Wow. Just wow. The MANIAC remake has gotten a very NSFW international trailer and it is jaw droppingly impressive. Not to mention lurid, sexual, gory, and disturbing. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the MANIAC remake may out MANIAC the original MANIAC!
As it has been reported, the film appears to be predominately from Elijah Wood’s psychopathic point-of-view. The results have even more of a gialli feel than the William Lustig/Joe Spinell Grindhouse classic that inspired it (though I sort of miss that film’s more vivid color palette). Also, Elijah Wood, an actor who couldn’t be less like original MANIAC Joe Spinell if he tried, appears to be turning in his most chilling performance to date.
The remake, directed by Franck Khalfoun (P2) and produced by Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur, also stars America Olivo (pictured below), Nora Arnezeder, Liane Balaban, Sammi Rotibi, Megan Duffy, and Jan Broberg. The film is getting released in France December 26. There’s no word on a North American release date just yet, but IFC Midnight will be handling it, so sit tight. And, while you’re at it, brace yourself for MANIAC with the trailer below.
Synopsis: 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 Frank is the withdrawn owner of a mannequin store, but his life changes when young artist Anna appears asking for his help with her new exhibition.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.