Two Los Angeles police detectives hunt for a serial killer who randomly chooses his victims from a phone directory.
Acting
Judd Nelson fully commits to unhinged, dialing every scene to 11.
Practical Effects
Grungy LA locations that reek of authentic late-'80s desperation.
Director
William Lustig
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
William Lustig made this between 'Maniac' and 'Maniac Cop' because apparently he had a type. The phone book gimmick was reportedly inspired by real '70s serial killer David Berkowitz, who also claimed random victim selection.
This bombed so hard it killed Orion Pictures' brief flirtation with horror, then became a USA Network late-night staple where ironic Gen-X kids discovered it.
US
