Frankie: Maniac Woman Review (Non-Spoiler)
Every now and then a horror movie sneaks up on you. I went into Frankie: Maniac Woman knowing almost nothing about it, and that turned out to be the best way to watch it. I heard about this movie earlier this year even spoke about it coming to theatres but that was about it. Unfortunately this movie did not come to my part of Canada so I had to wait.
I was on a mission to go and find this movie so I can watch it, and I lucked out!! I went to Youtube and was able to purchase the digital copy. I honestly was expecting a fun little bloodbath and by the end I was thinking, why the hell isn’t more people talking about this one?
Frankie is an aspiring singer songwriter in L.A. trying to make it while dealing with a bunch of heavy shit from her past, the usual industry nonsense, misogyny and the pressure about how she is supposed to look. Eventually she gets friggen tired of the bullshit and double standards. That’s all I am going to say right now. The less you know going in, the better!
What surprised me is that it is not just another revenge slasher with cool kills (though the kills are superb and tasty the practical effects are EXCELLENT!) There is actual weight underneath the gore. This is NOT a mindless revenge killing slasher, it is so much more. It digs into body image, trauma, and the crap women in entertainment get put through without ever feeling like it’s lecturing you. The horror and the personal stuff feed off each other instead of one feeling tacked on.
You can feel the influences in this movie. Bits of The Substance, some pure Texas Chainsaw energy, a sprinkle of grindhouse grit, flashes of old Maniac (Joe Spinell would be proud) hell even Machete style attitude and feel would make Danny Trejo proud as well. It never feels like a rip off though. It just has that same ” we’re gonna do this our way and make it messy” energy that Tarantino and Rodriguez used to bring to the table.
The makeup in this movie really did it for me. Everything looks sticky, messy and wet in a good way. No AI or digital blood here. The cinematography matches it as well. Grimy and stylish at the same time, it is beautiful. Dina Silva (who also co-wrote this) is really good as Frankie. Unlike other slasher you really start caring for her, which makes everything that happens later hit much harder. Definitely a different feel than most slashers out there. She also wrote and performed some of the songs and they fit the character instead of just sitting there as a soundtrack filler. By the end I was sitting there thinking I want more of this character that I NEED more of Frankie! I feel that there is still story left, I would not mind seeing a sequel I think the horror genre NEEDS no it WANTS a female slasher that is kick ass one that can stand up next to Ghostface, Leatherface, and Jason.
Overall this was one of the bigger pleasant surprises I’ve had seen in the horror genre lately. Good practical effects, solid performances, a soundtrack that actually slaps and enough going on under the surface that it sticks with you even after the credits roll.
Now if you are looking to watch this movie you can rent it or buy it on Youtube, Amazon Prime. I do know the creators are looking to have a physical release and I will update you as we find out.
Until next time, stay spooky.
🦇Kat Korpse (ReAnimateHer), Queen of Scream
Director: Pierre Tsigaridis
Writers: Dina Sila and Pierre Tsigaridis
Production company: Two Witches Films
If you would like to see more of my reviews
It is I the queen of scream, the puzzle box princess, her horror highness ReAnimateHer.
I am a Horror Junkie with a big appetite for blood, guts, and arse! I create live content on my website and on Twitch.tv/ReAnimateHer