Shia LaBeuf has been directing shorts before 'Maniac' and he has been accused plain plagiarism. Though 'Maniac' does not seem very original film either it is more homage than a rip off of 'Man Bites Dog' where serial killer is followed by documentary crew. In this short film there are two serial killers followed by documentary filmmakers. The scene with killer and the kid is borrowed straight from more superior 'Man Bites Dog'. There isn't much plot in this film as we only see the overly stylized killing spree. Style over substance film, but Shia shows he has some style with nice hand-held cinematography.
'Maniac' is nice homage to 'Man Bites Dog' (there can be seen the original's poster on the wall at the hotel scene) but it doesn't but much new on the table. The film seems more as a practice of filmmaking than actual film with story.
