Maniac Cop Review: A Cult Classic Revisited

Imagine Michael Myers as a cop and you have a good idea of the main protagonist in Maniac Cop. A seemingly indestructible police officer, he kills innocent people and spreads fear of the uniform over New York City, damaging the reputation of the police department. There’s a lot of subtext that can be taken from the plot, and while it does touch on the morality of police brutality, this isn’t a social study – this is a film about a vengeful murderer on a rampage.

When a young waitress is brutally murdered on her way home from work, the two suspects claim a police officer was responsible for the killing. Lieutenant Frank McCrae (Tom Aitken) isn’t as pessimistic as his colleagues, believing a cop could be responsible. His bosses could agree as they are keen on suppressing some details as the bodies pile up. Elsewhere, Ellen Forrest (Victoria Catlin) suspects her husband Jack, (Bruce Campbell) is the killer and as efforts are made to pin the murders on Jack, McCrae is convinced the real killer is at large.

Directed by William Lustig, Maniac Cop is a popcorn-munching B-movie with inventive kills and packed with suspense. It’s a slasher movie doused in exploitation that has a surprising amount of heart as we delve into the backstory of what made the officer turn evil. The film boasts an impressive cast of Aitken, Bruce Campbell and Richard Roundtree (as the mayor). This would be Campbell’s first movie without Sam Raimi (who has a cameo) and while the actor has no love for his time making it, it is a solid performance. Robert Z-Dar plays our mysterious killer, hiding in shadows to hide his identity. When we see him, the actor’s distinctive features make for a striking image even without prosthetics.

Jay Chattaway’s score is delightfully 80s with synth beats playing over violent strings. The melancholic whistling during the flashback scenes creates a stark contrast to the brutal violence, adding a layer of unexpected poignancy.. Yes, our antagonist is a brutal killer but it’s hard not to sympathise with his plight with Chattaway playing a large part.
Larry Cohen’s script has a depth that lifts Maniac Cop above other slashers of the time. The characters are interesting enough that we care for them while providing an origin story that doesn’t bog the movie down or harm the pacing.

Light on gore but heavy on violence, Maniac Cop is a fun movie deserving of its cult status. A remake has been rumoured for years with Nicholas Winding Refn at the helm. It’s unlikely to be a straight remake which is probably for the best and if he deviates from the source material to produce something more highbrow (do not dare say elevated), remember where it all began with the 1988 cult classic.