Rish Outfield's reviews
God, this movie was sick. Apparently it was critically lauded and has a cult following, but WOW, it wasn't your run-of-the-mill slasher movie. It was about a serial killer in the city, but told from his point of view. He lived in madness with a roomful of mannequins, and nailed his victims' scalps to the heads of his mannequin companions. This was never, not even for a moment, a fun ride. It gave us an intimate portrayal of insanity and the shame this murderer felt for his crimes. The result was a film more nauseating, disturbing, and disquieting than a stack of David Fincher movies. Tom Savini's makeup was fantastic (as usual), but in this context, it was hard to admire rather than wince at. There were moments (particularly in a deleted scene that followed the movie) when the killer was very charismatic and almost sympathetic, but, like a slap to the face, the brutality and realism of his lifestyle would come crashing back at me. In the end, I felt uncomfortable, and pretty much wished I hadn't seen this film.
Best Scare: In the end, when the killer gets his comeuppance--that was scary. And mannequins always frighten me.
I'd Recommend It To: Criminal psychologists and people who tell me, "Oh, I never have nightmares."

The tyranist's thoughts
Dark and creepy and disturbing. I like things dark and disturbing, but Maniac was almost too much for me. The best part of the movie is easily the gore. The characters are either flat or reprehensible. It was more than a little painful to watch.