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Multiple Maniacs

Play trailer Poster for Multiple Maniacs Released Apr 10, 1970 1h 30m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
The Cavalcade of Perversion, a traveling freak-show, is a front for a band of psychotic kidnappers and murderers.
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Multiple Maniacs

Critics Reviews

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Steve Rose Guardian Only John Waters could stage a Charles Manson-style slaughter then think: "This could really do with a giant-lobster rape scene to spruce it up." Rated: 3/5 Feb 16, 2017 Full Review John Semley Globe and Mail For all its ostensible unpleasantness, Multiple Maniacs is cheapo, indie, queer American cinema at its most adversarial and thrillingly vicious. Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 5, 2016 Full Review Neil Genzlinger New York Times Is it some kind of lost masterpiece? No. It's merely an interesting milestone on the path to Mr. Waters's better-known works ... Aug 4, 2016 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand ... quite possibly the trashiest and most tasteless film to get the Criterion treatment. And I say that with love and appreciation. Jul 5, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy It still retains its ability to surprise, even if modern society has put a damper on its ability to always shock. Rated: 3/4 Apr 10, 2022 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Waters, as always, doesn't fall short of his promise in this sleazy, tawdry, hilarious harpooning of manners and mores. Rated: 3/5 Sep 11, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brooke S It was a movie that made me think what is going on. It was funny, and just like a silly movie. I couldn't take it seriously. Espically the end I was just like okay...what is this lobster doing like... Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review Angela C This was my first time watching one of John Waters film and it was interesting to say the least. Its not exactly my cup of tea because it left me confused for some parts and the fact that the main girl was just killing whoever and even ate her lovers heart. I have to say I was not expecting the lobster to come out while she was just losing her mind and I was a little taken back but not in a good way. Even though I wasn't a total fan of the movie I understand that Waters films are in this trash like fashion so I wouldn't discourage anyone for liking films like these. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/06/25 Full Review Sami A Watched this movie for my Cult Film and TV class and im glad it was assigned or I might have not watched it. It definitely gives a 70s vibe which is emphasized, in my opinion, by the scenes where the rock music kicks in. It strikes me as a dark comedy especially with the scene with the lobster! The acting and line delivery, whether intentional or not, strengthened the feeling of this being a dark comedy but I found it engaging and hilarious. So much happened in this movie but it didn't feel like things were out of place or going off track which made it easier to watch and kept me locked in till the end. Would definitely watch again with a group of friends. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/04/25 Full Review Alex C This is my first time watching a John Waters film, but to my surprise it was a very interesting but weird watch. The opening scene introduced you a group of interesting characters and Divine, who is a very crazed individual. The story to this film is very scattered, and left me confused at times, but the dialogue flowed well. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/02/25 Full Review cinthya o As weird as I thought it was initially, I was able to understand where the storyline was kind of heading towards. Insane murderers being insane murderers. I was shocked by a lot of the scenes specifically the rosary in the church. I did not expect that at all…I thought it was very strange but interesting how they managed to incorporate the story of God while showcasing such an extreme scene. I did like how the movie had minimal cuts and seemed to just flow through as the actors expressed themselves very naturally. It felt more real. The lobster at the end was the most unexpected and unique twist in this movie. I would have expected anything else to happen as Divine was going insane but that. What a great way to capture the monstrosity that Divine and the movie wanted to portray. Great watch overall. Not like anything I’ve seen before personally. First time seeing a John Water’s film but not the last. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/01/25 Full Review Stephen C LOL, crossdressing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/29/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Multiple Maniacs

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Movie Info

Synopsis The Cavalcade of Perversion, a traveling freak-show, is a front for a band of psychotic kidnappers and murderers.
Director
John Waters
Producer
John Waters
Screenwriter
John Waters
Distributor
American Home Entertainment, New Line Cinema, Cinema Group, Film-Makers' Cooperative
Production Co
Dreamland
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 10, 1970, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Aug 5, 2016
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$25.0K
Runtime
1h 30m
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