20 Cult Horror Movies You Must See Before You Die
8. Maniac (1980)
The best exploitation films make you feel like a dirtbag simply by association. Watching them, whether you’re in a movie theater full of like-minded fans or alone on your comfiest couch, you’re repulsed but also weirdly fascinated: "How could someone make something so depraved? Why am I voluntarily watching this?"
Like the best exploitation films, Maniac leaves you itching for a long, hot shower to wash away any secondhand sweat and grime. The film begins with a particularly nasty beachside murder where the viewer is looking through the eyes of Frank Zito (Joe Spinell), a psychotic killer and the main character. As the film progresses, we follow Frank and get a firsthand look at what life is like for a serial killer. Here’s a hint, it’s creepy and gross.
Maniac has been hailed as one of the most troubling pictures ever made. Gruesome effects by Tom Savini highlight the feature and adds even more to the already severely grim atmosphere. People have called the film an abomination, filthy trash, and even the worst of the worst. In other words, it's a must-see.