the film follows:
…a serial killer who works at a shop that sells antique mannequins. He finds and stalks victims on the Internet, while suffering from hallucinations that take him back to the past, where he suffered abuse at the hands of his own mother. In his twisted mind, he gets some degree of revenge against his mother with each murder he commits.
- 11/30/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Earlier this month it was revealed that Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings) has been cast as the lead character in the upcoming remake of "Maniac," the classic 1980 slasher film. And today, we have the first photos from the set, featuring shots of Wood stabbing a woman (Genevieve Alexandra). Check out the photos below. In "Maniac," Wood plays the role of a serial killer who works at a shop that sells antique mannequins. He finds victims on the Internet and stalks them like prey, all the while suffering from hallucinations that throw him back into the past, when he was abused by his own mother. In his twisted mind, he gains a measure of revenge against his mother with each kill. The new movie is directed by Frank Kahlfoun (P2) and produced by Alexandre Aja (Piranha 3D, The Hills Have Eyes). Set Photos: (click to enlarge)...
- 11/30/2011
- WorstPreviews.com
If there's one thing you're going to take away from the following three behind-the-scenes images from the set of the Maniac remake, it's this - Elijah Wood is Not screwing around. We like what we see!
The Daily Mail scored the images that you see below featuring Wood in character, knife held high and victim (Genevieve Alexandra) at his feet. The good natured Mr. Frodo would shit himself at the sight of such a scene.
Directed by Franck Khalfoun and produced by Alexandre Aja and Gregory Lavasseur, Maniac casts Wood in the role of a serial killer who works at a shop that sells antique mannequins. He finds victims on the Internet and stalks them like prey, all the while suffering from hallucinations that throw him back into the past when he was abused by his own mother. In his twisted mind he gains a measure of revenge against his mother with each kill.
The Daily Mail scored the images that you see below featuring Wood in character, knife held high and victim (Genevieve Alexandra) at his feet. The good natured Mr. Frodo would shit himself at the sight of such a scene.
Directed by Franck Khalfoun and produced by Alexandre Aja and Gregory Lavasseur, Maniac casts Wood in the role of a serial killer who works at a shop that sells antique mannequins. He finds victims on the Internet and stalks them like prey, all the while suffering from hallucinations that throw him back into the past when he was abused by his own mother. In his twisted mind he gains a measure of revenge against his mother with each kill.
- 11/30/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Elijah Wood probably hasn't done any killing since his time spent in Middle Earth but now he's back with a vengeance! A month or so ago it was announced that Elijah would star in the remake of William Lustig's original film Maniac. The film is set to somewhat film from the view of the killer himself. In the photos below we see Elijah attacking his victim, actress Genevieve Alexandra with the cameras right up close for some good shots.The movie f…...
- 11/30/2011
- Horrorbid
Bloody Disgusting exclusively broke the news before Thanksgiving that Nora Arnezeder (Safe House) and Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings) have been cast as "Anna" and "Frank", respectively, in Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Piranha 3D, Mirrors, High Tension) and producing/writing partner Grégory Levasseur's remake of William Lustig's classic 1980 slasher Maniac. Now we've landed the first two images featuring Wood attacking actress Genevieve Alexandra. As previously reported, Aja and Levasseur will be reteaming with P2 helmer Franck Khalfoun. Khalfoun will be directing from a screenplay by Aja and Levasseur. In the original film, "a schizoid serial killer randomly stalks and kills various young women in New York, which he sees as revenge for the mistreatment he got while being raised by his own abusive mother."...
- 11/30/2011
- bloody-disgusting.com
Shock told you just before Thanksgiving the Maniac remake would be rolling cameras this week in Los Angeles. Now, photos from the shoot have appeared at Daily Mail, giving you a look at star Elijah Wood attacking his prey (actress Genevieve Alexandra). Franck Khalfoun ( P2 ) directs with Alex Aja on producing duties. Wood plays a mannequin store owner who stalks women via the Internet and, later, kills them. Knb Efx is providing the gore gags. If early reports are true, many of the kills will be seen only through the eyes of the "maniac" himself.
- 11/29/2011
- shocktillyoudrop.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.