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In 1980, a film entitled “Maniac!” appeared in theaters nationwide. It was both a box office and critical failure. The remake is much better, combining classic elements of horror with creative camera tricks and providing a whole new outlook on what future horror films have to offer. Featuring a compelling performance by Elijah Wood, “Maniac”is fun, entertaining and horrifically unsettling.

Frank Zito (Elijah Wood) is a mannequin restoration artist living alone in a loft. He is plagued by flashbacks of his abusive childhood in which his mother who worked as a prostitute abandoned him. Frank spends his days fixing his mannequins and spends his nights stalking young women before brutally murdering them. One day he encounters Anna (Nora Arnezeder), a photographer who takes an interest in Frank and his mannequins. The two form a relationship, leading to an inner conflict for Frank: should he pursue Anna or succumb to his impulses and kill her?

“Maniac” is a brilliantly crafted horror film. Shot entirely in point of view (POV) from Frank’s perspective, the audience experiences first hand what Frank is doing. One becomes disgusted by his actions, intrigued by his methods and enthralled by what a demented character Frank is. Only through mirrors, and the occasional break from POV, do you get a glimpse of Frank as a person, and that’s the brilliance of it.

In the sparing moments that glimpses of Frank’s face appear, do we get a sense of what he is feeling. Torment, anger, frustration are all seen in his expressions. He doesn’t want to kill women, but he has no control. While it isn’t redeeming of his character at all, it adds a lot and allows one to understand this psychotic murder. Elijah Wood brings this character to life in one of his most creepy and unsettling performances to date. He gives Frank a much-needed edge that few actors these days could have pulled off. He is compelling, sinister and a character that we want to know even more about.

The cinematography in this film is also quite amazing. So many tricks are used that you start to forget you’re watching a movie and begin to believe that you are Frank stalking his victims in the cold, dark night. Cinematographer Maxime Alexandre gives the film a creepy, isolated, distorted look. Atmospherically, it feels like a dream, or more so like a beautiful nightmare.

Aside from a script with occasional cheesy, underwhelming dialogue, “Maniac” is a horror film at its roots. With a malevolent, compelling performance by Wood, and effective cinematography, this is a film that will please horror fans across the board.