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Maniac is a 2012 American psychological thriller film directed by Franck Khalfoun and written by Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur, and C.A. Rosenberg. The movie is a remake of the 1980 horror movie of the same name, directed by William Lustig. Elijah Wood stars as Frank Zito, a disturbed and homicidal mannequin shop owner who is plagued by hallucinations and delusions.

The movie is a dark, disturbing, and intense exploration into the mind of a serial killer. Frank has a traumatic childhood that shapes his psyche and leads him down a path of violence and bloodshed. He becomes obsessed with women, and as he stalks his prey, we are privy to his distorted and fragmented thoughts. Frank believes that by killing women and collecting their scalps, he can somehow transcend his own pain and find a sense of release.

The movie is shot in the first person point of view, which helps create a sense of intimacy with the audience and makes us feel complicit in Frank's crimes. We witness his murders in gruesome detail, and feel the full impact of his sick and twisted mind. The camera work is shaky and disorienting, which further adds to the feeling of being inside Frank's head.

The movie also explores themes of sexuality, power, and control. Frank's relationships with the women in his life are complex and fraught with tension. His interactions with his mother (played by America Olivo) are particularly disturbing, and reveal the roots of his psychological trauma.

One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is the use of mannequins as a metaphor for Frank's own detachment from reality and his inability to connect with other people. He sees the mannequins as beautiful and perfect, and tries to recreate them in his own image. His own damaged psyche is reflected in the broken and imperfect mannequins that litter his shop.

Despite the dark subject matter, the movie has a strong sense of style and visual flair. The neon-soaked streets of Los Angeles provide a vivid backdrop for the action, and the electronic soundtrack by Rob is haunting and hypnotic.

The performances in the movie are all strong, particularly Elijah Wood's portrayal of Frank. He manages to find a humanity in the character that makes him both terrifying and tragic. Nora Arnezeder plays Anna, a young artist who becomes entangled in Frank's web, and her performance provides a much-needed ray of light in the darkness.

In conclusion, Maniac is a challenging and unsettling movie that explores the depths of human depravity. Its depiction of violence and sexuality is graphic and confrontational, and is not for the faint of heart. However, it is also a stylish and well-crafted piece of filmmaking that deserves to be seen by those with a strong stomach and an appreciation for challenging cinema.