Maniac

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Maniac
Starring Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, Genevieve Alexandra, Brian Ames
Directed by Franck Khalfoun

Frank (Elijah Wood) owns a store where he restores mannequins, but he has a deadly obsession: finding a woman just like his recently deceased mother, who was also a prostitute.  As he stalks women at night, he kills them and brings their hair back home and puts them on his personal mannequins in his room.

One day he sees photographer Anna (Nora Arnezeder) taking pictures of his mannequins, and the two strike up a friendship, and Frank feels she might be the one for him.  However, those dreams are dashed when she reveals she has a boyfriend, and Frank begins stalking her like he did the other girls. 

"Maniac" is an extremely dark film and an interesting turn for Elijah Wood to take coming from his "Lord of the Rings" fame.  His portrayal as a psychotic loner is fascinating, and he delivers an impeccable performance, shot almost entirely from his point of view. 

The gore is surprisingly abundant in this film, from a girl getting a knife through the mouth to other brutal slayings, "Maniac" doesn't stop in its relentless violence.  However, instead of just being a typical slasher, it has a deep story at its center and it almost makes you root for and care for the psychopath.  A great tale of a modern Oedipus complex.

My Rating: B+

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