Maniac
Maniac Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 11, 2026
Movie Overview: Maniac
| Movie | Maniac |
| Release Year | 1963 |
| Director | Michael Carreras |
| Genre | Crime / Mystery / Horror / Thriller |
| Runtime | 86 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Maniac (1963) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Maniac are led by Kerwin Mathews . The supporting cast, including Nadia Gray and Donald Houston , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Maniac does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Crime films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Maniac has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Maniac
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1963, Maniac is a Crime, Mystery, Horror, Thriller film directed by Michael Carreras. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kerwin Mathews.
Ending Explained: Maniac
Maniac Ending Explained: Directed by Michael Carreras, Maniac wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core crime themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Kerwin Mathews. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the crime themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Maniac reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Maniac Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Maniac Based on a True Story?
Maniac draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. As a crime, mystery, horror, thriller film directed by Michael Carreras, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: Maniac uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch Maniac?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Kerwin Mathews or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: Maniac
All Cast & Crew →







Where to Watch Maniac Online?
Streaming HubManiac Parents Guide & Age Rating
1963 AdvisoryWondering about Maniac age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Maniac is 86 minutes (1h 26m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, Maniac is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1963 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maniac worth watching?
Maniac is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Maniac parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Maniac identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Maniac?
The total duration of Maniac is 86 minutes, which is approximately 1h 26m long.
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Critic Reviews for Maniac
I only recall Kerwin Matthews from his role as "Sinbad" back in 1958. He was an handsome enough man but hardly versatile as an actor. That's a shame because this could have been a much better intrigue had that role been better cast. As it is, he is "Jeff", a drifter who falls for "Annette" (Liliane Brousse) in a small French village. Her stepmother "Eve" (Nadia Grey) takes a bit of a shine to him, and uses her wiles to trick this rather gullible man into helping her organise the escape of her husband from the local asylum where he was imprisoned after committing a rather gruesome murder. Unbeknown to poor old "Jeff" though, that's not the real agenda for the manipulative "Eve" and the arrival of "Henri" (Donald Houston) raises the danger levels for "Annette"... Can he, and local policeman "Etienne" (George Pastell), thwart the lethal plan before it's too late? Sadly, Matthews is not the only dud in this lacklustre group of actors. Houston exudes not the slightest degree of menace and neither woman have that Jeanne Moreau touch that might have lent, particularly to the character that is "Eve". It's only ninety minutes, but it did drag rather - and the ending is a bit disappointing too. It's watchable, but don't expect to be blown away.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










